Back to reality...

We've been back several weeks now. The journey was uneventful despite the predicted bank holiday weekend traffic nightmare. We arrived home to a mountain of post including a Blue Peter badge for Eron! Washing, unpacking and sorting commenced. It didn't take long for everyone to slip into the usual ways of being, most of which involved screens. Gone were the golden breakfasts around the fire, the fun packed days and lazy evening meals. It was easy to feel more than a little glum as we all headed back to work and then school.

There was so much to miss about our two weeks under canvas but one thing that stands out is the feeling of being close to the wild, close to the weather and close to natures, sights, smells and rhythms. I find this to be invigorating for my soul and soothing for my spirit. The challenge, now that I'm back in the hamster wheel, is to find easy but meaningful ways to find a little of that closeness. One quick win is my means of commuting - by motorcycle. I've always thought that my motorbike is not just great fun but keeps me connected to the weather and the seasons. Another way is to enjoy a little of the wildness around the little town in which I live.

Last night and after a long stressful day, I decided to go for a walk in the evening. I knew it would get dark so took a torch. I walked the 2 and a bit miles to Tillington, walking into the hand painted sunset and popped in on Mum & Dad. I enjoyed a beer and installed a memory card in Dad's phone so that he could take thousands of photos of Scotland, their intended destination the following day. By the time all this was done it was dark. I was offered a lift back but declined. I thought about walking along the road side back to Petworth but considered this a cop-out. Instead I decided to walk across the fields and tracks in the darkness.

And what a fantastic walk it was. Setting off through the grave yard my neck hairs on end, I had to consciously decide to ignore the many films and TV programmes that told me the dark was not to be trusted. The more I walked though, the more the darkness felt comforting and blanket-like. I stopped several times either to tilt my head back and enjoy the stars or stand silently in the shadows. It felt like an unusual things to do, risky almost but mostly it felt good to be close again. 

Our Mantel piece full of memory pieces

Day Twelve: Home

The longer we stay the more this place feels like home but at the same time, we think of our home. Without saying it we are all aware that we will have to leave this place soon. The wind is going from our sails, we are all a little less patient with each other and we begin to dream up ways of continuing what we have here, at home. A mourning almost.

Today was another balmy day of warmth and sunshine. Bacon and egg baguettes for breakfast followed by reading, playing and relaxing. After a light lunch we headed off on our bikes for Earl Soham hoping for a refreshing drink at the Queen Victoria. Hopes were dashed when we arrived to a closed sign so we headed to the strange butcher, come deli, come cafe for some apple juice and cake. Reuben held the phone and was the "navigator" using a map App to track our progress. Noah was chirpy and chatty, loving his new found freedom. Having made the six or so miles to Earl Soham and back Noah had more in his legs so we carried on in to Framlingham for a half at the Station Inn.

Whilst in town Cadan popped to the Coop for pizza making supplies while we headed back. Although it was late afternoon at this point no one felt like eating pizza much less cooking it while it was still so hot. So we played badminton and chatted to Richard and Esther. It was nice to connect with her about her growing passion for the injustices in the Palastine. Later on Esther and Edith Peck joined Ben and Reuben for a game of Badminton on the lawn.

Once the day had cooled a little we settled down to make pizza. I used two thirds of a bag of bread flour and guessed at the other ingredients. 16 pizza's later we were stuffed and had plenty for the following days lunch. The evening was wonderful. The one-at-a-time pizza oven forced us to take things at a leisurely pace. We all sat around the fire laughing,  drinking, reminiscing and generally enjoying each other's company, eating as and when a pizza was ready. 

To top off this already amazing scenario, as we sat eating and chatting we began to hear the most amazing singing. It was almost angelic with deep rich harmonies and words sung with passion. It took a few moments to realise that the singing was coming from the farm house. The Gibbon family were all sat around singing. Another piece of Suffolk gold! We presumed that they were rehearsing for a performance at Greenbelt but also liked to think that it was in some way for us too. Priceless!

Day Eleven: Hot!

After several days of activities and outings we thought it would be good to have a day at the campsite. We'd also seen from the weather forecast that today was due to be extremely hot.

And so it turned out to be. Only a few minutes in the sun was bare able so we resorted to reading and playing in the shade. As always Naomi had a few tricks up her sleeve. Today these included a paddling pool, water slide, bubble maker and beads. To end the day we cooked lamb hot pot over a slow fire. As we knew it would be a while we went for a ride around the lanes. The pot was bubbling away when we got back but it was still a while,  dark in fact, before ate. The shallow fried potatoes where very tasty but the lamb joint was not. Very chewy and fatty. Intended for roasting really. Even so it was a tasty meal.

Every one is beginning to sense the holiday drawing to a close. There has been talk of next year, of highlights and even of school. For now though we remain here and must make the most of it.

