Geoff Brock & Bruce Gamble
         
     

June/July 2022: Southwold

 
   

After the cancellation of our cruise to Alaska, we decided at fairly short notice to go back to our happy place, Southwold for a week, which we then extended by four days. We didn't stay at Seaview House, because the rates had gone up significantly and we didn't feel that it provided value for money anymore. Instead we stayed at a place with comparable views and better facilities, which we had seen the inside of when Jane and David stayed there last year. We liked it so much that we will almost certainly go back there again.

 
We used the newly opened Elizabeth line between Farringdon and Liverpool Street for part of our journey.
 
 
 
 
We were impressed by the engineering on the new line, including the inclinator lift!
 
Our home for the next eleven days. Our flat had its own entrance (the blue door) with the accommodation split over the two floors above.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We usually visit in the autumn so it was good to be here in summer to see different plants in flower.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Geoff bought some lovely meat from the local butcher.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We enjoyed several walks to Walberswick during our stay.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Another of our favourite places. The Bell at Walberswick.
 
 
Geoff loves whitebait, which isn't easy to get elsewhere.
 
 
 
 
 
Bruce asked for one scoop of ice cream. He got a lot more. (The lady from last year recognised him!)
  
 
 
Fresh crab from the market with salads from the deli - lovely!
 
 
 
The daily ritual of morning coffee and pastries!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Well, it amused us.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attempt at selfies!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nesting gulls among the chimneys.
 
 
 
 
We enjoyed a couple of nature walk to the Old Hall Cafe, which we only discovered last time we were here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steak from the local butcher, accompanied by wine from an estate we visited in Italy. It was a superb meal, thanks to Geoff.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This oyster catcher washed the worm it caught in the river... well mud isn't that tasty!
 
 
 
A sedge warbler - probably.
 
The swan was not in the least bit happy with the attention.
 
The cows seemed to be very interested in us too.
 
A rook... or a crow?
 
 
Tame sparrows eating out of Geoff's hand in the pub garden...
 
... but they soon scattered when a weasel (we think) started taking too much interest!
 
 
 
 
 
David made a special day trip to come and see us, which we really appreciated. He brought chocolates for Bruce's birthday (from himself and Jane) which were also very much appreciated. We treated him to lunch at The Bell to thank him.
 
 

Seen from our balcony - Excelsior, Lowestoft Fishing Smack en-route to Lowestoft, we think.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bruce's birthday
 
Geoff booked a table at one of our favourite restaurants, Sutherland House. We had a table in the garden right next to where a wren was nesting. It was difficult to take a photo of it because it was so quick, but we did get a couple.
 
 
It was a lovely meal. Dessert for Bruce was this Chocolate and hazelnut panne cotta which was excellent.
 
The days slipped past too quickly. Here we wait at Halesworth station for our train back home.
 
It was another lovely holiday. Here's hoping for many more visits.
 
 
 
©Geoff Brock and Bruce Gamble