Lovely end to a bad start.

 Today, I had planned a local day out in the Romahome. I am getting it ready for the trip to Suffolk. The day got off to a bad start. I packed supplies and made sure Alf's new seat and safety harness were working. I had to adjust the driver's seat, and of course, it was stuck in the back position used by someone else. In adjusting the seat, I strained my back - again. 

I  was ready to give up and had a couple of hour's of self-indulgent woe-is-me. Then Alf reminded me that he hadn't been walked yet and was itching to do zoomies. We set off for the nearest walk with an all-day-food pub. The Millstream, on the banks of the Purwell, and backing onto Walsworth Common.

We parked in the overflow carpark across the lovely wooden bridge and parked under the trees.

After a short walk on the Common, I left Alf in the shade, tied to the rear seatbelt strut. I went into the pub to order lunch and was a little irritated to learn that I needed a table number. The waitress did not have the flexibility of mind to enable me to have lunch delivered to the Romahome.

I selected a table and gave the number with my order. I then took my lime and soda back to the van for 10 minutes, before colleting my meal and carrying it back. 

First meal out this year. Eating alone is not one of my favourite things, yet it happens every day. Most of my friends are part of a couple, and family live too far away to have regular meals with them.

It can't be helped, and yet I still find it a regular reminder that Eamonn has gone.

After lunch, and returning the plate to the table, Alf and I had a longer walk, completing a full circuit of the Common without meeting anyone else: remarkable for the Saturday of Easter Weekend.

Alf loves the Common. We haven't been there for a while, thanks to all the rain and cold weather. There were lots of zoomies, testing the water in the stream, inspecting the pond, and rolling in really interesting stuff.

Alf's recall remains very good. Despite his agenda, he heads back to me as soon as I call or whistle.

So, after a really bad start, the day turned out quite nicely. On the way back home, I popped into the local shop to pick up some afternoon treats and chicken for dinner. My back is still painful, which is really disappointing as it was beginning to feel almost normal again. 

What adventures we had, Ratty. Part 1

 

Today was meant to be another day of rest. Thanks to the heat, the panic attacks are back, mainly on wake-up. There were chores that needed doing; two loos emptying; bags taken to the rubbish bins; and more fruit.

To Southwold – I thought. Probably crowded – said Alf.

OK. A trip to Wangford tp stock up on fruit and healthy dog treats; then on to Southwold to see how  crowded it was and check the temperature and wind speed. 

Wangford farm shop is lovely. There is a good selection of local produce (if you can call plums, strawberries, and cherries from Kent local). I filled the cool bag with a good selection of fruit and treats. It already had 3 cool blocks, some cans of coke, a litre bottle of water and a bowl for Alf.

Alf was desperately in need of a good run off-lead. He’s started taking liberties in the exercise field and has gone AWAL twice; once to greet a dog who really is very nervous of him; the other time to follow scents into the neighbouring woodland. 

So, the Denes it was. The car park was almost full but a couple of spaces beside the railings overlooking the river would be fine. 

I set up the reclining chair, towel and bowl of water for Alf, and sat for a drink and a snack. 

That was when the first adventure of the week began. I noticed what looked like a flat-bottomed boat heading for the harbour mouth. There was a very stiff breeze, the tide was going out, and I remembered a friend of Eamonn telling us that it was one of the trickiest estuaries to enter on this part of the coast.

As I watched, it became evident that the boat was not going to make a clean entrance and it turned around for another approach. I watched the back of the boat sinking lower and lower. Thinking it was flat bottomed, I alerted a Sailor that was heading out. They would give assistance if it was needed.

Watch videos in full screen for full effect.

I switched my phone camera to video and started a series of short takes. On the boat’s entrance into the hardour mouth, you can clearly hear the panic in my voice, as it looked as though it would strike the harbour wall on the starboard side.

'scuse the bad language.

The helmsman did a stirling job, battling both wind and tide. It became evident, then, that the boat wasn’t flat-bottomed; it was a catamaran. I’m so glad Eamonn granted my request that if we got a boat, we’d not go out ot sea in it.

After those heart-stopping sights, we made our way onto the beach, where more adventures awaited us.

Lowestoft - Home of the English sunrise.

Lowestoft

 

It's not very pretty.

No dogs allowed on South Beach at any time.

Navigating around the town is very tricky. Is this on the A47 or still the A12?

Or somewhere else.

 

The lighthouse, built 1874, is the latest in a series of towers established in 1609 to safeguard vessels along this dangerous stretch of the East coast

Lowestoft remains a busy Port; carrying cargo to and from Europe, Scandinavia, and the Baltic States; and a hub for offshore renewable energy,  giving an industrial air to the coastline.

I wouldn't choose Lowestoft as a holiday destination, despite the regeneration taking place around the Victorian-style glass Pavillion

I was in Lowestoft yesterday, to find a friend's art studio. She gave me excellent directions. I promised Alf a beach walk for his patience during the journey there and the bits where I really wasn't sure if I was in the right place.

Having disappointed Alf with the lack of beach walk at Lowestoft, and no suitable snacks to be had, 

we made our way to Southwold, for a late afternoon tea, and a paddle.

Despite valiant attempts to evade to waves, Alf got very wet and spent the drive home wrapped in my fleece.

Lowestoft may be the first place to see sunrise in England, but I wouldn't swap the Southwold sunrise over the Denes for anywhere else. Or the Sunset over Cakes and Ale Holiday Park, for that matter.

A Day at Dunwich

 We needed to be beside the sea.

