Felt a bit strange today. Woke up early in a lovely dream state and lay in bed listening to nothing but the low hum of the wind and the infrequent clicking of rain drops blown against the window panes. So excited to escape the city even if it’s just to the perimeter. There’s something dystopianContinue reading “The Monarch’s Way, Long Ashton to Winford Jan 30th 2021”
Author Archives: James Rogerson
Suffolk Coast Path – Covehithe to Lowestoft August 20th
I always intended to finish the coast path and reach Lowestoft before the end of the Summer holidays. It would mean I would end it pretty much exactly a year after Pa was first diagnosed with Glioblastoma. I hoped there would be a neatness to it. I didn’t expect anything else – just the satisfactionContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Covehithe to Lowestoft August 20th”
Suffolk Coast Path – Southwold to Covehithe July 30th
How many beautiful days this Summer? And what an elongated Summer because of lockdown. Even at the start in early April the weather was warm and barmy. It’s added to the surreal nature of the whole situation. Today is no exception. It’s warm and cloudless but there is a constant breeze that refuses to allowContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Southwold to Covehithe July 30th”
Suffolk Coast Path – Walberswick to Southwold July 28th
Today is my birthday. 46 sounds very different to 45. How did it happen? I still sometimes get confused about my age. Am I 45? Or am I still 38? When we’re young we never heed the warnings which I hear myself saying to young people now: ‘make the most of your youth because oneContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Walberswick to Southwold July 28th”
Suffolk Coast Path – Walberswick June 26th
I stayed with a friend last night in Snape and had one of those strange nights that I’ve been having off and on for years. To be awake at night is to inhabit a different world. One where normally you’re alone. Yet magic happens at night. At this time of year I want to beContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Walberswick June 26th”
Suffolk Coast Path – Dunwich to Walberswick Reserve June 8th
After a crazy few days in Somerset, Bristol and London, once again trying to sort out my flat (in London) I return to Suffolk. All of this movement is highly irregular and irresponsible in the present climate. Everything about today is grey. The sky. The sea. My mood. The start point is St James Church.Continue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Dunwich to Walberswick Reserve June 8th”
Suffolk Coast Path – Dunwich May 28th
3 weeks since Dad left us and strangely I don’t feel much. It was so intense at the start, as it progressed and at the end that the actual aftermath has been relatively calm. The rollercoaster has slowly ground to a halt. Lockdown continues to offer a new strangeness but one that is definitely easing.Continue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Dunwich May 28th”
Suffolk Coast Path Minsmere to Dunwich Heath May 15th
I remembered to take my Dad’s ‘bins’ with me this time as I was going to be crossing Minsmere again. Another beautiful day. How long will this go on? We’ll remember it as the lockdown heatwave. But what a blessing it’s been. Remember how I decided to walk from home in the early days ofContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path Minsmere to Dunwich Heath May 15th”
Suffolk Coast Path Sizewell to Minsmere May 8th
Today is VE Day. 75 years since the end of war in Europe. It’s 3 days since we lost Dad. Tuesday was queasily unpleasant. The carer had left the day before. Her time was well over due and there was nothing more for her to do. He wasn’t eating. Drugs were being administered by aContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path Sizewell to Minsmere May 8th”
Suffolk Coast Path. Thorpeness to Sizewell April 22nd
How much can the world change in so short a time? A new vocabulary has suddenly emerged: pandemic, lockdown, restrictions, Coronavirus, Covid-19. This is something which is affecting all of us and will do for many years to come. It is historic. A once in a hundred year event. Having become used to the ideaContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path. Thorpeness to Sizewell April 22nd”
Suffolk April 17th 2020
The days seem to melt into each other. I can’t remember the date. And 2020 isn’t done yet with having more surprises up its sleeve. We are in the 4th week of lockdown against a previously unkown disease: Coronavirus or Covid-19 a new and deadlier form of SARS. Yesterday Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (Boris JohnsonContinue reading “Suffolk April 17th 2020”
Suffolk Coast Path Aldeburgh to Thorpeness March 6th
It’s only been 2 weeks since I was last in Suffolk but it feels like ages. The change in Dad is clear. He sleeps a lot and half coughs, half chokes now with the secretions in his mouth. Last time I was home when I said hello there was a delay of a few secondsContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path Aldeburgh to Thorpeness March 6th”
Suffolk Coast Path – Snape to Hazelwood Common February 8th
It’s now been 3 weeks since Dad got a UTI, 3 weeks since I was called home expecting the end. Now we don’t know what to think. My sister and brother and I had braced ourselves, made some sort of mental preparation (as much as you can) but we’re still waiting. Obviously nobody wishes itContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Snape to Hazelwood Common February 8th”
Suffolk Coast Path -Chillesford to Iken January 17th
Back in Suffolk for the whole week. It still feels touch and go with him. The doctor came to visit and told us it could be another week or could be more. He can’t be sure. I try to sit with him and tell him things and he looks at me but there doesn’t seemContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path -Chillesford to Iken January 17th”
Suffolk Coast Path – Iken to Snape January 19th
After the closeness of the trees in Tunstall Forest, I feel a sense of relief – a sigh inside – as I see the openness of sky and space and in the distance, water. I’ve been here before. An old friend of mine lives across the water from here in the house that he grewContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Iken to Snape January 19th”
Suffolk Coast Path – Butley to Chillesford January 13th
A cold and colourless day in East Suffolk, the wind rushing across the fields whipping the grass and the bare branches of the trees. The lane lined with cottages that I walked down a couple of weeks ago is silent. There is no sign of life apart from a digger carving up a garden. NowContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Butley to Chillesford January 13th”
Suffolk Coast Path – Boyton to Butley December 29th
Another sunny day as I head East from home after lunch past Woodbridge and through Tunstall Forest to the coast. I’m listening to an Audible version of The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman but I can’t seem to get into it. After 5 minutes I can feel my mind wander. The roads turnContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Boyton to Butley December 29th”
Suffolk Coast Path – Boyton 23rd December
A cold day as I park the car on a sandy track leading to Boyton. The sun is low in the West and too weak to warm me. I think of Dad rubbing his hands to try and get them warm back at home. The tumour is slowly shutting his body down. I pass oneContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Boyton 23rd December”
Clifton Downs and Gorge 9.12.19
This morning I discovered that Dad might be admitted to a hospice. We thought he would be at home for Christmas. I’ve felt shaken for the rest of the day. A part of me throughout has been unable to grasp the reality of what is happening. I’ve been holding onto the fact he’s still withContinue reading “Clifton Downs and Gorge 9.12.19”
Suffolk Coast Path – Hollesley to Boyton November 23rd 2019
There’s a stark beauty to the Suffolk coastline. In fact many might question that it’s even beauty. In certain places on certain days it is the lack of definition – the emptiness – that is profoundly moving. Maybe it’s just my state of mind. Dad would have walked along here, I’m sure. He loved walkingContinue reading “Suffolk Coast Path – Hollesley to Boyton November 23rd 2019”
The Slow Walker 