Day 5 #summerhols2012

Today we went to Southwold. We started off on the pier and had tea and cake.
Geoff tried out the alternative amusements such as the Auto Frisk much to my embarrassment.






We then walked along the beach which was beautiful and I paddled.



I haven't managed to visit any libraries so far but we did go in the Sailors Reading Room.






We walked into the town and got a takeaway salad from the delicatessen and sat in the churchyard to eat it. The church looked beautiful and so we went to explore it. There was an organ recital going on so we listened for a bit and then looked round.






We were going to visit the museum as it had been recommended but it was closed due to flooding....



We went to the Adnams brewery cafe and kitchen shop and sampled the gin and beer icecream :)

Next we drove to Walberswick and went to the beach. Although pebbles it was great for paddling (have still not persuaded Geoff to paddle).






On the way home we stopped in Woodbridge for something to eat. We went to the Riverside Cafe Restaurant which is part of the cinema and theatre. The food was really good. I had scallops and pea purée which is one of my favorites and then I was defeated by sea bass and crab linguine.






We looked at the station and the boats then came home tired out after a happy, sunny day.

Day 5 #summerhols2012

Today we went to Southwold. We started off on the pier and had tea and cake.
Geoff tried out the alternative amusements such as the Auto Frisk much to my embarrassment.






We then walked along the beach which was beautiful and I paddled.



I haven't managed to visit any libraries so far but we did go in the Sailors Reading Room.






We walked into the town and got a takeaway salad from the delicatessen and sat in the churchyard to eat it. The church looked beautiful and so we went to explore it. There was an organ recital going on so we listened for a bit and then looked round.






We were going to visit the museum as it had been recommended but it was closed due to flooding....



We went to the Adnams brewery cafe and kitchen shop and sampled the gin and beer icecream :)

Next we drove to Walberswick and went to the beach. Although pebbles it was great for paddling (have still not persuaded Geoff to paddle).






On the way home we stopped in Woodbridge for something to eat. We went to the Riverside Cafe Restaurant which is part of the cinema and theatre. The food was really good. I had scallops and pea purée which is one of my favorites and then I was defeated by sea bass and crab linguine.






We looked at the station and the boats then came home tired out after a happy, sunny day.

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.