First point of the season for Norwich City last Saturday, drawing 0-0 away to Burnley. Rather less than inspiring, and it seems a long time ago now. In tune with the general feeling, it rained all afternoon and evening. We watched a lot of TV – The Chosen, Lupin, Ted Lasso and MOTD. Bed late. But things looked up after that.
Sunday was dry, but still cool, relatively speaking. Preached at church, mainly on Hebrews 1 and 2. Dot and I sang Stretch out your hands before the service. Only 11 there: Ray and Chris away because Ray had diarrhoea, and Phil was walking the Peddars Way. After lunch we went to a Blofield Church concert : St Gregory’s, with Vicki Ellis starring as soloist in Mozart’s flute concerto. Rodney and Angela there, and so were Bridget and David, and Bridget’s friend who is teaching her maths. Spoke to David and Barbara Pilch, who said she was getting lots of help from Karen. As usual excellent food from church organisers at the interval. Tickets £8 each. Watched North Water, Ted Lasso and Match of the Day. Spurs won 2-1. Haven’t heard from Andrew for a while.
Monday was cool but dry, and rather blowy. Walked up to the sorting office to post back my old BT hub, then finished packing. Left just before 2pm and arrived at Snape at 3.15pm – three quarters of an hour early. Nevertheless we were able to get in – a really nice cottage (Malt Cottage) with steep stairs to the bedrooms. We’d brought quite a lot of food, but we went to the nearby Food Hall and bought some rather esoteric local stuff anyway, then took a brief walk round the site. Very fond of this place.
Tuesday was not a bad night for us, but loads of rain outside and especially in London. We’d been a bit cold in the evening, and I hadn’t worked out how to turn the heating on; so I rang the office and Sue came round and fixed it: there was a flap on the thermostat that I hadn’t spotted. Dot drove to Sutton Hoo, which was as bit like Dippy the Dinosaur in that it wasn’t as dramatic as I thought it would be. Basically it was just a number of mounds in a field, plus a viewing tower which was quite good, because you could see Woodbridge. On the other hand, if you went to Woodbridge you could see Woodbridge.
However, the setting was beautiful, and towards the end – after two exhibitions and lunch in the cafe – we went for an excellent walk recommended by one of the receptionists, which took us into the valley and then up into the woods, with a view of the river. At the end clouds were gathering and we climbed over a gate to get back to the car a matter of seconds before it started pouring. Drove back to Snape, and after a cup of tea Dot went out for a “walk”, which I think means she visited some shops. Later we went to the Plough and Sail for a delicious meal. I had sausages and mash, which was really good, followed by blackberry and apple crumble, which was even better. Had a carafe of Malbec and finished with whisky, in Dot’s case Drambuie. Back at Malt Cottage, about a hundred yards a way, we watched the final episode of Silent Witness. Earlier I spoke to Gill Stedman on the phone and arranged visit on the way home on Friday.
It rained overnight again, but we had a good sleep. After a latish breakfast Dot drove to Shingle Street, with me directing her, following Robin’s instructions. Lots of shingle. unsurprisingly, and a very cold and strong wind from onshore. Walked to the sea and then drove on and walked a little more. Too cold to hang about. Then I drove to Bawdsey Quay – very exposed, with the water splashing over the edge. Took a few photos and then drove to the Ramsholt Arms, where we had a starter-and-sweet meal: very good. Second crumble in two days, and both excellent in different ways.
Still cold and blowy, but we drove up to the church, which was beautiful and had a good view back down to the river. Then followed satnav to Orford, where the weather improved somewhat. Parked in car park unnecessarily and walked up into town in search of tea shop: eventually found one in church hall. Lovely people, and Dot could go to the loo. Walked back and drove on to the quay for a while. The sun even came out. Dot drove back to Snape. Watched three episodes of The Chosen in the evening. Posted birthday card to Fred, and then we both took short walk to look at the stars. Clear skies, and almost no wind.
Thursday (yesterday) was warmer but overcast and quite still. Drove to Aldeburgh in the morning. Bought two tops for Dot and walked along the seafront, then drove up to the end of the road and back to Snape, filling up with petrol on the way. Yippee! No queue. In the afternoon we walked down the beautiful river path to Iken Church – longer than anticipated because the last bit was on the road. Bit of a trek, but a nice church. No view from there, though – surrounded by private property. Very tired when we got back, but it only took us an hour. Another very good meal at the Plough and Sail: another excellent waitress, another fine crumble. Watched two more episodes of The Chosen and sent a postcard to Andrew.
Today started very misty and therefore rather cooler. I located the bins and the bottle bank and deposited the rubbish while Dot packed her stuff and washed her hair. We had to be out by 10am and left at roughly 9.59, driving to Framlingham by way of Great Glemham: winding country roads. Found The Mowbrays easily, but number 44 was more of a problem. Had tea and biscuits with Gill and Mick Stedman, who said the numbering system seemed to have consisted of throwing all the numbers in the air and allocating them as they fell.
We had a long chat: they both seemed quite well, and their family was in a healthy state. Nice to see them. Mick was our vicar back in Yelverton in the 1970s and 80s. At about 1pm they offered lunch, but we declined and drove back to Norwich via Harleston and Hempnall – a good route avoiding all the main roads. Unpacked and had a late lunch. House seemed pretty cold, because it was.