LETJOG E2W – Day 3: Tuesday 16 April – BUNGAY to BRESSINGHAM (22.8 miles)
Aside from the moody weather, that I will return to later, my first long walking day on this LETJOG E2W adventure has met with two basic and unforeseen challenges: communication and sustenance! Last night my phone charger cable broke – goodness only knows why it chose this moment – hence limiting my phone power, and threatening my means of keeping in touch with the world and (perhaps more importantly) being able to navigate my path. Fortunately, with unfamiliar use of an actual compass on occasion, I made it to Harleston, where I was able to replace the cable and restore normal service. And then there is the task of finding food in the provinces on a Monday or Tuesday evening, seemingly a nationwide problem these days outside of the main population centres – last night, with all the pub kitchens closed, I found the only hot food to be had in Bungay at the local takeaway: this evening I took no chances in Bressingham and dinner (albeit cold and eaten at my B&B) was courtesy of Morrisons in Diss.
The weather was not particularly kind to me today – frequent and at times prolonged showers blowing in on a strong and gusty north-westerly wind, that often sounded like a train approaching as it blew through the trees. The silver lining for me was the occasional sunny interval, and some more sustained sunshine in the late afternoon that meant I arrived almost dry at my destination: a small mercy, very much appreciated. Here goes with the photos:
So, I shall remember this day of my LETJOG E2W trek as one of obstacles to be overcome. But, as ever in the outdoors, compensation is to be found at every turn: a rainbow, a stoat darting across my path, hares in the green cornfields, evidence aplenty of moles and badgers, pheasants squawking into the fields at my approach, and songbirds doing their best to be heard above the gale. Walking into the wind is not the easiest but, with the huge East Anglian skies open before me, this has the advantage of being able to observe the prevailing weather and some advance notice of oncoming downpours and respites. All ended well today in this corner of our mad world, and I can retire now reasonably well-fed, and with communication and navigation restored!
I sought today a song title for my Blog heading that hinted at overcoming adversity. ‘Never Give Up On A Good Thing’ came to mind at one point and stayed with me on the path, so just had to be my title for the day. The number was recorded by US jazz fusion and R&B artist George Benson in 1981, charting in the UK early the following year: the song is actually about resilience in love rather than on the trail, but it serves the purpose well enough for my experiences of the last day or so.
Walking for Fun, Challenge and Charity! 
We love coastal Norfolk but less familiar with Suffolk and inland Norfolk. We used to take our kids to the United Reform Church in Oxted, Surrey. The minister Roy Robinson and his wife Effie retired to Bungay. We once paid them a visit there, but sadly they’ve subsequently passed away. So enjoyed reading about your walk and the great pictures too Nick. Brightened up my start to the day! Best wishes Steve & Penny
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Paula and I lived in Ipswich for 8 years, so we are recognising all of the names so far. Hope the weather improves. We’ve been having much the same here.
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