being the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough and for the house within which he spent his childhood. We’ve been threatening to go for many years and, on Friday, we finally did. He later resided there (again), following the death of his father in 1748 and before his move to Ipswich.[6] The building still survives and is now a house-museum dedicated to his life and art. Thee house was (predominantly) the focus for the journey.
Travel
Catsitting (They’re Leaving Everything)
With apologies to the living legend, but for some reason as we report back on the first of this year’s annual catsitting sojourns, Leo’s ‘Moonlighting‘ came to my ageing memory (and then found its way on to the page by way of the title) – so there you have it. In other news, as before, we again extended the catsitting week and explored further up the Northumberland coast, to make it feel a little more like a proper holiday.
And Now For Seconds….
After saying we would probably never return, almost 12 months on, we did precisely that! Another meet up with the friends we met last year, back at the Center Parcs at Elveden Forest for four nights last week. Not much to add to the entry about last year, other than to say that at least this year’s break was completed without major incident or illness to either party!
Jubilee Hall and more….
The more turned out to be a weekend (two night) break at the White Lion, wrapped around the Young’uns Saturday Night gig at the Jubilee Hall. We could have easily travelled up to Aldeburgh specifically for the concert but it is pleasant to be able to combine it with short break. Lucky and/or smart enough to be able to do so I guess…
God’s County
Or indeed, a trip to God’s Country I suppose, but I’ve always been an introverted Yorkshireman, so I draw the line at County rather than drawing parallels between my county of birth and the whole of the country – it wouldn’t do the latter any favours he says with fervour. We could have done without the unseasonably cold snap, where the heavy snow put the first two legs in serious jeopardy! Then again, I didn’t expect a simple invitation to an 80th birthday lunch for Mrs. No Name’s cousin to lead to a fourteen day sojourn and five hotel stays either….
North Walsham Wandering
Back from a three nighter in North Walsham in Norfolk at the Beechwood hotel, a place we’d often looked at but had never actually got round to trying. Encouraged by a deal, we fell for the DB&B rate, although the thought of a true four course dinner three nights in a row ‘fuelled’ a little trepidation in the elderly visitors – that’s us by the way, how we yearn for the robust appetites of our younger selves.
And Another Thing…
Recently, it has occurred to me that this blog goes relatively long periods without entries of any significance or, worse still, no activity at all. Well, knock me over with a feather duster and call me Beryl! This of course does not mean that I am lying prostrate on my chaise longue surrounded by cherubs feeding me grapes and generally attending to my every whim (apparently).
Birthday Bash
As is now the custom, we celebrated Mrs. No Names latest milestone with a couple of ‘activities’ based around a long weekend, starting on the Friday before the event and finishing on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the birthday itself.
Magical Mystery Tour!
Well I say magical mystery tour. It was less a tour and more an unknown destination as this latest short break away was organised by Mrs. No Name with zero input from me. All I was told was that I should pack for three nights only and it would be casual throughout. Oh, and it would only be around an hour away.
The ‘Cathedral’ at Leiston
Or, as it is much more usually named, the Long Shop Museum at Leiston. Finally found our way there, another of those ‘we’ve lived in the area 25 years and still haven’t been to one of the many local attractions’ moments. Of course, we’ve been to Leiston before and to the remarkably well preserved Abbey ruins, but it’s taken the Arts Pass to shake off the inertia and visit the museum.
Once More Unto The Cats…
Barely three weeks after the last catsitting sojourn, we were back there again whilst S&G ventured to the highlands of Scotland. This one lasted over a fortnight and I managed to secure four hotel visits travelling up and down the country.
Catsitting and Beyond
No sooner was Mrs. No Name back from a four day catsitting whilst son and girlfriend attended Latitude than we were scheduled back up in Sunderland for the longer holiday vigil. So we bookended the visit to make it a little more of a holiday break, blessed by lovely weather throughout.
Took a two nighter at Wentbridge House hotel, fast becoming the customary stopover on the way up. Took two nights so we could sample a couple of National Trust / English Heritage properties:-