One of the slightly surreal repercussions of the Covid 19 pandemic is the need to ‘discover’ places in the more immediate vicinity to which you have rarely, if ever, been before. We are lucky that at the peak of lockdown we at least had walkable areas that allowed you to exercise without encountering too many others along the route, but enthusiasm did still begin to wane a lttle after a while.
General
Bircham Break
So, this was the big one as we painstakingly reintegrate ourselves into the ‘normal world’. Well, not really but it was our first foray into paid for accommodation, which we eased back into with a return to a lovely hotel that we had first visited in more placid terms around two years ago – The Kings Head Country Hotel at Great Bircham in Norfolk.
Thetford Trek
Taking advantage of the good weather yesterday, we planned a day trip that combined a closer look at Thetford (otherwise known as actually stopping there rather than simply driving through) with a visit to a couple of English Heritage sites; all free anyway, but nonetheless, more of an incentive to seek out less familiar haunts.
Cat Sitting
This was the next in the new environment….armed with masks and gel, we made the 307 mile journey up to Sunderland to cat sit to allow Scott a well earned week away. The journey up went remarkably smoothly, helped by a picnic lovingly prepared by yours truly. Managed to catch up with Scott and Gilli before their next day departure and then eight days of us and the cats. It should be said at this point that Mrs. No Name admirably handled virtually all of the domestic cat duties throughout the stay, including a transformed but still tetchy Bingo, who although generally much more placid still managed to showcase disdain and distaste for her nightly medication.
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).
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 …
Christmas and more
Just back from a lovely Christmas break at Scott’s, blessed with good company and relatively placid weather. On the way up to the North East we had a stopover at the Belton Woods Hotel, which was a significant improvement over our last visit. No Downtown bargain purchases though!
London in Three
Took the opportunity of a hastily arranged trip to London for Mrs. No Name and friend to catch the Mary Quant exhibition as an excuse to extend the stay into a three nighter at the Bailey Hotel just off Gloucester Road.
Pee Wee Ellis
That time of year again and Monday night was the first of four somewhat interesting choices for this year’s Snape Proms. Pee Wee, as any Van the Man fan will tell you, was Morrison’s horn player and musical director for much of the 80s (again in the 90s), although Ellis has had a much richer and varied career than that….
Maritime Harwich..
On Saturday, decided on the spur of the moment to revisit Harwich after a mere 12 year break or so. We set out with the idea of running around the designated Maritime Heritage Trail and, whilst we covered quite a bit of it, it didn’t quite pan out like that in the end….
This and that…
Had what must have been our first proper country walk for ages yesterday, along the river at Orford. A decent four miler, followed by coffee and a bite to eat. Other than that, I’ve been going to the gym a couple of times a week, had a few lunches at a variety of lovely pubs (including a visit to the Lighthouse at Aldeburgh) and had …
Ablation Update
Attended a follow-up appointment at Papworth on Wednesday of last week. Generally positive and a reduction in the heart rhythm medication all for the good. Will probably be on Apixaban (the blood thinners) for life but when you’ve had a stroke that’s no bad thing. Will now keep in contact with the consultant by email as I reduce the flecainide over the next two months. Will be interesting to see if the AF holds off without the medication. If it does, the ablation outlook looks very promising….