Just back from a three night stay in Leeds. Based around a visit to the Department of Health in Quarry House (see below), we at least managed to get a look around the City Centre, fit in a play and film and have a couple of decent evening meals to kill the pain!
London Rubens Palace Hotel Bash – 6th to 9th February
It’s not just the monarchy that gets two birthdays! On Denise’s “official” birthday (actual birthday last week), we indulged in a three night break in London at the Rubens Palace Hotel. First afternoon we had an excellent afternoon tea at the hotel and, following the leaked news that the break was a delayed birthday bash, the hotel very kindly provided a couple of glasses of champers, a ‘birthday cake’ and happy birthday in chocolate in the tea selection (and a birthday card). Lovely service and a pretty good reflection of the hotel generally.
Aldeburgh Break
Excellent weekend at the Wentworth House Hotel at Aldeburgh to celebrate Denise’s ‘big birthday’. Been threatening to sample this hotel for a while and, although certainly not cheap, it was definitely worth the money. Excellent food (although sad to report that a big cream tea followed by a three course dinner in the evening is now seemingly beyond us) and lovely public spaces, it’s possibly best …
A Rambling We Shall Go – 2015
First ramble of the New Year today. Coincidentally, it started from Newbourne Village Hall, which was the location for our first Ramblers’ walk in June of last year. Not the same walk though, this one took in lovely countryside, some estuary walking along the Deben and parts of Kirton. Strongly suspect we transgressed some local path closures along the estuary, although it wasn’t marked as …
A Sunderland Christmas
Just back from Christmas with Scott and Ginnette in Sunderland. Lovely time, despite not feeling too good with man flu (cold, sore throat, cough etc.). Excellent home made food and an ‘extensive’ selection of alcohol. Boxing Day at the Stadium of Light to see an absolutely woeful display by the Black Cats as they lost 3-1 to Hull City, despite being gifted a goal in …
London Again (03/12/2014)
Can’t stay away at the moment, another trip to London yesterday, second time in six days. Until these recent visits, we hadn’t been down to ‘the smoke’ for quite a while. Same format as the week before, a visit to an exhibition followed by a matinee and then a bite to eat.
London for the Day (27/11/2014)
Last minute decision to pop down to London yesterday, hoping to catch a matinee and then a late night showing at the Courtauld gallery. Went surprisingly well, although in the immortal words of Mr. Morecombe, not necessarily in the right order.
Tyne & Wear Sojourn
Just spent four days in the North East. Managed to fit in a couple of nights with family, a lovely meal out at a local Italian, a nostalgic trip to the Metro Centre (not as impressive as we remembered after 20 odd years away) and an unexpected victory for the oldies at Trivia Pursuit.
Pampering Day
Spent yesterday on a Spa Day special at Clarice House. This was what proved to be a cracking Christmas present from Scott and Ginnette that, as usual, we left till the last minute to use. The day consisted of a 45 minute swim (for me) in the morning, followed by a full one hour body message, a very good two course lunch and a shorter dip …
Rambling Alone….
Or more particularly, on this occasion without the rest of the Ipswich ramblers. Prompted by the threat that this was the last day of good weather (not forever, obviously) we decided to tackle the Sailors Path from Snape To Aldeburgh. Sadly, first section along the Alde was closed for repairs but, even with detour the ramble was a pleasant 6 miler or so – we even …
Georgie Fame at the Apex (17/09/2014)
One off the bucket list last night as we caught Georgie Fame at the Apex in Bury St. Edmunds last night. We’ve seen him a couple of times in other settings (with Van Morrison and Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings) but this was the first time with the man himself as the star of the show.
Day Trip Roundup
Just a catch up post to remind the oldies where we’ve been over the last week or so. Then, in our dotage when we forget all this we can check the blog and remind ourselves that we have actually been to these places. This of course presupposes that we will still be capable of operating a keyboard, mouse or touchscreen (note the order gives my age away!)