Day ten: Awesome Aldeburgh

Still recovering from the awful nights sleep on Sunday, I'd gone to bed early. This meant that by 5:30am my eye lids had pinged open and I was ready to go. I always relish the challenge of sneaking out of the tent without waking anyone else and this morning it was mission successful! I was greeted by the most incredible colours in the sky at the far end of the field. Dawn was well under way and felt it rude to turn my back. So I positioned my chair grabbed a blanket and settled down to watch the artist at work. Every few minutes invisible strokes were added from the artists brush as the colours moved through pinks, oranges and yellows. What a privilege.

After another sausage, egg and toast breakfast fit for a king, we headed to Aldeburgh. This happy, higgledy-piggledy, seaside town is one of my favourites. First stop was the amazing ice cream parlour in the high street first. Noah enjoyed his ice cream in his usual inimitable style, eating it from the top and bottom at the same time. Lucky we still carry wipes!

The day included mooching in the high street, popping into bookshops and art galleries and then picnicking on the beach. I enjoyed another swim until a jellyfish floated passed. Then more mooching, this time around the marina, Reuben fancied buying a fishing boat after our fun at Thorpness Mere, before joining the cue for the famous Aldeburgh Fish n Chip shop. We enjoyed our meal at the clam before wandering home taking the scenic route and taking it slowly hoping that the headache stricken Noah would drop off and recover, which he did.

Famous Five,  snacks and snuggles then bed.

Day Nine: messing about on the mere

Another lazy morning. Fire started with last night's embers. Toast cooked and spread with proper butter. Washing hung out. Beautiful sunshine.

Naomi had put her mind to several fun things to make before we came away and had packed a few bits to help this happen. A couple of days ago we were tye dying and today it was kite making. Lots of fun a creativity but limited altitude or flight time.

The boys played on the hay bales again and built Lego crossbows again. We chatted with Prue who kindly donated three packs of pork sausages to our cause. Bangers and mash tonight then!

After lunch we headed to Thorpness Mere. We hired two rowing boats and messed about in the mere for an hour. We stopped off at some islands and explored the lake. All but the youngest two had a go at rowing. Cadan was a natural oarsmen. After a look around a junk shop which relieved Reuben of some more pocket monet we had a thermos flask tea on the beach before heading back to make the most delicious meal.

Day Eight: Castle Fun.

After a torturous night listening to terrible karaoke at 2 am from the Peck party revelers, we packed a picnic and cycled down to Framlingham Castle. Eron was most excited about this day. For the last three years he has gazed longingly at the crossbows in the Castle gift shop. This year he had saved enough to buy one and we headed straight to the shop once we'd parted with a sizable sum at the admissions desk.

This year we timed our visit to coincide with the Knights Tournament. Rather than the usual solitary entertainer teaching kids sword fighting techniques, there was a mass of medieval tents, suits of armour, jesters, musicians and reenacters. We cheered for the red knight from the South who sadly finished in last place after several rounds of knight fighting of varying sorts. Great fun! It went without saying that we also took a walk around the top of the walls and the grounds where we even had a quick game of twang!

The day was topped off by yet another camp fire culinary triumph. At Cadan's request we made his 'pizzaritos' but the piece-de-resistance were the pizza's made with a real dough base and baked in the Dutch oven. They were awesome and justified the £35 spent on the oven. This was washed down with an Adnams cider and St Peters Golden Ale and accompanied by lost of laughter and silliness around the fire.

The gazebos and equipment from last night's party are almost all gone and we have the meadow to ourselves again. The boys have been playing on the hay bales and Ben has been perfecting some ingenious Lego catapults. All is well at Red House Farm.

Day Seven: Celebration

We spent most of today watching and helping with the preparations for the big celebration taking place in 'our' field today. As the day went on more tents, PA, lights and bunting arrived as did the people to set them up. There was a tent full of photos of the great man including one of him with Naomi, her brothers and Dad.

The rain held off and the wind wasn't as dramatic as the forecast has warned. Various friends and family shared memories and reflections then as the light faded the music started. What a treat to hear Polly Gibbons live as well as the Fat Band (including our host Richard on bass. Who knew!). Mark who had helped piece together a gazebo two days before got a little drunk and gave it large on the dance floor in mismatched beach boys get up. He then got up and insisted the band join him in a rendition of knocking on heavens door. Priceless!

Whilst all this was going on we also played Lego, watched Toy Story 3 (tears from Noah and Reuben) and did some tie dying  (yes tie dying!). We also cooked creamy chicken curry with fresh chapatis during a break in the proceedings.

Day Six: Pottering

After all the walking yesterday everyone slept good and long. Rain was forecast for 11 so we had a quick breakfast and headed down to Framlingham on the bikes for the much anticipated smoothies at 221b Bakers.

