Alton Water

Making the most of a summers day is important to me during this unpredictable season. With it being scorching hot one moment then over-caste the next, going out and enjoying the sunshine is something I enjoy and look forward to. This weekend my parents, my boyfriend and I decided to go down to Alton Water, a reservoir on the outskirts of Ipswich.

On our way down, we stopped off at the Suffolk Food Hall for a spot of brunch and chocolate milkshakes. The hall is one of my favourite food markets in Ipswich, and sells a variety of locally sourced food and home-ware pieces.

Photo by Richard Atkins

The hall overlooks the impressive Orwell Bridge (see above) and is situated in a gorgeous part of my hometown. Here, you immediately feel distant from the hustle and bustle of Ipswich's town centre, and it's an ideal reminder that there ARE indeed prettier parts of the area.

On our way down, Chris and I weren't sure what to expect. My parents had said a fair amount of walking was in store - and I love a challenge! Teamed in a skirt (me) and Converse (Chris), we certainly weren't appropriately dressed, but, with our stomaches full, we were feeling optimistic. Mum had also decided to make one heck of a picnic, which consisted of crisps, sandwiches, nuts and fruit (as a girl who loves her grub, this was all the motivation I needed to get to the finish line). Thus, we were suitably and aptly prepared for the trek in front of us.

Humor jeans and an All Saints tee
 - suitable attire for a walk

As we began, we must've looked like complete novices to any practiced trekker. To be honest, I didn't feel particularly thrilled about spending a day traipsing through woodland. But, as the hours flew by and the sun beat down on us, I really started to enjoy myself. My parents (the professional walkers - boots and all) stormed ahead, leaving Chris and I to stroll along, look around and talk about anything and everything. With next-to-no phone signal we weren't distracted by texts or phone calls. It was surprisingly nice to be away from technology for a few hours, and have nothing but our conversation to entertain us.

Bolt-blue Dragonfly

One hour turned into two, which turned into three, then four, and before we knew it we'd walked over 6 miles. We decided to stop off, rest a little, and recharge our batteries with a well-deserved picnic. As I sat perched on a purple rug in the middle of nowhere, it struck me how much I missed being outside in the sunshine. After three years of working or studying through the majority of the sunny period, it was a real treat to be sitting in the sun, and for those moments, I hadn't a care in the world.

Not only was it utterly lovely to enjoy the stunning views of the reservoir, but it was strangely nice to be surrounded by nature - and all the earthly elements too. If, for example, I was on route to meeting friends or going to work, wind and straying dust would be my worst enemies. However, when you're out in the open air, with only a few bugs and birds aware of your presence, it's really not that bad letting loose and being at one with nature. I of course mean in the sense of looking a state, and not doing anything else 'to be at one with nature' - for however desperate you are for the loo, there is always somewhere nearby more suitable to go for a wee then a bush plagued with disguised stinging nettles.  

All in all, Alton Water is a place I'd recommend for those who enjoy escaping from the mundane experience of the average weekend in Ipswich, and who fancy doing something different and simplistic.