Landguard Point is a historic and scenic headland at the southern tip of Suffolk, England, featuring a fort, nature reserve, and coastal walking. Apparently it is the southernmost point of Suffolk, immediately south of the Port of Felixstowe, and faces Harwich to the west and the reason there is a short passenger ferry crossing from the Fort coastline. But, in big news, Landguard Fort was not the reason for our visit.
Travel
Chichester and beyond….
….but not very far beyond to be honest, as although we booked a five night break, we didn’t actually venture much beyond the self imposed “ten mile from” Chichester rule – partly because at 90 degrees (32 Celsius for any modernists out there) we considered it an ethical victory to simply avoid evaporating in the ‘melting pot’ (shout out to Blue Mink, although both the group and the song are probably cancelled by now 🫨). In addition, we went down by train (astonishing I know) and it meant we were reliant on train, bus and taxi whilst there. It all proved to be fine though, despite a couple of minor train alterations because of the heat.
Again….Surely Not!
Back just over a week now from another cat sitting in Sunderland as S&G indulged in their annual trip to the lovely isle of Arran. I can report that the overnight stop on the way up (at Wentbridge) was as excellent as ever and that Bobby and William were both perfectly behaved throughout our stay.
Unknown Suffolk – It Can Still Surprise!
Friday morning and nothing better to do – so what better than a shortish trip to a (very) small Suffolk village to investigate an interesting artefact in the local church. We only know of this Retable because when we went to Norwich Cathedral a couple of months ago, we saw the 14thC Despenser Reredos – one of the Cathedral’s greatest treasures and the only surviving medieval English altarpiece with scenes from Christ’s Passion. It is also known as the Despenser Retable. Want to know the difference between reredos and Retable – google it….(other search engines are available!)
South Causey CP – Before and Beyond
Just back from a two week jaunt to the North East. The core of the trip was the Civvy P of S&G but we managed a little of the ‘before and after’ to keep it even more interesting. Five hotels and a five day catsitting on behalf of the ‘honeymooners’ kept it “varied”. Back to the favourite stop off on the way up, as we had another overnighter at the Wentbridge House Hotel. Usual good night’s sleep although booking a ‘cosy room’ seems a little pointless as we always seem to get upgraded. Breakfast and then on to South Causey.
Norwich Birthday Bash
A three night break in Norwich to celebrate the not to be mentioned birthday of an individual who goes under the moniker of Mrs. No Name. Riveting news includes the imparting of our mode of transport, which was the train, and a new hotel for us – I decreed that was a very risky thing to do but it proved to be a delightful break …
Another First for the “Oldies”
So, having decided on a quiet one at home his year, Mrs. No Name received an email that at the bottom in small print announced two cancellations at the Wentworth Hotel in Aldeburgh for a three night Christmas break. Shockingly, largely because we know and love the Wentworth, we acted on it straight away, booked the accommodation and received an outline of the itinerary. So far, so very good…
Bryan Corbett’s Instrumental Groove Unit
Another visit to Jaz Fleece and another overnight stay; this musician was new to me but as we are definitely becoming more open to trying a myriad of different approaches at our newly adopted home, we decided to give him a go. As a confirmed R&B aficionado, I am relatively new to the jazz genre so I would entreat (implore, beseech, supplicate, pray etc.) you to treat me very gently. As we quickly discovered with this particular performance, there are clearly a plethora of truly astonishing players journeying these shores performing to remarkably sparse audiences. Although, since Bryan let it be known that he had being visiting Jazz Fleece since its time in Boxford, clearly it didn’t unduly dishearten him or the “band”.
Long Overdue Catch Up
Went down to Colchester on Tuesday last to meet up with our ‘China holiday’ friends and discovered we hadn’t met for close on a year, which is the height of tardiness, even for us. Went for lunch but on this occasion we decided to give Carluccio’s a punt as it was inside a well known department store and was only a short walk from the car park (which appears to have increased its prices without any noticeable improvement in its general upkeep).
Habit Forming Yet? (Blue Spirits)
Another visit to Jazz At The Fleece and another overnight stay at Stoke-By-Nayland Resort, although on this occasion we decided to have lunch in the lounge and upgraded the room (worth the extra we both agreed). Still extremely good value for money and, as the title indicates, it’s starting to feel like a home from home, although I’m convinced it’s going to be years until we will be considered anything other than naïve novices. It is however a great way of getting to grips with superb jazz players (not literally obviously, that would be rude), knowing that if someone doesn’t ‘float your boat’ for whatever reason, you’ve still had a lovely break at a fine hotel.
A Dangerous habit forming??
Not two weeks (actually it’s exactly two weeks since the last gig but hey-ho) since our last visit and here we are again, returning for a very different type of gig from the last. On this occasion we went to see the Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion, a vocalist and band who we are assured (by the Fleece Jazz promotional literature) have a foot firmly in both the jazz and blues camps. Again, to facilitate our OCD tendencies, we took the fleeze jazz package, which included an overnight stay at the hotel and breakfast the following morning.
Back To The Fleece – Antonio Forcione
Over two years after our last visit, we booked a return to Stoke by Nayland hotel and spa and to Jazz At The Fleece to sample the guitar delights of Antonio Forcione. In the interests of all I should disclose that we hadn’t heard of Antonio, which is of course a sad reflection on us rather than the artist, but we were intrigued by the short bio and reviews on the Fleece site and decided to give it a shot. As an aside, the Jazz at the Fleece offer at the hotel (overnight stay, two tickets to the concert and breakfast the following morning is a cracking deal, in my very humble opinion!