Well, that was the plan, but due to a high tide on the Waveney at Beccles and localised flooding at Geldeston, we did not make it to our intended destination.  Our route should have taken us along the River Waveney to Geldeston Lock, the limit of navigation on the Waveney, with a return to Beccles along the Angles Way.  In the event, we completed a 'there and back' walk along Angles Way.

Queen Elizabeth I presents John Baas with the Beccles town charter in 1584

The River Waveney at Beccles
In the medieval period, Beccles was a thriving navigable port until the river silted up and trade gradually declined.

Beccles is the last major town on The Broads river system and nowadays attracts tourists cruising or sailing on The Broads.
The Waveney is only navigable for three more miles up to Geldeston Lock.
Today, the high tide prevents us from walking much further along the river.  We turn back into the town.

The is the Old Market place at the lower end of town

Beccles Tower is the town's outstanding landmark and dominates the distant views of Beccles.
The tower was constructed in the sixteenth century and is 97feet high and 39 feet square at the base.  The tower has a belfry with ten bells!

The church of St. Michaels

The church tower

The Swan House was originally a tavern and through time became a coaching inn, and finally, today, a restaurant

On our way out of Beccles, we pass Roos Hall, said to be one of the most haunted houses in the country!

Even in late November, there is still plenty of colour in the hedgerows

This stretch of our walk is along Angles Way, along-distance path from Great Yarmouth to Knettishall Heath in Breckland, a distance of 77 miles

We are within sight of Geldeston Lock!  It is just across this field ...

... but this is the path, and it's under water!  This is as far as we can go today.

Water meadows are not always flooded in winter ...

... but this one is and we will have to retrace our steps

We pass Barsham Manor.  On the map it is shown as a ruin, but the map is out-of-date!

Back in Beccles - it is quiet this afternoon!

Determined to reach Geldeston Lock, we drive over by road, but things don't look too promising!

Finally defeated!

The river is over by that line of trees ...

... but these meadows are also flooded, and it's time to go home

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Comment from Gary
Derek - just been looking at your last set of pictures, it was a shame the flooding spoilt your walk, is it always like that at this time of the year? Beccles is a lovely place I remember going there many years ago when we were on holiday near to Great Yarmouth.
Gary

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Photographs taken with a Fuji MX-2900 Zoom or a Canon EOS 20D
Copyright © 2008 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved