Our last day was only a short stroll to finish the route. Hopton Fen was circled on paths and from then on we kept to small lanes. One was lined with lilac trees creating a unique aromatic feature. The Horse Chestnut candles were also blooming.

We were blessed with a beautiful warm clear morning to enjoy our leisurely stroll, cuckoos were calling, calves were sunning themselves and all felt right with the world.

Passing small estate houses on a driveway we emerged in front of a grand Georgian country house, turns out to be Riddlesworth Hall boarding school built in 1792. Achieved fame from Princess Dianne attending as a pupil, it still looks a very privileged institution. Our path was ‘quite rightly’ diverted around the grounds – we were a bit scruffy after all. On the lane leading to the Heath we recrossed the Little Ouse for the last time, a man from the Environmental Agency was donning waders to do some sampling of invertebrates, nice work on a day like today. he had some lovely Water Boatmen. A path through the heath took us to the start of the Peddars Way and the end of the Angles Way. Mission accomplished – we had completed the circuit of paths. A lift took us into Thetford and lunch before our rail journeys home. Whilst eating we enquired at the next table as to the whereabouts of the station – it was not close and all a bit complicated. No problem, later we were presented with an accurate hand-drawn map on a  serviette. With this delicate navigational aid, we located the rail station and proceeded on our separate ways. Can the OS match this…

So what of the ANGLES WAY.

Well, it served its purpose of our annual reunion walk, graded easier each year. Good to meet up with Mel and share the pleasures of the walk.

The walking was of an easy standard [as planned] and the days readily accomplished with good accommodation each night. All our overnight villages were of interest and we were able to eat well and drink good ales.

Each day the fen scenery was expansive under those massive skies.  The flowers and trees were superb and the variety of birds we casually saw impressive. A walk made for naturalists. We must have missed so much more. The weather was on the whole kind to us.

Where next year Mel?