Stour and Orwell Walk - Cattawade to Lower Holbrook

21 November 2009

With Stephen's broken toe having eased a good deal, it was about time for another walk, and with Lucy going to some dog rally obedience at Holbrook, he set out on the Stour and Orwell Walk, a route which follows the northern side of the Stour estuary and both sides of the River Orwell to Felixstowe - and, particularly as all those rivers are tidal, may thus be said to be the precursor to the Suffolk Coast Walk that is on the "to do" list.


The starting point is the picnic site at Cattawade, from where we look across the flood plain of the River Stour.


Our way lies in the other direction. Cattawade Creek heads off to pass under the railway bridge, but our route first lies alongside the industrial estate at Cattawade


After passing the industrial estate, the Decoy Pond, the sewage works and crossing the railway line, we eventually emerge onto the river wall.


The view of the Stour from the river wall


Approaching Stutton Mill


Newmill Creek wends its way into the Stour


Looking past Stutton Ness to the cranes of Felixstowe


The beach below Stutton Park


Looking across Straight Reach to the southern side of the Stour


For a while we walk along the top of sandy cliffs


Looking down on Stutton Ness


We now turn north around Holbrook Bay, across which there is another distant view of Felixstowe's cranes


The remains of Graham's Wharf, which marks the point where we turn inland for a while


Crowe Hall Farm


Little Hall


Houses in Stutton


The playing fields in front of the grand Royal Hospital School


Markwell's Farm


Returning to the river again


On the right and in the middle distance is the old sea wall - still the route of the public footpath which a closer inspection will show crosses the water where the wall was breached. Fortunately the new sea wall carries a clear path even though it isn't a public right of way.


George on the new sea wall, with another section of the old wall in the distance


Several pictures here of this flock of birds which wheeled about very impressively...


Before suddenly all landing on the mud in unison.


Boats in Holbrook Creek


Looking back up Holbrook Creek. A short walk then took us up the lane and back to the car park.

Total 11.7 km, (11.4 km on the Stour & Orwell Walk) in 2 hours 49 mins.

Back to the Stour Valley Path Next Stour & Orwell Walk - onwards to Shotley Gate
 

 

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Unless otherwise stated, all images copyright (c) Stephen and Lucy Dawson