February 2026 Update
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Welcome to the February Walks Update. I hope you have had a good start to the year. Jane is currently enjoying the summer in New Zealand, so I am sending this in her absence. It was good to see a great turnout for Jane's New Year's Day walk from Dunwich, a lovely walk to start the year and blow away the Christmas cobwebs. A couple of weekends ago some of the group completed the Winter Tanners, a tough and muddy 30-mile event - well done to them. This weekend was the marshals' Winter Poppyline walk. There was a group of 10 of us, and we were spoilt not only by the weather, but also by Sarah, Mel and Andy, who supported us in the group's new equipment storage trailer/mobile checkpoint. You may have seen some photos on the WhatsApp group.The set-up worked brilliantly and Mel's bean chilli was just what was needed at Felmingham. This year we have three events planned: The 10th Winter Poppyline (50 miles) on 14-15th February, The 3rd Rodent Wriggle (13.5, 23 and 30.5 miles) on 11th July and The 30th Flower of Suffolk (18 and 26 miles) on 4th October. If you have never marshalled before, but would like to have a go, we would love to hear from you. You would be made very welcome, shown what to do and get to join the marshals' walk if you would like to. Did you know that the group has over 500 members? There are lots of you out there that we have never met. Do come and join us on a social walk and meet like-minded people and maybe get to enjoy an area that is unfamiliar to you. This link will take you to all the upcoming events, but below is a summary of the next few walks. Don't forget, if you fancy a try out as a walk leader, contact Jane (janeaudsley@msn.com) - full training/support available. Sun 8th Feb 2026 Sizewell Shuffle- Note change to start. Now Dunwich Beach CP Group walk - 17 ml. 9 am start Dunwich Beach car park ( free parking) IP17 3EN Change to the original route due to path closures General Notes Please bring sufficient food & drink for the day Contact: Roger & Yvonne Tel: 07813402072 Email: y.osborne@hotmail.co.uk
Wed 11th Feb 2026 Winter Wednesday Lynford Loops Group Walk - 15ml. 9:30 Lynford Stag c.p, on A134 between Thetford & Mundford. OS Expl map 229. What three words: rift.costumed.sympathy. Refer to the Forestry Commission web site for more information: https://www.forestryengland.uk/lynford-stag. Note the c.p has a £3.00 charge; this is becoming commonplace for many Forestry Commission car parks From the c.p we head north toward Lynford Arboretum. Then skirt past the lakes & north to loop around High Ash. We then retrace our steps for a short distance before heading towards Ickburgh. We continue towards Mundford but turn off early & head back to Lynford Arboretum to have lunch making use of the Shepherds Baa snack shack (a very smart snack shack) & toilet. We then continue to Munford & loop around through the forest back to the car park General Notes Paths along the route are varied but mainly good. However, expect some wet grass & mud due to the time of year. There is a toilet at Lynford Arboretum (after 3km and again after 16km). The Shepherds Baa at Lynford Arboretum is well worth a look but don’t rely on it for sandwiches. There will also be a shop at Munford if anyone requires. Dogs welcome; there are some sections of the walk where dogs must be on a lead Contact Jon Inett Tel: 07799420492 Email jon1965@runbox.com Sat 14th - Sun 15th Feb 2026 The Winter Poppyline 2026 - Event Full Challenge Event - 50ml. 22.5 Hours. West Runton Scout Hut, Cromer Road A149, West Runton, Norfolk, NR27 9NQ (GR TG175428). 50 miles in 22.5 hours in the undulating coastal & rural landscape of NE Norfolk. Starts at 07:30 & 09.00; all to finish by 06:00 Sunday. Sun 22nd Feb 2026 Group Walk - 18ml. 9:00 Ship Lane c.p (off Broad Street), Ely, CB7 4BB. Expl map 226. What three words: Petulant, Monorail, Blink. c.p has no charge as long as you arrive after 08:30. Toilets are available at the start/finish. (GR TL544799). On leaving the c.p we head through Ely & past the Cathedral to pick up Hereward Way towards Little Downham. We continue north west & along droves around Fodder Fen. Lunch is likely to be slightly later than usual at Chettisham. We then progress towards & briefly along Fen Rivers Way & reach the outskirts of Ely. General Notes The terrain is varied throughout with limited undulation. Routes are generally good but there is a limited amount of unavoidable quiet road walking. We also cross the railway lines several times via level crossings. There is opportunity to buy food & drink in Ely. Dogs welcome but must be on a lead where required Contact Jon Inett Tel: 07799420492 Email Jon1965@runbox.com
Wed 25th Feb 2026 Group Walk - 14ml. 9:30 Playford Village hall, Hill Farm Road, Playford IP6 9DU. (GR TM214478). Setting off from Playford we will walk in a circuit through Grundisburgh, Hasketon and Woodbridge. Dogs welcome. Please bring enough food and drink to last the duration. C: Jane Audsley T: 07762057584. Email: janeaudsley@msn.com
Wed 4th Mar 2026 Winter Wednesday St Helens Hobble Group Walk - 15ml. 9:30 St Helens picnic site, off Santon Road, Thetford Forest, IP27 0TT. c.p has no charge. OS Expl map 229. What three words: charts.brings.clutches. https://www.forestryengland.uk/st-helens-picnic-site. (GR TL826875). From the picnic site we head towards Santon Downham, then handrail the railway line before deviating off towards Weeting. The next sections are in & out of the forest via Pilgrims Walk, Rougham Corner, Snake Wood, Grimes Graves, Santon Warren & back to St Helens General Notes There can be an early toilet stop at Santon Downham if required; beyond that there are no amenities. Paths along the route are varied but mainly good forest tracks. However, expect some wet grass & (hopefully only a little) mud due to the time of year. Please bring enough food & drink to last the entirety of the walk. Dogs welcome; there are some sections of the walk where dogs must be on a lead Contact Jon Inett Tel: 07799420492 Email jon1965@runbox.com Sun 8th Mar 2026 A Daytime DawdleGroup Walk - 18.5ml. 9:00 Stradbroke Community Centre, Wilby Road, Stradbroke IP21 5JN. Walking the short route of the Daffodil Dawdle via Weybread, Brockdish and Hoxne. Please bring sufficient food and drink for the day. Contact: Roger & Yvonne T: 07813402072. Email: y.osborne@hotmail.co.uk
We look forward to seeing you on a social walk or at an event soon. Best wishes Hilary |
