A short lazy day, ambling in the sunshine along the banks of the River Little Ouse – my legs thanked me for it.
The stage today was only 16km according to the guide, 3 hours max I reckoned. Check out wasn’t until 1100h, I stayed in bed to about 0800h. Did some supply shopping, got my stamp from St. Cuthbert’s then Lounged in my room until boredom got to me.
At 1030h I was back on the trail. It rejoined the St. Edmunds Way along the banks of the River Little Ouse. Muntjac deer grazed in the bracken to the side of the path, not too bothered by my presence.
The air was cold and fresh; the rain and wind had hammered the window all night. Although the sun was shining and only a breeze remained, it was feeling frigid.
The route twisted and turned hugging the banks of the river until I Reached the ‘The Brecks’, where it veered away into the forest.
The smell of pine filled the air and I leisurely trekked over soft forest paths to a tiny church, All Saints at Santon Downham. A small round tower, an oddity compared to the ones I had visited so far.
Then further along the road into the hamlet centre I rejoined the Little Ouse, to follow the banks in the lazy sunshine into Brandon.
Ducks glided across the waters where the sun reflected off the ripples. Robins and Blue Tits sang from the branches above – I drank in the peace.
To enter Brandon, I had to cross a bridge over a stream that flowed into the Little Ouse. Only problem was, it was closed as unsafe. Wooden boards up to my chest blocked the way. I had to follow the stream up river and luckily found a fallen tree over the waters.
I precariously crossed it using a branch from the forest floor as a walking stick – I made it without getting my feet wet!
Glad for the easy day, tomorrow it returns to normal; a decent 26km.
Stu's Camino 