Back last night from five days at Snape, starting on Monday, which was cool and overcast. Dot dropped me off at church in the morning, where our group had a discussion about music – no-one liked yesterday’s selection or the speed (very slow) at which it was played. Nor did I, but there we are. Later  Leanne, Nikki, Stacey, Phil and I did a Bible Study, mainly on Jesus as the Bread of Life, which was interesting. Dot came around 11.30 and stayed for a while before taking me home. As we left she slipped and fell (again) but seems ok (again). The path was wet.

Left for Snape at just after 2pm and had a leisurely journey there by the back route. Arrived 3.30pm (half an hour early), had a cup of tea and settled in. To Plough and Sail in the evening for meal. Fish and chips, vodka/gin, wine. Short walk afterwards. I watched Silent Witness while Dot went to sleep. 

Tuesday was warm and pleasant. Walked round Snape to start with, looking in on Remains to be Seen exhibition, which was very interesting., especially figures by Lawrence Edwards. Chatted with girl student from Chicago. Walked along the river path for a bit. Into the main shop – Dot bought some shower gel (I think) – then had lunch in River View cafe. Had some egg concoction that was probably well done but not really my thing. Dot had asparagus and tomatoes on toast, and a bit of cake. Service very slow.

After lunch drove to Iken Cliffs and walked down by the river for a while, then drove to Iken Church and went in. From there drove to Orford, and Dot found an excellent delicatessen-type shop specialising in smoked fish. Bought some stuff there and some from another shop where blackbirds were eating the pears. Also visited the quay and took some brochures about river trips. Later, having checked the forecast, booked one on Regardless – for Thursday. Home, then went to Thorpeness (Dot driving) and parked by shore to do some reading. I went to sleep. Back to Snape via Aldeburgh for tea. Later read, then watched an old episode of Doc Martin and the news.

Heavy rain overnight, but we stayed in bed on Wednesday until it brightened mid-morning. Later it was very warm and dry. We decided to go into Woodbridge to visit the violin shop – Dot has decided she needs a new violin, and I agree. After parking where we had on our previous visit to Woodbridge, we took a rather circuitous route to the violin shop.  The man there couldn’t have been more helpful and told us the likely price, which was what we anticipated.  We then walked back by a different route which brought us close to the river/estuary, and we stopped for a snack at an excellent cafe/restaurant, A-Listers, where the service was in stark contrast to River View yesterday. So was the food: I had salmon pate and Dot had  some meat platter with ciabatta: we shared a bit of each other’s.

Then walked along shoreline and popped into a museum when it seemed it might rain. Then Back up to Honey and Harvey, a cafe we had visited last time. I had lemongrass and ginger tea. The tree in the courtyard had been removed. Bought some fruit and headed back to the car, then drove back to Snape, pausing for a while at Boxhall Woods to read, but it was too hot!! So back to the cottage. Lovely meal at Plough and Snail. Bottle of rose plus sambuca/Tia Maria.  Short walk, lovely sky. Very still. Watched documentary about ash cloud in between falling asleep. 

Thursday was warm, but with a cooler wind when clouds came over, which they did more as the day progressed. Very pleasant, though. In the morning Dot did some shopping and I walked around the site. Then we drove to Orford, arriving well before we needed to for our boat trip on Regardless. There were eight of us in the end, plus the owner and a dog – happily restrained.The breeze was quite brisk, especially outwards as we sailed round Havergate Island, which is a bird sanctuary. Saw some oystercatchers and avocets (I now know which is which), plus a solitary seal at the entrance to Butley    Creek.

Round trip took an hour, after which Dot drove us to Sutton Hoo, and we had lunch in the cafe – sandwiches – followed by the River View Walk, which we’d done before but enjoyed again. View of Woodbridge at a couple of points! Afterwards drove home. I slept for a bit while Dot read, then we had tea and I walked Dot to the concert hall for her violin concert; she had purchased the last ticket. Should have been Nicola Benedetti, but she had tendonitis; however her replacement was excellent. At Sutton Hoo we had a call from Anne, who is just off to Portugal, having deposited Philip in a care home at Bungay for ten days. Later in the evening spoke to Amy on FaceTime.

Yesterday was warm again and mainly sunny. Managed to get out of Malt Cottage by 10am. Drove to Bawdsey Quay and then to Ramsholt Church, where we took a few pictures. Then down to Ramsholt Arms for fish and chips lunch. All went very well. I had wine; so Dot drove back to Snape by a circuitous route directed by Google. Walked a bit and went to loo, then back to car to change (slightly) before going to concert. Doric String Quartet played Bartok – really excellent. Had cup of tea afterwards from cabin by river, then I drove home: 75 mins, same as journey down. Arrived in time for late drinks outside with D’Sousas, who had got back from Canada a couple of hours earlier. Also Mark and John, plus a brief visit from the new French baby.  Unpacked, watched cricket and then the end of Spreadsheet and Silent Witness. Very tired.