Crinkle Crankle Search in the Wind (C #5)
30 March, 101 miles
The choice of my route today was dictated by two things – the wind
direction and the search for a crinkle crankle wall. So I headed out for the
Waveny Valley towards Bungay and then Halesworth. With a south westerly wind I
made good time and reached Bungay (35 miles) in under 2 hours. My hope was that
as I eventually turned westwards for home, the wind would east as the weather forecast
hinted.
I’m not sure what set me on the search for a crinkle crankle
wall – I think I may have read something in the local newspaper. A search on
the interweb uncovered a whole industry seemingly devoted to the subject. I
discovered that Suffolk has more than double the number (50) of crinkle crankle
walls than the rest of England. Now, I imagine that some of you might be
wondering what on earth is a crinkle crankle wall. So let me explain.
In simple terms, a crinkle crankle is a wavy or zig zag wall. Their chief advantage, apart from looking nice, is that they can be made just one brick thick. Build a straight wall one brick thick and the chances are that without buttressing it will fall over fairly soon. So the curves of the crinkle crankle provide strength and use far fewer bricks.
It is though that in Britain they first appeared in the mid
17th century when Dutch engineers were employed to drain the fens. In the
Netherlands the design is called slange muur (snaking wall). Further
afield, Thomas Jefferson constructed a crinkle crankle at the University of
Virginia, enjoying both its aesthetic and economic benefits.
Leaving Halesworth I rode south to the village of
Bramfield where I’d heard there was a good wall to be seen. And I was not
disappointed. This was also a slight deviation from my usual route in this area
so I had the added pleasure of enjoying some new lanes and some new views. Having
a sight or place to aim for on a ride adds interest so I’m going to see if I
can find some more crinkle crankles over the coming months. Apparently there’s
a particularly good example in the village of Easton near Wickam Market – so watch
this space.
Oh, I almost forgot! The wind did ease so I had a easy ride home.
Oh, I almost forgot! The wind did ease so I had a easy ride home.
A Good Friday Ride on
Good Friday (C #4)
25 March, 103 Miles
Today was one of my more ‘routine’ rides which takes me
through much of Thetford Forest. Having worked there some years ago, I always
enjoy coming back to see what’s going on from a forester’s perspective. And
please be re-assured, I don’t ride round singing “I’m a lumberjack and I’m OK ….”
Those days are largely behind me now – the lumberjacking I mean; I have been
known to sing from time to time – usually after a quantity of alcohol has been
consumed. Anyway enough of this nonsense.
Thetford Forest really is an amazing place. I first went there
in 1978 soon after I started working for the Forestry Commission. The main focus
was commercial forestry, the growing of Corsican and Scots Pine to produce
timber. About 300 people were directly employed by the Commission. There was
even a mill in Brandon solely devoted to the production of pit props for the
then National Coal Board. Producing timber for the mines was a strategic
activity for the Commission. Most of the foresters were also keen
conservationists and knew about the needs of some quite important and rare
species which they protected in the course of their ongoing work. Most of this
went on quietly behind the scenes with little fanfare or recognition. Most
foresters preferred to get on with the job rather than talk about it. The
forest was open for people, mainly locals, to enjoy and a network of waymarked
trails and modest car parks were provided. From time to time, ‘special events’ –
guided walks to see deer for example, were laid on. It was all pretty low key
and informal though.
Today, the situation is very different. Timber production is
still a key activity and generates valuable income for the Commission. But the
forest is now much more than a simple wood factory. It is internationally
recognised as a habitat of great importance, supporting many rare and
endangered species. Conserving and enhancing the environment is often the
starting point from which decisions about timber production are made, as
opposed to the other way round. And perhaps the most significant evolution and
the most visible one has been the explosion of use of the forest for people to
enjoy. Opportunities for quiet walks and picnics are still available aplenty.
But now the forest hosts a huge range of other activities for people, locally
and from further afield, to enjoy. And perhaps one of the most significant has
been the rise in the popularity of cycling. A rich network enables everyone,
from families looking for traffic-free riding to mountain bikers seeking highly
technical and challenging riding, to enjoy themselves.
So as I ride through the forest I see the trees but I see
much more too. And the buzz of a chainsaw, the cry of a bird, or the laughter
of a family all set against the swish of my tyres on the tarmac, invariably
brings a smile to my face. Long may it continue.
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