Just a vehicle for the odd ramble or two, the most recent first (OK, apart from this introduction). Well, it keeps me out of trouble. It’s also a useful way to remember what we actually did last week, year or decade – an antidote to the senior moments! So, occasional entries may or may not be posted here on anything from holidays, sport, music, theatre, cinema or……..
This is a very specific post, aimed fairly and squarely in the direction of Mrs. No. Name, largely in response to her not too infrequent accusatory remarks that we haven’t really been anywhere. So, apologies to the vast general readership (oh the irony) but unless travel and lists are your thing, this one isn’t really for you…
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.
….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.
….. Cherry Red Records, a label I know I’ve mentioned before, but a latest purchase prompts me to explore the merits of the anthologies Cherry Red has put out over the years. Are they worth the admission price and would you, dear reader, push the monetary envelope to purchase them. Well Your Honour, the case for the defence is perhaps best exemplified by the recent acquisition of “When Will They Ever Learn?”, a four CD anthology of U.S. Folk Music from 1963-1969.
As I ventured into Ipswich on one of my ever decreasing forays into the town, it dawned on me that I have grown increasingly disenchanted with the county town of Suffolk. I don’t know whether it’s my slowly decreasing tolerance levels towards mediocrity or whether the town is simply howling “shitty” to the Ipswich faithful but there is little except the odd errand to justify the bus ride in – thank you at least for the old codger bus pass.
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.
Not to be outdone by yours truly, Mrs. No Name, on one of many outdoor pursuits, managed to damage her finger when attempting to control a basketball in what she was at pains to point out was a very complicated manoeuvre to complete successfully – which of course, she didn’t, which turned out to be rather the point 🤕🤕.
As I was taking a stroll into Felixstowe yesterday, after leaving Mrs. No Name to enjoy one of the regular items in her busy social calendar, I approached a building that was fort like in appearance and gave every indication of being brutalist in nature. So it was somewhat of a surprise to find it was the Church of St. Andrew and as it was open and happy to receive visitors, I duly wandered in.
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!)
After a somewhat lengthy absence we finally returned to Stoke By Nayland and home of Jazz Fleece for what we hope will be a series of overnighters and jazz gigs. Unfortunately, these may be a little sporadic, given the serious business that is Mrs. No Names’ excessive and detailed calendar of activities! For example, we are missing “The Wonder Of Stevie” in three weeks time because of one of her conflicting reveries – shock horror!
Just an update for the few who might know me personally – for others this will be a pointless excuse for a blog entry. I mentioned that I was ‘a little’ poorly on the South Causey break, what with the cold/Covid shenanigans and the toothache I’d had for weeks. Well on my return I went to the dentist who couldn’t really establish any core problem in the affected area (although a very small filling was completed).
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.
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 …