Unsung

62 z walks Clare &

ourists to West tend to Angie Jones thin and soon I’m feeling the full force, as head for the ‘likely suspects’ it roars in the trees. Head down, I battle of Lavenham, Long Melford discovers some on! and perhaps Kersey. But there fine walking I reach a sign and turn left to Assington are other pretty villages just country, and a Green. Thankfully the road drops and Tas worthy of a visit. If you take the B1063 soon it becomes more sheltered. To my to out of Clare (which I butcher selling left I can see the church tower already far will talk about later) you’ll find a narrow squirrel and away. There are sharp bends as the lane road that climbs for a mile before you follows the field boundaries. Small reach Poslingford. This is another of Moo & Blue pie streams trickle on either side. I come to a Suffolk’s lovely secrets. fork and take a diversion to Chipley I leave my car in The Street, outside the Abbey Farm built on the site of an Old School House (complete with bell), Augustine Priory founded in 1235. Clopton Hall right opposite St Mary’s Church where Among the Laurel bushes and Scots early daffodil spears show amidst pale Poslingford House Pines that line the drive I find a memorial primroses. A stream runs alongside the stone to the Clopton family. By 1455 the road. priory was in ruins and today fragments I set off up the hill with a few houses and of its building are incorporated into the former pub - The Shepherd and His Dog, 17th century farmhouse I can see. (Inside now a pink-painted home. I pass several St Mary’s church are a stone coffin and Start pretty thatched cottages behind old, bell from this site). I learn that many of rambling apple trees where noisy the Clopton family are buried here, the sparrows chirp. I am on a quest to find Sir Williams and Sir Walters of the 1300s Chipley Abbey. There is a steep bank together with their wives. edging the road but as I get higher the I retrace my steps to the lane that passes views open on either side. A wide sweep Walk: Approx farm cottages (1880) where empty milk of spring-green fields rise and fall with 4 miles on Clare bottles sit on the doorstep awaiting the contours of the land. A line of tiny mainly roads, collection. I round a bend and there is telegraph poles march across, adding to some muddy Clopton Hall with a thick box hedge the sense of distance. And then the wind bridle paths arching the front door. Behind the façade hits me with a mighty gust as the hedges is a 17th century timber framed house. ‘

63 ‘ Suddenly I see them – clumps of delicate snowdrops in the verge and on the roof of a tumbledown log cabin and in white drifts beneath the apples trees in the garden. Now there’s a reward for winte r walkers. The road leads to Gosland Green and a footpath going left beside a hedge. Time to leave the road and tramp across a muddy field. My footprints join many others, deer and fox and perhaps badger. Sunlit shops in the centre of Clare Little yellow signs assure me I am on pricked forward. I can just see the church walked about four miles. I mooch around route. My boots are becoming heavier and rooftops of Poslingford – a very long the antique stands where assorted Royal with each step, this is real mud - the kind way off! And in the far distance is Clare. Doulton Toby Jugs grin at me (£17). In a that sticks in slippery lumps. But away But I’m on the home stretch now and the glass cabinet old rings sparkle; Burmese across the fields is a far-reaching view of road gently takes me down to the village. Rubies and Chocolate Quartz and the valley if I lift my eyes for a moment Before I leave, I visit St Mary’s Church suspended from nails in the ceiling are while picking my way around deep with its attr active 15th century red brick chairs, bellows and a birdcage. puddles. porch and 12th century lancet window. You can even buy an antique hippo tooth. Soon I see buildings ahead and then Inside is an ancient font – but the door is I stroll along the High Street pausing to thankfully, the road. This is Shadowbush locked. window shop. There are several Farm. Here I turn right. Behind a fenced Back in Clare I am soon enjoying hot interesting little shops including ‘Hare’s woodland I get a glimpse of Poslingford chocolate topped with a generous Tail’ selling garden accessories, nesting House. During World War II a Mustang helping of cream and marshmallows in boxes and herbs. hit a tree here and crashed into a field The Antiques Centre tea room. It’s tucked I return to my car parked by J.R. killing the pilot, Flying Officer Weston. away down Maltings Lane not far from Humphreys and Sons, the butchers I come to a cottage with a mossy Clare Castle Country Park with the where you can buy squirrel (£1.50), thatched roof. Beneath a low window remains of a 13th century stone castle on partridges and pheasants as well as stands a rustic bench. Next is Flax a high motte. I treat myself to a scone, ‘Moo and Blue Pies’ (beef and Stilton) at Farmhouse where a black Alsatian sits thick with yellow butter and dollops of £3.95. Squirrel… hmm! Another day and watches me with interest. His ears strawberry jam. After all, I reckon I’ve perhaps!

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