6^th August 2017

Dear All,

We have had a very enjoyable holiday in Aldeburgh with the family. Our accommodation was a 3 storey house in sight of the sea with steps down to a contained garden, which kept the children (and grandpa) happy for much of the time.

Mary-Ann collected Esther on the way, which was fortunate as she was not feeling too good initially. Andy arrived from Holland via Harwich, Manningtree, Ipswich and Saxmundham. Ben had tickets for the Test Match on Saturday and came by train that evening but had to leave Monday for a colleague’s funeral. He returned by bike on Tuesday (190 Km) and left Friday to Cromer and stayed here last night – over 500 Km in all.

We explored Aldeburgh on Saturday first by following the “Where’s Wally” trail then took in “The Scallop” and local playground.

On Sunday we were in Southwold for serious crab fishing in the harbour then walked along the coast to the pier. Ben swam most of the way but it did not look too inviting! We called at Dunwich on the way back.

Monday we took in Easton Farm Park which is very well set up for children and adults with a working blacksmith, several Suffolk Punches and a complete array of farm animals. Amélie had a great time stroking rabbits and Guinea pigs, bouncing on a giant inflatable cushion and having two pony rides. Albert was brave enough to feed the chickens but drew the line at anything larger! Some of us called in at Wickham Market on the way home.

It was Thorpeness on Tuesday, rowing on the lake and visiting the “House in the Clouds” and windmill. Andy had to leave for Croatia in the afternoon and the rest of the party went to the Red House – Benjamin Britten’s home which now hosts music and craft activities. Amélie made a bug house and was featured on their web site. The house has a large garden with games laid out and the highlight was spotting a grass snake in the pond. In the evening Kate’s sister Sue, who lives in Beccles, came for a meal together with husband Bill, daughter, son-in-law and two children. It was a tight squeeze but it was good to see them.

Wednesday it was Framlingham Castle which again accommodated children with fight displays, armour to try on, walks round the battlements and a giant slide. Highlight here was successful kite flying. We called at Snape Maltings on the way back and encountered our first serious rainfall.

Thursday’s outing was to the “Oasis Camel Park” near Halesworth. An unsuccessful smallholder had turned his land over to a camelids theme park with about a dozen camels, plus alpacas, llamas and guanaco together with other livestock such as meercats, rheas, deer and pigs. There was a small museum, a lecture and opportunities to ride camels and donkeys as well as crazy golf.

Everyone left on Friday and Kate and I took the opportunity of crossing over to Orford Ness – a short boat ride from Orford Quay then explore the wildlife and abandoned military installations. It is now largely run by the National Trust and was interesting to explore.

The garden had of course run riot while we were away despite asking a few folk to help themselves.

Love

Mike & Kate