The title might be a slight misnomer (ok, exaggeration) but we have continued to expand our horizons with two further trips in the last ten days or so. On the Wednesday we decided, somewhat on a whim, to visit the market town of Diss for probably only the third time since 1995!
Category Group: Main site
This is for the main site, not the R&B section
Ickworth House
Took advantage of the decent weather and made a long overdue return visit to the National Trust Ickworth House & Gardens. Couldn’t be sure of the appropriate turn off on the A14, so ended up in BSE where it was then at least sign-posted. As is now customary and blindingly transparent to all who know us, we parked up and went straight for coffee and two shared cakes. The coffee was tasty (as were the cakes) and by the time we’d finished we were ready for the walking (not really).
Steady As She Goes…
Slowly but surely….as lockdown tentatively releases its grip (hopefully) we ventured a little futher afield and took a week’s break in peak district Derbyshire in Ashover, where we were joined for the first weekend by Mrs. No Name’s son and girlfriend SJ & G. The cottage was lovely and large, so we could adapt to the limiting circumstances, although we at least are now fully vaccinated.
Rambling Returns
Not, as intimated, a return to the formal rambling group, but an attempt to extend our general lockdown exercise into something a little more extensive. As the pandemic restrictions ease slightly, we decided to aim for around five mile walks using some of our parish walk leaflets that we’ve had for years. We have used them before, but not for many many years, to be honest. So far we have done a few variants based around Martlesham Creek and we then moved on to the Foxhall leaflet, which allowed us to go through the local woods and the on to Purdis Farm, then back along the boardwalks abutting Mill River. All circa five miles and all much lovelier than we remember.
Wilder Woes (Part 2)
Well, I promised and here it is. In truth, there isn’t much to add unless you are very close to the ground. 180 odd miles away, even with the benefit of on-line reporting, official and unofficial output is a little sketchy. I did see a report from the owner briefing that suggested that CW was demanding £4 million to depart but, as far as I …
Deja Vu
Well it’s all being happening. Or alternatively, very little. We had managed a few walks around Woodbridge, culminating in coffee and cake in Notcutts, which we had used as the start point for the walks. We also visited Aldeburgh on a couple of occasions, which was busy but still pleasant and we consistently finished with a visit to the excellent coffee shop and bakery Two …
Private Gallery: Silversea Sojourn
Private Gallery | 2017-2021 | Silversea Sojourn
Audley End
After the experiment that was Covehithe, yesterday was the next enticing stage in the new normal, a trip to Audley End and to a meeting with friends. Audley was a compromise as it was equidistant for both and had the very real added advantage of being open!
Covehithe, the ‘Lockdown’ Mystery
Well hello, it’s been a while 🙂 . I did consider a review of an undoubtedly extraordinary period defined by coronavirus but determined that on the whole, as we were in the fortunate category, I would leave it to those whose livelihood was directly affected, had no direct access to outside space and who were considerably impacted by lockdown, economically, socially and in terms of the potential impact on their mental / physical health. Far better hearing from those more directly affected, who are far better placed than I to comment.
So, here instead is our first step back into the (new) normal.
A “Socially Distanced” Visit
Welcome back. In the unlikely event that you are bemused by the lack of posts, fear not. For more, investigate the post following this entry. This was a visit from Scott and Gilli, who were brave enough to drive down from the North East to spend two days in sunny Suffolk. Appropriate distancing measures were put in place, including separate bathroom / washroom facilities (en-suite coming to the rescue).
Great Hallingbury
Another two nighter, this time to see friends we first met on our second ever cruise on the Jewel of the Seas in 2007. We stayed at the Great Hallingbury Manor, which proved to be roughly equidistant from our respective abodes. There were two negatives, neither to do with the hotel. The first was the diversion, which added 10 minutes to the journey (and 30 minutes if you end up visiting the M11 in error :-). The second was the flight path. No matter which way you cut it, the hotel is directly (that’s directly) under the Stansted flight path…
Another Milsoms
A midweek overnighter at a Milsoms hotel, this time with friends in Dedham. On the first day we had a pleasant afternoon in Dedham itself, prior to the evening meal in the hotel. The following morning, a leisurely breakfast was followed by a morning coffee in the lounge (a liqueur coffee in my case!!) and then a return trip to Flatford. The hotel itself was …