Flatford Mill and Pin Mill

 Flatford Bridge

Lottie's first walk at Flatford

Van-Man studied the weather forecast and suggested going to Flatford Mill where John Constable painted the Hay Wain and four of his other paintings. It was further than our other outings but it was an easy drive around Ipswich. When leaving the main road for Flatford we found a one way system in operation, important on the single track lanes.

Flatford Lock

unchanged since Constable?

There were several walks around Flatford but we took a path from Flatford Bridge alongside the river. It passed Flatford Lock, the scene of one of his paintings and then we were able to let Lottie run around off the lead as most people were on the other side of the river. Lottie enjoyed exploring. Below the lock was a portage pontoon for canoeists whichVan-Man stood on to take photos. 

Heading to the place the Hay Wain was painted

old dry dock for boat building and repairs

houses near the Hay Wain

Site of the Hay Wain from a different angle

Display showing how trees had changed the view

Lottie went down onto it and slipped into the water beside it for a drink and to cool down as it was already getting warm. However there was a shelf beyond which the water became deep. She put her front paw down and plunged head first into the river then had to swim for the bank. Being deep chested this doesn’t come naturally but she extracted herself from the water without our help.

Boats at  Pin Mill.

River Orwell mud flats

We followed it to some large sluices over the river and then explored a side path which led to a shallow ford. Lottie went in to drink so her unexpected immersion did not upset her too much.

Looking over to  Pin Mill.

 Pin Mill's ducks

We returned to Flatford. We were delayed crossing Flatford Bridge by the local farmer reversing his tractor towing a cattle trailer onto it. Once parked the farmer opened the field gate then blocked off the footpath, so the cows could only enter the field. They soon left the truck and spread out in their new field. I was impressed how the farmer reversed his trailer round the corner onto the narrow bridge but I guess her had lots of practise. Van-Man complimented him on his skill.

We walked along the other side of the river to where the Hay Wain was painted. It looked somehow familiar and yet wrong. Finally we entered the painting exhibition which not only showed prints of Constables work but also showed how the scenery had changed since Constables day on his main paintings, mostly by the growth of trees. It was interesting to see the prints having just walked around Flatford.

We went back to our motor home, which we have nick-named Sally, for lunch. After lunch Van-Man suggested going to Pin Mill on the river Orwell where there was a nature reserve. However it seemed that parking was scarce there so we headed to Cholmondistan hoping to park there and walk over to Pin Mill as it was in the direction of our campsite.

Live aboard barges - high and dry

I navigated there easily and we found a free village car park with plenty of space to park Sally. While Van-Man lock up wondering how we would find the way I wandered over to a local information sign with a map. We were parked opposite a footpath to Pin Mill.

large boats

We set out past the church in overcast conditions wearing coats. Within five minutes the clouds cleared and we plodded on in sunshine. We soon grew hot and had to carry the coats. It took 15 minutes to walk to Pin Mill across fields. The hamlet was centred on the river which was home to sailing vessels and barges. There was a pub, art studio and a common where locals could leave their dinghies. There were several artists painting the various scenes of rover and boats.

and small ones at  Pin Mill common

Lottie enjoyed this area. Before we left the village she found the fresh water stream flowing past the common. She waded in to cool off and drink. We followed the footpath upstream towards Ipswich around the sailing club then along the river bank. There were boats stored everywhere. Eventually the path left the river so we turned around. Lottie enjoyed this walk and sniffed around happily without going onto the mud revealed by low tide. There were ducks with exotic plumage here but they seemed at home on the mud flats. Back at Pin Mill we looked at the artists at work from a discrete distance and Lottie had a second cool down in the stream.

Lottier cooling off in the stream

As we headed back up the hill to Cholmondistan and Sally the clouds came back making it less hot climbing through the meadow. Our drove back to the campsite followed the river Orwell and under the massive road bridge spanning the river estuary.

The campsite was bathed in sunshine so Van-Man and Lottie sat out until dinner time.