Day 4 #summerhols2012

Today was a sunny start but with clouds on the horizon so we decided to go for a quick walk along the quay and river bank. There are lots of boats and lots of wild flowers - there are some purple ones which look a bit like yarrow but they are in the marshy part so I can't get a close look.



It then started to rain so off we went to the pub for lunch - I had crab salad which was very nice. It continued to rain so we had dessert :) I had strawberry sundae and Geoff had apple tart and icecream.



This week is a mixture of food and walks in the hope they will counteract each other.






We then set off towards Aldeburgh with a stop off at Snape Maltings. The nice surprise there was two sculptures - a Henry Moore and a Barbara Hepworth.






Then off to Aldeburgh. We had visited before but couldn't remember it - I wasn't sure what to make of the town really - sort of shabby seaside chic with pretentious overtones.
We walked through the town then back along next to the beach. We found a very nice hotel for afternoon tea - the Wentworth and sat in the conservatory. I was eavesdropping on a hilarious conversation that two old ladies were having - they were frightfully posh.



We walked further on to see a sculpture on the beach which was fantastic.






Back to Orford and then out to the pub again - our excuse this time is to meet an old school friend of Geoff's although really any excuse will do :)

Day 3 #summerhols2012

Today we decided to visit two places that were on our wish list. Firstly Sutton Hoo which is a national trust site where burial mounds were found and excavated in the 30s. I was expecting that some of the treasure that was found would be on display but it seems that the vast majority of it is at the British Museum. Apart from that it was interesting. We looked at the exhibition and then walked to the burial mounds.







There is also a house which belonged to the lady who owned the place in the 30s and who first asked archeologists to investigate. The house was nice with some interesting bits and pieces and information about Suffolk horses that were used in the war.









There was a 2nd hand book shop :)

We had lunch then set off to another national trust property near Bury St Edmunds. It is called Ickworth and is very beautiful and grand.










There was some great paintings and some gorgeous silver - old and new - beautiful sugar shakers.
Outside the main rotunda the purple and blue herbaceous border was fantastic.



Around the back of the rotunda you could see the intricate carvings.



We left when it closed at 5pm and came back to the cottage. Geoff cooked Dover sole for tea that he'd bought from the fish shop on the quay this morning. We're just in the pub now, again using the wifi and having a quick drink.
Time to walk back now through the village

Day 2 #summerhols2012

Today we went for a walk down to the quay and around the town to find if there were any shops and other places of interest.



We found a very nice cafe/tea rooms which is going to be our downfall I can tell. It is called The Pump Street Bakery and has some delicious looking bread and cakes. We managed to just have coffee and tea (silver tip white tea)



They have free wifi which we took advantage of.
We then went to The Kings Head for Sunday lunch which was very nice.



There was a magician doing tricks which was quite entertaining.
Next we went to the castle - lots of steps.






After tea we went for another walk - down to the quay where there was a 'church' service for seafarers which we listened to for a bit especially the brass band then along the coast path and across the field to the castle.



Then to the pub - there are three pubs and we're testing the wifi as well as the drinks. The Jolly Sailor has nice beer, nice beer garden but lumpy wifi. The Kings Head has good food, G & T and excellent wifi.

Day 1 #summerhols2012

Today we, Geoff & I, set off on our summer holiday to Orford in Suffolk. We went via Cambridge as we were dropping off Ben (T2) to stay with Joe (T1). We got to Cambridge and went for a pizza at La Margherita which is a really great Italian restaurant. The main purpose, for both sides, of visiting your son or daughter when away at Uni is to buy them a large meal.
We had pizzas, they had garlic bread and ice cream sorbets and I had an irresistible creme brûlée.



We walked back to Churchill
(this is them walking along with me surreptitiously taking a photo).




Then Geoff & I set off for Orford.
It took about 1.5 hrs to get here. It is a beautiful small town with a quay and a castle. We usually try to go to Cornwall for escapism but decided to come here for a change. The cottage we're staying in is near the Quay so we went for a walk. I don't know anything about boats or sailing but quite like gazing at the boats.






We explored a little bit and found a church with a wild churchyard



and the castle which we will visit tomorrow. All in all a great start.