It was hot,

Hot Dog

We needed rest,

Second wind 

It was windy

very

very

windy

Shady, sheltered spot.

More rest

Did I mention it was windy

Not Bedouin tents, but fisherfolk with wind shelters

Dog tired after a lot of sea air

Back in the Slow Lane

From my base at Cakes and Ale, there is easy access to many interesting and lovely places in Suffolk. Having discovered Sizewell Beach, with its flat pathway alongside the shingle beach,  a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to explore the sandy edge that appears at low tide.

It was well worth the careful descent and hard climb back up the shingle. 

After the first part of our walk, Alf and I shared a bacon bap in the shade of an umbrella beside Sizewell Tea. 

We were both glad of a rest in the shade and drinks ( water for Alf, tea for me), as the weather was much hotter than forecast.

After lunch, we  began part two of the walk, along the path by the shingle, through the cabbage patches,

and past the fishing boats hauled above the high-tide mark.

We took note of the warning about adders,

restrictions on the fish catches off this part of the coast,

 

and another WWII Memorial to the Dutch men who had rowed across the North Sea, to join the Allies Forces.

I found the wild poppies, growing nearby, in the sand, to be particularly poignant.

The Memorial was erected in 2009, by the Society of Engelandvaarders, in memory of the 32 rowers who made the journey.

I like to learn when I visit new places. 14 years cruising in France encouraged the taste for exploration and education. I certainly learned more about WWII, today.

On the way home, I stopped at the Vulcan Arms, to ask if I needed to book a table for lunch tomorrow. I never did find out, as it opens only Thursday - Sunday. I was motivated to learn about the pub sign.  Which Vulcan was it named after? Depends on when you're asking.

I feel more like me than I have done for the past ten years (Eamonn was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2012).  Having my own base and some sessions with a clinical psychologist, I'm ready to make my own decisions again, and continue the journey in The Slow Lane beside the sea.

New Adventures, making new memories.

 

Eamonn and I enjoyed a very full, and rich life together. One of our sayings was "What adventures we've had". I've been missing this a lot.

I've decided that a touring caravan is an ideal replacement for the narrowboat. It can be moved if necessary, but can have a permanent base paid for annually. It's actually cheaper than owning a boat, as there are no waterways fees to consider.

I've bought a Swift Challenger 504, 2007.

It's a four berth with a fixed bed at the back, with ensuite shower room and toilet.

Yesterday, I went down to the Cakes and Ale Holiday Park, to talk about the facilities, chose a seasonal pitch, and pay a deposit. 

I was offered a discount of £2000 for an annual pitch as the season started on April 1, and I won't be there until the end of May. 

On arrival, there was an immediate sense of space and a well-kept site.

The Receptionist was expecting me and apologised that she couldn't give me the tour as there were many arrivals that day for the Easter Break. She gave me a site map and marked the available seasonal plots.

The Reception is a welcoming cabin with a small shop, with available refreshments and an outside seating area,

Outside Reception was a scaled model of a WWII Mustang; evidence that the Holiday Park is on part of an American Airbase. The Memorial is to the 363rd Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, which lost 82 men during the war.

There is further evidence of the Fighter Group on the Park. The Holiday Park Bar is dedicated to the 'Yoxford Boys'. 

Beside the Reception area, there is another memorial statue - The Airman.

More information and exhibits can be found at the Long Shop, Leiston.

This respect for the history of the area and the environment, is one of the things that drew me to the Cakes and Ales Holiday Park site;

another is the fact that every pitch is fully serviced and beautifully landscaped. The Airbase had all services, including power, water, drains, and proper roads.

The Receptionist recommended Plot 9, to me. It's on the edge of the 'Adults only' area, and benefits from a side and rear hedge.

It's a very long pitch that allows me to park the Romahome in front of the caravan, creating even more privacy.

There's a grassy pitch beside it, for an awning (I'm considering a bespoke porch awning that's 2.4 metres wide.)

All the facilities are at one end. There's a tap that can be permanently connected to the water supply that lives outside the van, a drain for  the two grey water outlets (galley and shower), and 240v power (just 10amp so need to be careful with appliances such as kettle.) Power is on a meter that is read every season.

The run of pipes and cables will be on the hedge side of the caravan, so can be kept tidy and out of sight.

The seasonal pitches are closed from 30th October to April 1st, so I will be able to use the caravan for many memorable dates (apart from my anniversary). The owner of the site said I could visit the caravan on March 1st but would not be allowed to sleep there. I presume that is because the services will be switches off for the winter. 

The Park is very peaceful and, among the rules and regulations, is a no noise between 9pm and 8am. 

Although the Park is alongside a road, there is very little traffic, just vehicles visiting the Park. The road is almost a single track, with passing places for wider vehicles.

There is a dedicated dog walk on adjoining footpaths, a shower block with washer/dryers and Elsan disposal point.

I was very impressed with the conditions of the facilities. There were workers mowing the grass and keeping the place tidy and well-maintained.

The Park is also very pretty at this time of the year. I am looking forward to watching the seasons change from my own little Haven, in the coming years.

Barring any problems, I am having the caravan delivered to Plot 9 on 26th May. If I decided that I want move to a different site in the future, I can arrange that with little difficulty.

With this view from Plot 9, I can't see myself doing that any time soon.

The nearest beach is Sizewell, just 5 mins drive.

After lunch, yesterday, I visited Dunwich. 

Southwold is within 25 mins drive and would be my beach of choice for a day out.