A Short Hop

Sometimes you don't need to go very far to find interesting things.

We drove about one and a half hours to check into our hotel at 12.30, and then walked into Thorpeness for a lunch of Avocado on sourdough at The Kitchen which was very popular on this unseasonably warm day in February.

Setting off for a walk towards Aldeburgh we soon got away from the crowds swarming around the village green and mere. Walking along an unsurfaced road we soon encountered some of the villages interesting architecture - the house in the clouds. Apparently you can stay in the house for a week if you have £2-3000 depending on the time of year.

House in the Clouds, Thorpeness

Almost opposite this remarkable house is Thorpeness Mill, which was built in 1803, but then moved to Thorpeness in 1923 when it was used to pump water to the House in the Clouds, which at that time was used as a water tower.

Thorpeness Mill

We followed an old railway line (another victim of Dr Beeching) which now makes a pleasant route for walkers until we reached Aldeburgh and quickly made our way to Cragg Sisters tearoom. A variety of exotic quality teas are available to enjoy.

It was soon time to head back towards Thorpeness and we headed out through the reeds towards the sea in the fading light to witness a beautiful sunset. The trouble was it was getting chilly now - good job we went prepared for it - NOT! We had been fooled by the earlier sunshine and had to keep moving to try and keep warm.

Sunset over Aldeburgh Marshes

As we reached the shingle beach the other side of Aldeburgh we arrived at the Scallop sculpture - a tribute to the composer Benjamin Britten. Last time we saw the scallop it was covered in cider swigging youths getting a bit of culture, and not very photogenic. This time it was getting dark and barely visible.

Scallop Sculpture, Aldeburgh

At least the young man who wanted to use the sculpture to hide from his parents politely waited until we had taken our photos before doing so.

The journey back to Thorpeness became more and more difficult as we couldn't see the path anymore and had to resort to walking on the road for a while, but we made it and got back to the hotel for some tea in the bar. Post tea drinks were partly spoilt by a bunch of men who had been allowed to have a weekends golfing without the wives and decided to start a loud game of cards.

We adjourned to our room for a glass of wine or two and to discover that Siri really doesn't understand Michelle's Salford accent.

The next morning we were up reasonably early to check out of the golf hotel (we could see the course from our window) to discover that we had paid for breakfast after all so dashed to the restaurant with 15 minutes to spare. Full English and a Pain au chocolate were quickly consumed before we escaped the mass hordes of Rupert the bear trouser wearing golfists to further explore the village.

More Thorpeness Architecture

The weather was once again wonderful for February and we wandered round the streets and arches of this unique village before heading off to Snape Maltings.

Snape Maltings is the scene of one of Michelle's greatest victories. We were last here years ago and she purchased a glass which survives to this day, during which time I have purchased many and varied glasses only to destroy them all during some incident or other in the kitchen.

On arrival I fairly promptly stood in some dog poo so then spent the next 20 minutes trying to remove it on grass and any doormats I could find. Then on to the job in hand - browsing the shopping areas, tasting Stokes sauces, checking out the cafe, a little walk across the marshland before returning for more coffee and cake.

Thorpeness Green