I hear you all cry….and so soon after the last visit to Center Parcs (Eleveden Forest) back in July of this very same year. All the reservations hold good, but then so do all the benefits of the attraction, along with the fact that it’s a great place to meet up with our long standing friends from London; and fair is fair, at least Center Parcs provides the facilities required by the couple with whom we were taking the four night break.
Travel
Sisterhood….and a touch more
Back to Jazz At The Fleece last Wednesday and also a return for Sarah Jane Morris, who told us quite early on that she had been performing here for nigh on twenty five years. Well, we have certainly not been going to the venue for that length of time, but we did see her in July 2023 when, on that occasion, she was performing the songs of John Martyn – we enjoyed that one so much, we bought the CD on the night.
Catsitters Forever…
Or at least it starts to feel like it. 🙂 Third time this year for me, fourth for Mrs. No Name and as we now approach these visits like some sort of ritual the posts are going to get increasingly repetitive. Especially as on this occasion we revisited an increasingly familiar haunt on our return, as well as the usual stop off on the way up.
A Different Fleece
Back to Fleece Jazz last Wednesday but a very different vibe as we saw the Steely Jazz Quintet who, as the name implies, reimagined a range of Steely Dan numbers within the jazz environment. Actually not that much of a stretch really, as Becker and Fagan were rooted as much in jazz as they were in rock, pop, blues and even a little funk; and of course, they were really immersed in jazz big time by the release of ‘Aja’, when Dan were in essence Becker and Fagan with an assortment of session players and sidemen.
Or Even Thirds…
Although this title makes no sense unless you’ve been watching very closely indeed…..oh you haven’t, well I forgive you anyway. Our third visit to Center Parcs (Elveden Forest) was a relatively last minute affair, prompted by the news that our friends had booked to go and that, following a frankly horrible series of medical setbacks, it looked as though they would actually be able to make it.
Landguard Point….but not as we know it!
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.
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…