Mary Line Walk No.2; Lound to St. Olaves, 12th May 2012
Following a dowsing recce with Brian the previous day fifteen intrepids, and two dogs (Rudey and Pepper), set off on a lovely Spring afternoon to walk existing paths and tracks as close to the Mary Line as possible.
We made a call at the beautiful little St Mary’s church at Ashby where the church warden, Jenny, had previously agreed to open the doors for us to see inside. Many confirmed the basic energy pattern there but other details were also found within the breadth of the main Line. Mary was wide here – 75 strides to the south and 50 to the north, sweeps in from the east and runs along the north wall before exiting through the tower (not the font) on a direction of about 230 degrees – towards the visible White Lodge.
Thus here there is some dis-agreement between Hamish Miller’s results and our own. Hamish mapped the Line striking towards, and meeting, Blocka Road but ours indicate she travels more southerly, eventually crossing Herringfleet road at the footpath that then follows the track down to the Herringfleet Wind pump by the Waveney, thence crossing the river and marshes towards Haddiscoe church in the distance. As there is no direct footpath from the White Lodge to Herringfleet Road and as our destination and eventual river crossing was at St. Olaves we walked by Angles Way path to Blocka Road, down this road to the Herringfleet Road, thence right to the footpath and culde-sac on the left that leads close to the Bell pub by the river at St Olaves. After due refreshment in the pub garden we retraced our steps to Lound, reduced slightly in number but in excellent spirits.
Our walk was about 8 miles, there and back, and took us just over 4 hours at a relaxed pace and with several pauses. There is however an alternative choice after Ashby church but it is much longer. That is – to take the track left down to Somerleyton, then by road through the village (past, or calling at, the Post Office and Ley Line café), continue on the road past the village pond then left (after the road bend to the right) to follow the path (on the left) just before the Dukes Head pub, down to the Waveney. Then all the way by the river to Herringfleet Mill and up the marsh path and left through the woods and public area to come out at the parking place just off Herringfleet Road. Then to follow the road westwards, as before, to The Bell at St Olaves.
NB. The Michael Line crosses the Waveney River close to Somerleyton but, apart from a mythical ferryman, the only actual crossings are well to the east or to the west. As the Mary line crosses much nearer St. Olaves than Somerleyton (whichever dowsing route is correct), we chose to walk more in a westerly direction with the aim of the next walk to cross the river via the very large road bridge. Others may choose a different tactic.
