Snape, Scones and a Scattered Shower

One amongst us offered to drive us to Snape today, for our final walk this trip: a circular walk to Friston (The Chequers, in case you were wondering) and by return through the woods, on the Sailor's Path back to the Maltings. After a gentle yet hot climb from the River Alde, we discovered that the quantity of water issued forth by a farmer's sprayer is startlingly refreshing on a hot day (the scattered shower of course). We'd seen the wet track along which we were walking and yet were surprised that having completed one full rotation, the sprayer didn't reach us until the second, when there was no mistaking its watery power!!

We'd planned the shade of the woods for the hot afternoon, followed a short stroll along the riverbank to the Maltings and it's tearoom (always cream before jam).

This has been our 41st Jolly Boys Outing, first beginning in 1998 completing the Lyke Wake Walk (42 miles across the North York Moors) and at least once per year at numerous venues across England and Wales all the way until 2020, when there were none. The year 2000 saw the Foot and Mouth outbreak, so the usual (for that time) May outing was delayed until September and since there have been two outings per year, latterly delaying the May bank holiday outing to early June to avoid the encroaching crowds.

There are few rules to the Jolly Boys Outing and whilst none have been documented, they are well understood to provide a canvas upon which resters, tourists, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, jokers, shoppers and pub goers can do as they please, without any pressure to join in with the main activity of walking whatsoever.

The Applefields Camp Site at Leiston is faultless, in case you're on the lookout for a quiet tent / caravan / motorhome friendly site.

The long weekend, wall-to-wall sunshine and company has been pure tonic - most welcome especially in these times.