Thursday 14th July (Day 1)
The best laid plans............
I had been desperate to get away for quite a while in the motorhome and had been looking at websites / maps etc to come up with a 'Baldrick Cunning Plan'. Eventually all was sorted, with today as the departure day. So by just after 10.00am we were off to get Billina. As we approached the first set of traffic lights the 'Boss' said "You do have the motorhome keys don't you?" Well a bit red faced I had to admit the answer was 'No'. I parked up and the 'Boss' scampered across the main road to our stationary home and soon returned with the keys for the mobile one. Lucky we hadn't driven the 24 miles to the storage site first!
A quick fill up with water and then we were off. Our first stop was a 'wild camp' near Bawdsey. As we pulled in I could tell by the 'vibes' that this was not going to be our resting place. Off again, only 2 miles, to Bawdsey Quay (Plan B). This was acceptable. We parked up and had lunch and watched the boats going to and fro. If you wanted to take the little passenger ferry across the river mouth then you had to wave a big white paddle to hail it - £3 return And a 4 mile stroll into Felixstowe. After lunch we opted for a stroll along the Suffolk Coastal Path. Be Warned; this part is all stones and shingle and very hard walking, whereas our first stop was right on this path and a proper one it was too. After half an hour we turned back, having made about a mile at most, I would think. We were quite tired By the time we got back. We intended to sit on the beach and read but the clouds came over dark and the wind got up. "Let's go to Dunwich" was the solution (Plan C). We can walk that part of the coastal path and have a pint in the Ship etc, what a good idea. Off we went. A lovely big car park at Dunwich with a 'No Overnight Camping' sign which, it would appear, is enforced. Hmmm we need another plan. We decide on a CC&C CS (if you get my meaning), 6 miles away. The last two miles of this journey was so narrow that both sides of the van was brushed by the vegetation. On the final approach we were a bit lost and confused until a local in a car offered to lead us there. They drove into a pub and then directed us to the Certified Site about 400m away. It was a farm with a not overly enticing entrance, although I am sure it would be fine. However, right next to the the pub I saw a Certified Location sign! Back we go. The confusion of the car passenger's face was a picture; "They are back!" was the cry. We explained why we had returned but there was no room at the inn - literally - the CL was attached to the pub. We then decided to hide ourselves away behind said pub, The Eels Foot Inn, where we would have a drink or three and then it would just be plain irresponsible to drive. (Plan E or is it F?).
Well the pub opened at 6.00pm and by soon after that we had our first pint (Adnams!). The menu looked good, so instead of cooking we ate there. Fish and chips (Adnams Batter - seems to be a theme starting here.) For a Thursday the place was getting very busy and, around 8.00pm, people came in with musical instruments. (It was 'Squit Night!) About twenty people came in with the following instruments: Ukelele; Treble recorder; Penny whistles; Squeeze Box; Accordion; Guitars (many); Electric guitar'; Mouth organ; Spoons and two Bhodrans ('Celtic' Drums). We then were entertained for three hours with such diverse music as Peggy Sue and Hotel California; right through to shanties and folk songs. We left hoarse from singing and it was a really brilliant evening - all the more as it was so unexpected. That left us then with a short walk back to Billina for a night cap before bed. Isn't it funny how things turn out? Without the first stop not being well received, the dark clouds at the second stop and the 'no overnight camping' at the third spot we would have missed all this. The joys of Motorhoming.
Friday 15th July (Day 2)
A great nights sleep was had - we always seem to sleep better in the MH than at home although the drink may have helped. A lovely sunny day in the offing. During breakfast we discussed our finishing point for the evening. We had heard good reviews on a pub on the Norfolk Broads which was about 50 miles away. We decided not just to make our way there but go directly to it, which we duly did. The first part of the journey was narrow lanes again, which at one point saw us reversing into a field to allow the beer lorry pass. Soon though we were bowling along the A12 and by just after midday we parked up by the moorings at The Pleasure Boat Inn, Hickling. A nice big car park with 24 hour toilets which were really clean. We sat out in the sunshine chatting to two MH neighbours until it was time for some lunch. Then we went for a walk along some footpaths to a local Wildlife Trust site. Here we strolled around looking for, well wildlife. Apart for a few geese and swans we saw nothing, although in the distance there were some carrion birds, I think. We couldn't tell as I cannot use binoculars, and Chris could not use them as we had left them in the MH! A couple of hours walking in all saw us back at the MH where we sat outside catching the very last of the sun's rays until around 5.30pm, when it had cooled down, and we retreated inside.
Before cooking dinner we opted to sample a beer in the pub. What a find! This weekend there are celebrating WW1 and as part of the celebration are having a beer festival. All the beers are from Brewers that were or are derived from those present in WW1. TWENTY different beers and then ciders,of which some are ten percent proof. So we tried a couple and returned to the MH for dinner. We saw the meals served up and while they looked OK they didn't overly appeal and a woman sitting near to us had cold peas. How can that happen? Anyway a nice (hot) meal and then settled down for the evening. The decision has already been made that we will stay another night.
Saturday 16th July (Day 3)
A really bright sunny start to the day. After a serious 'big boys' breakfast we sorted and tidied before going off on a walk. It was about 6 - 7 miles of country lanes and 'designated for paths which was a circular route. It took in Stubb windmill (not a great site). The idea was to finish in the village of Hicklingto but some bread for breakfast tomorrow. Unfortunately, two pubs, a school and a church and naff all else. The walk was about two hours so lunch followed. The designated path was very overgrown and having returned my calves were very red, itchy, and blotchy. Fortunately we had a potion that sorted it out really speedily. We spent most of the afternoon reading, with the odd visit for another sample of the 20 beers. While doing this the heavens opened and in my haste to run back to the motorhome to bring the roof lights town I dropped the keys in the car park on the return - found by a local before I even knew that it had happened It was a very hot sultry day overall and most pleasant for that. By 7.30pm the three motorhome were still present - but we then had an overspill of five more! Still loads of room though. At 8.00pm we went over to the pub as there was a 'band' and entertainment. Barn dancing was the order of the day! A very pleasant evening spent and, by the end of the night, we had tasted twelve of the twenty beers. It is a shame but the rest of the beers, and ciders, had to be foregone. Such are the trials that one has to put up with.
Sunday 17th July (Day 4)
A real favourite for breakfast - fried potatoes, with bacon and a fried egg: A good start. By 10.00am we had said our goodbyes and we were off home, via Billina's home. All-in-all a good run with a stop at Tescos to get food for today and by 2.00pm we were back and getting sorted. A great few days with the 'Squit' Night being a highlight and then WW1 celebrations being an unexpected bonus.