Christmas 2007 is now over and yes, despite all my fears, it was a good Christmas. We spent time with family and friends, no one argued, the turkey was delicious and the cat wasn't sick! What more could I ask for?

Well........, it sounds terribly indulgent I know, but actually I could do with a quiet and peaceful holiday away from everyone. Long walks, bracing sea air, not too much to eat and somewhere cosy where I can curl up and read all those wonderful books I was given for Christmas.

The Mere, Framlingham
One of the finest views in inland Suffolk; stand on the castle ramparts and look down on this wetland paradise of Framlingham Mere.

Not only is this is a beautiful site but a fascinating wildlife habitat. The sedge beds - are rare in Suffolk - and stream are home to hundreds of migrating birds. Marsh marigolds, delicate ragged-robin and lady's smock litter the banks in spring, and if water levels are not too high you can see green and common sandepiper and snipe.

Mickfield Meadow, Mickfield

From Snape take the B1069 towards Woodbridge and Orford, passing the Snape Maltings on your left. At the next road junction take the left fork B1084 to Sudbourne and Orford. Follow the road through Orford to the Quay.

Reached by boat from Orford Quay on the Ore estuary, Havergate Island is an RSPB reserve and Suffolk's only island. Just two miles long and half a mile across at its widest point the island is sheltered from the North Sea by the long shingle spit of Orford Ness.

A delightful five mile walk over heaths, through woods, and beside farmland with magnificent views over the Alde Estuary between the village of Snape and the coastal town of Aldeburgh.

Until a few hundred years ago the village of Snape was far larger than Aldeburgh, perhaps the reason for the well trodden path which runs between the two. Called The Sailors Path it gave seaman access to Aldeburgh, then a centre for both local and offshore fishing, boat building and of course a certain amount of smuggling.