We then pottered around the town dodging the showers which had come early and spent a good long time in the second hand book shop. Reuben has caught the bug for buying things and wants that new stuff feeling in every shop.

Pancakes with crispy bacon and cheese or an assortment of sticky sauces for lunch followed by general messing around. We played King Of Tokyo, did some washing and prepared for more rain which did come but brought the most vivid and beautiful double rainbow. 

As the week has gone on the preparations for celebration of John Peck's life have been going on. A variety of gazebos and big tents adorn the field and the beginnings of a PA system. The band popped in too including Polly who stopped for a natter.

Tonight's tea was burgers and kebabs from the butchers in Framlingham with some salady bits. I then used the coals to bake some bread in the Dutch oven while we watched harvest moon dance between the clouds. Can't wait to taste it!

Day five: birding at Minsmere

RSPB Minsmere today. Breakfast around the fire first of course. Today this consisted of smoked mackerel scrambled egg and toast. Seeded bread toasted on an open fire with real butter is something to behold! This was followed by another round of picnic making and more suncream.

We arrived in time to have lunch next to the Sand Martins then watch the bird ringing. We saw White Throats, Lesser White Throats, a Willow Warbler, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and a Wren all being ringed. The highlight though was seeing a Bee Eater. The last I saw one I was making my way through The Gambia. This one was a long way off so only a golden speck in the distance but still quite something!

The boys watched Toy Story when we got back and chilled by the fire. A more relaxed day is in order tomorrow.

Day Four: Beach Day

Today started with smoked mackerel and scrambled eggs on the fire then more picnic making before we headed off to sunny Southwold. As with last year we carefully chose today to head to the beach as the BBC weather app was displaying a big fat sunshine over Wednesday.

This year we paid for that lazy morning with a fight for a parking space. We found a great spot to set up camp by the pier and the boys set about digging, tunnelling and splashing. Ben and I enjoyed a fantastic swim in the strong surf and Noah made new friends.

Once the beach was done we headed into town for the obligatory refreshments at Adnams wine cellar. We also hunted for bargains in the junk shops and stocked up on books. Reuben bought his first chapter book which he set about reading as soon as we were back.

Chinese stir fry (including dumplings!) cooked on the fire and we were all fit for bed. Great day!

Day three: Brilliant Bike Ride

Another beautiful dawn on Red House Farm with the morning sun jewelling the dew on the freshly bailed meadow. Sausage butties and Frosties for breakfast followed by picnic making and prep for the days activities.

Back in the day some US military guys thought they saw strange lights in the sky. A UFO obviously! And the Forestry Commission have been cashing in ever since! The old air base surrounded by beautiful woodland is now open to picnickers and nature lovers and has planned walks and cycle routes as well as wooden climbing frames and den building material hidden around the forest. We have been here twice before and both times I've longed to be at the point where we coild all being able to make use of the cycle trails. With Noah's new found cycling skills this turned out to be the year!

We headed off with the trailer stuffed with four bikes and the little bike trailer for Reuben and two more bikes on the car. We arrived, assessed the options and plumped for the ambitious but dooable six mile route. Naomi packed a scummy picnic which we enjoyed after a couple of miles. Noah fell off a lot but we all had a brilliant time and arrived back dirty and worn out.

Mexican wraps on the fire followed by some Combine watching, sunset snaps and story time and the day was done. Beach tomorrow!

Day two: mooching, bike ride and gazebos

A morning of relaxing around the campsite and cooking up greasy breakfast treats was punctuated by news that a pro American skater was in town. A bit random but worth a look. We cycled down into the village and found the play park and skate ramps. As with most skate parks there was a lot of standing around and not a whole lot to see so we headed to the shops. Noah and Reuben spent some of their savings on Lego and we hunted for bargains in the charity shops before sauntering back to our camp site.

We arrived back to find Richard and two of his pals covered in sweat and scratching their heads. They were surrounded by gazebo polls and fragments of instructions eaten by mice.  About an hour later we had one frame cobbled together from two boxes. This was preparation for a Hobbitesque party planned for Saturday to mark the life of the late, great John Peck. A man held in great regard by Naomi and her family since his days of teaching at Glasgow bible college.

Gasebo erected, we spent the rest of the afternoon, building Lego, playing with water pistols, watching Pengiuins and cooking in our new Dutch oven whilst deciding on the week's activities.

Day one: The Journey Begins

After a tiring day of packing yesterday interupted only by trip see the recovering Esther Smitheram, we were ready to leave at 8:40 this morning. The obligatory list of "don't forget!" Items was carefully checked before departing with a quick prayer for a safe journey from Cadan.

