Yes, Nayland is in Suffolk, but we had to cross the river somewhere!
The County boundary runs along the river for the whole of this stretch & we followed footpaths as close to the water as we could! Took the 'Essex Way' for the last time until that turns south & completed the circular by picking up the 'Stour Valley Path'..... we'll see more of that on our next couple of outings!
Lovely day again: warm & sunny.... though we have been warned this isn't going to last!
Early enough start for us to have a wide choice of parking slots in the village car park - there have been times when we've had to squash ourselves between trees
Large group of ramblers nearly died at my wheels as they haphazardly tried to arrange themselves into a starting line-up.... glad I wasn't leading them today!
Wandering along the southern bank of the Stour - we'd be returning along the far bank later
Passed the old 'Gun' pub, long ago converted to a house, & then entered the Langham Estate through these magnificent gates
Langham Hall is a fine 18th century mansion but the estate is probably more famous for its church, St Mary's, which features in several John Constable paintings
The original manor house was once owned by Sir Walter Tyrell, suspected of killing King William II in a hunting accident in 1100!
In a corner of the churchyard is the Hurlock Schoolroom, built by Dr Hurlock in 1832
The lower section suggests that the rector saw himself as some 19th century Ofsted.... though in today's climate I'd be a little suspicious that he only seemed to be interested in 'instructing' little girls!
Highlight of the Day: Jerry, the Honorary Church Cat!
Basking in sunshine on a bench in the lych gate, he followed us to the church door &, generally, supervised our visit!
Interesting footnote: the 'Discovery' apple was created in Langham & the original tree, grown from a seed planted by George Drummer in the early 1950s, still stands in the village
Rivers Hall Lake, near Boxted
The longest barn in Essex could be found on the estate here until 1987, when it was somewhat 'reduced' by the hurricane!
St Peter's Church, Old Boxted
The heat finally got to Les - time to turn those 'longs' into shorts!
Seems strange to have such an elaborate church in such a tiny village but Old Boxted ceased to be the centre of the community during the plague years when many of its inhabitants moved across the valley in the hope of escaping infection
Subsequently, many villagers including the rector, emigrated to Massachusetts in 1630
The magnificent ceiling is much more modern, created in 1999 by Saffron Walden church decorators & restorers Howell & Bellion
Last 'Essex Way' sign!
Parted company for the last time on this expedition just beyond Old Boxted
Splendid lunchtime stop & we enjoyed Black & Blue burgers with sliced beetroot, chips & salad on the banks of a later-cutting of the Stour, about 5 yards over the county boundary!
The pub & nearby Anchor Inn Heritage Farm are owned by the same people & most of their excellent food is home-produced
Definitely be coming back here... even on non-walking days!
Beer of the Day: a seasonal ale from Cottage Brewing, based in Lovington, Somerset - enjoyed a couple of pints of the very good 'Temple Meads'; a malty, slightly nutty, red bitter... served quite cool
Interestingly, most of this brewery's beers have some kind of railway theme to their names
Panels from the medieval roodscreen in St James' Church, Nayland
'The Saints of Nayland'
Second of Constable's three religious works: Christ blessing the bread & wine
His third is in Brantham Church & that will have to wait for another walk!
Amazing collection of old houses in the village of Stratford St Mary - amazing that they have survived! They once stood alongside the main London - Ipswich road until the construction of the A12 which runs, noisily, less than 100 yards away!
One of 3 village pubs which were once coaching inns on that very busy main road
'The Black Horse' has connections withhighwayman Mathew Keys, hanged on Kennington Common in 1751; it is alleged that he once left his watch here in lieu of stealing the cash to settle his bill!
Old & rather elegant boathouse on the Stour just outside Dedham.... & we were back where we started!
Glen: good to hear from you again - hope the new job is going well!
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