1. Waldringfield, Suffolk.

Details:- Start and Finish at Woodbridge Station - via Martlesham Creek, Waldringfield, Hemly, Newbourn and Martlesham. Distance - 12 miles; Walking Time - 4hrs 30mins; Avge Speed 2.6mph. Going:- Along Martlesham creek was muddier than a Mississippi mud pie; so I abandoned the river and walked the C roads and villages. Map:- OS Explorer 197. Progress:- Walked 12 - 488 to go. Photographs Link

Wildlife:- Greenshanks? close up; a flock of blackwits flying across my path, and a dead hedgehog on the road outside the RSPCA Animal Home in Martlesham - perhaps an accident waiting to happen.

Refreshments:- It was most refreshing seeing the word 'bugger' on a church notice board!

It's a trubute to John Waller the sporting parson of Hemly, in the form of a framed series of cartoons. In this one he's on his boat, 'Jesus' and casting his net out towards us. On the bank a local sage calls out:'You won't git bugger-all there bor! Why don't you cast your nets on the other ruddy side?!'

Surprise Of The Day:- In Hemly an old red phone box with phone in working order. BUT, it wasn't exactly the same as I remembered because it didn't smell of fags!

Aesthetic Highlight:- In Waldringfield Church and in Newbourn Church, two very good fonts. I think one was Copperplate Gothic and the other Times New Roman. But definateley not Wingdings.

Unrestrained Moment:- Taking a natural break out back in the churchyard at Newbourn. I'm sorry if anyone from the parish reads this, but in my long struggle between the call of god and nature, I find that nature usually wins out.

Most Unusual House Name:- St. Farm, Hemly. Do they pray to him for a good harvest?

Monstrosity of the Month:- The British Telecom Research Laboratories at Martlesham. Whover thought that skewed conning tower would be eye-catching in the pleasant sense of the word was a compleat twat!

BT: Still trying to get in touch with ET. The line's down!

Rant of the day:- Blatant fly tipping on the roadside just outside Newbourn. The Minority Spoiling for the Majority, Type No. 1356. Not high in the order of anti-social behaviour, but irritatingly irresponsible.

Payback Moment:- That first sip of tea and bite of date and nut slice in Notcutt Nursery tea rooms.