The journey was mercifully uneventful and made a little easier thanks to a hastily thrown together playlist. We stopped a couple of times to stretch the legs and arrived at 12.30 in time for a picnic lunch in the field ahead of setting the tent up. Farmer Richard was sat in the garden with son Ben, peeling potatoes. Prue, farmers wife and Greenbelt founder, arrived home shortly after and was all smiles and hugs.

The last ten or so minutes of the drive was full of raucous shouts and laughter. As we wound our way through the lanes getting ever closer and passing familiar land marks the boys excitement began to fizz over. This carried on for most of the afternoon which was a little testing at times but for the most part we went with it.

It was lovely to be back in the field, sat under the old oak tree cooking chilli on an open fire sipping a mug of Kelly Kettle tea (or Adnams!) After a walk around the field to catch the sun set we settled down to a chapter or two (Famous Five for the youngest two) before bed. We'd made it!

Count Down Begins!

We've toyed with several ideas for a holiday this year. They all involved tents but featured some farther flung destinations. After much consideration of time spent in the car, money spent on camp sites and having to share ( yes share! ) the camp site, we have reverted to the same plan that we've gone with for the last three years.

Several years ago we were faced with not having a holiday unless we could call on someone with a piece of land on which we could pitch our huge tent. Up stepped Pru and Richard Gibbons at Red House Farm Framlingham.

Until this point, for me, holidays had always involved the A303 and a westerly heading. So it was with some scepticism that we headed east.

Needless to say we had a fantastic time and have been back every year since. We cook over a fire every meal time, go for bike rides and always visit the castle. Naomi and I have also been known to enjoy the fantastic produce of local breweries Adnams and Aspall 's. 

With one week to go the count down begins! Once again we have borrowed a trailer from the very generous Dan & Carla and today I started sorting through tents and equipment. My not insignificant task for the next 7 days is to not get too excited and ti stay focused at work trying not to drift into a day dream of fire side, sunset and cider.

Savour the Flavour

A week or so on from my epic walk-about and I'm left with the flavours of my experiences lingering in my mind like a rich and perfectly balanced meal lingers in the mouth. It was a time that has profoundly affected me in a way that I was not expecting. I was expecting a fun adventure with some amazing views and memorable encounters with nature. Of course I had all of that but what I dared not hope for was a deep and soul-refreshing mini-sabbatical!

The 'wild' has long offered such enriching encounters. Celtic Monks used to seek out wild places in which to get closer to the creator. They would head to places where nothing had a name, no roads, farms or houses. In the towns and villages from which they sought to escape everything had a name which related to a past event or person. In the great nameless wild they felt further from the time and place and closer to God. 

Obviously I didn't go to quite such extremes but the isolation and the hills did wonders for me. It took a few days to find a new rhythm of thought and routine but once in the groove I found a new way of being. Someone close to me has since remarked "Before the walk you were not yourself but your walk has done you the world of good, Remember your wow moments on your hard days. Never forget who Jonny is". So it wasn't just me. it really did make a difference!

So... other than some careful planning and some great weather I have since wondered what were the ingredients which had come together to form this feast for the soul? Some flavours remain a mystery still and I swill them around my mind trying to place them (a closely guarded secret of the master chef perhaps?) others I am able to name. A couple are toil & reward, separation & solitude. 



Toil & reward: walking 20 or more miles per day with a heavy pack was pretty tough. My feet were bruised, I had blisters, my knees ached and so did my hips. On each of the days there were moments of questioning why on earth I was doing it, moments were I thought I couldn't take another step. What I found beautiful though was that the level of toil put in was linked directly to the level of pleasure and enjoyment at reaching a camp site, resting, preparing a meal and perhaps being given a beer. So on the very same day that I'd wanted to throw in the towel I'd later be resting with a meal and a tent in the most beautiful surroundings feeling that I must be so blessed to be on this the holiday of a life time! 

Separation & solitude: It took several days for the windmills of my mind to slow and stop but stop they did. My thoughts were absorbed with the route, the view and the surroundings. In my everyday life I am constantly asked questions, all day long. This is fine and is a result of choices I've willing taken but it takes it's toll. To me apart from all of this was bliss. It brought a peace and calmness that still lingers now. I now know how to find that again and will be planning some mini escapes to the 'wild' and perhaps another long walk in the future. the West Highland Way perhaps...

Last leg(s)

I have walked 90 miles, crossed from Western to Eastern Hemisphere, through 3 counties, crossed 5 major rivers, used 4 different OS maps, eaten 13 rehydrated meals and stayed at 4 campsites and 1 B&B. And now I'm ready to come home!

The walk today was fantastic, the eastern downs living up to their reputation but I have blisters on my blisters (photos available on request) and everything hurts.

I have a short 10 mile walk down into Eastbourne tomorrow where I plan to savour the moment for a while before heading back by train.

I'm nursing my aches with a pint of Dark Star at the George in Alfriston before heading back to my little tent for one last cosy night under canvas.