My Photo of the Day - 5 years on

Five years ago yesterday I started a year of a photo of the day. I decided to do it because it was my 44th birthday and hoped that, if all went very well and I was very lucky, I would be half way through my life. So it was a celebration of having made it so far without any major disasters and a wish for the future. I wanted to mark the year as a moment in time.
Each day during the year I took a photo of everyday things - often my two sons, other family, friends, things in the house and garden, people and things at work and me.
I didn't have my iPhone to begin with as I got in for Christmas 2007 so I used my camera and uploaded them to the computer then printed them out.
At the time I didn't know anyone else who was doing a photo of the day - I didn't upload them to Facebook and I wasn't on Twitter. My friends and family thought it a bit odd but liked looking through the albums as the year went on.
In the intervening years I've taken loads of photos but not in a dedicated way and not just picking one a day which was part of the deal. Also I've not printed them out. These inbetween ones I've regularly put on Facebook, Twitter, Blipfoto or my blogs. The original year ones I didn't as they were of family and friends and personal stuff so I didn't want to publish them on the Internet.
So the new year of photo of the day started yesterday - now there are millions of people doing photo of the day and posting them online. Some of my friends have started to do it. Lots of things have changed in the 5 years. I'm going to print them out each day as I like seeing them in an album and it's nice for other people to look at them who come to our house. I'll have an electronic copy but I'm not publishing them online anywhere as again they'll include family and friends.
If all goes well & I do it every 5 years I should have another 9 sets of photo of the day :)


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Vinyl Revival continued

Since last year when Ben decided that we should bring back and buy a record player, we have continued to buy more records. I've been surprised at how popular vinyl has become with teenagers. He's bought some online from Amazon etc. e.g. Kate Bush! White Stripe. We've played my old favourites like Supertramp and Eagles over and over.
But I've been getting them mainly from charity shops. They are still quite cheap although in Oxfam they are more expensive. I usually go for Soul and Motown stuff.
I got these the other day in Richmond.






But I've also been trying to get older ones from the 50's and early 60's






Mainly because I like the covers - retro.
I like this one too - cool trumpeter

Day 8 #easterhols2012

Cinema at The Station, Richmond - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel


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Day 7 #easterhols2012

Friday 6th April

Richmond
Looked round shops
Bought records from charity shop
Visited the castle
Tea and blueberry cake at cafe As You Like It


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Day 6 #easterhols2012

Thursday 5th April

Went to Billingham.
Visited two libraries.
Went to charity shops.




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Day 5 #easterhols2012

Today we went to Robin Hoods Bay which is one of my favourite places.
It is a beautiful fishing village with steep streets and cottages.
I paddled on the beach despite the cold and wet.

We then went to a cafe called Swell - delicious bacon sandwiches

Next, on to Whitby and the sun came out.
We went to the Abbey which looked beautiful although it was still very cold.

We went into the town, went to the library but it was closed, had a little walk along the harbour but getting cold so went for a cup of tea and sandwich. Then headed home back across the moors - still some snow around.

Day 4 #easterhols2012

Tuesday 3rd April
Today I took my Mum, Joe and Ben to Durham station as they were going to Edinburgh.
Ben has applied to go to Edinburgh University in September and had finally decided to go to an official Open Day.  After I had despatched them Geoff and I set off for Ravenscar (North Yorks coast).
The weather was wet, wild and windy and the Ravenhall hotel is on the top of a cliff overlooking the sea!!!
The hotel is a very nice although a bit frumpy but the lodges in the grounds are fabulous.

We had a scone and tea in the hotel and then went to the lodge.
It was lovely and cosy and warm.  Spent the time looking at the view which was misty and wet, drinking champagne, eating a picnic and enjoying the log fire.

Day 3 #easterhols2012

Monday 2nd April
It's always nice being on holiday when it's a Monday morning :)
Still feeling grotty -hopefully just tired. Went and got some shopping.
Boys wanted to cook on evening. Joe wants to do quick and simple stuff that he can do at Uni. He did stir fry - the tricky part is that he wants to know exact amounts and exact procedures and processes which is just not me. I don't mind following recipes but don't want to spend ages on it, just want to get on with it otherwise it becomes a chore. He's right, I would not make a very good chemist.
Ben, who does nothing by halves and not wanting to be left out, got out the Larousse Gastronomique book. Luckily over the years he has learnt how to get on with it on his own although he does make quite a lot of mess. He shouts for stuff if he can't find it and I have to clear up but complicated cooking is a good way of him chilling out and relaxing. He made roast sweet peppers stuffed with cod - they were ok but I did have tummy ache later which was not unrelated :)

Day 2 #easterhols2012

Sunday 1st April
A better day. Didn't get caught by any April Fools and didn't play any - boys at their Dad's until lunchtime.
The weather was nice and sunny in the afternoon so Joe and I went to Durham for a walk. We walked along the riverbank and chatted about general stuff and chemistry and work and people and places. We went to the Cathedral, awesome as ever and I lit a candle for my Dad. Then down the hill to Vennels for tea and tea bread.

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Day 1 easterhols2012

Well, not a very cheery day for the first day of the holidays. Rain and wind.
We just had a day at home as no one felt like doing anything - I'm still feeling tired out with headache and sore throat - that common 'endoftermitis'. It's #earthhour this evening so going to go to bed early and switch off the lights :)

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