Some folk in Suffolk

Hello there!

So, in my last blog post I mentioned I had been on holiday. Mister 'Whatlisawrote' and I accompanied his family on a week long trip to Suffolk. I really needed a break after being ill and really busy with work so I was looking forward to some R&R!!

We started off in Snape Maltings, near Aldeburgh....

At full industrial use Snape Maltings was one of the largest flat floor maltings in the country. In 1965, after 120 years, the malting of barley ceased and George Gooderham bought the Maltings and began the gradual conversion of the Victorian buildings.

The first major development was the Concert Hall, part built by Benjamin Britten. This move towards visitors to the Maltings inspired a retail concept. The Craft Shop opened in 1971 bringing together a variety of locally made art and crafts. Over 40 years Snape Maltings has developed a range of offerings, and revitalised the old granaries.

 

I found a bizarre tin with poodles on in an antiques shop there.

 

I love the one on the right's deranged face.

 

We then headed to Aldeburgh for a lovely stroll in the sun on the pebbled beach.

 

 

We had plenty of photo opps at the Scallop, a sculpture by Maggie Hambling.

 

 

And stopped off for some delicious fish and chips.

 

 

This amused me when read out of context.

 

 

This place made me laugh too.

 

 

Later on that afternoon we arrived at the house we would be staying at for the week. It was fantastic, we ran around exploring all the rooms like kids in a toy store.

 

 There was even a hot tub!

 

We picked our room and settled in quickly.

 

 

A good first day?

 

 

Someone thinks so!

 

The rest of our time there was spent relaxing, and keeping ourselves entertained with the many activities on offer at the house.

We mostly had plenty of sun, even though it was frrrrrrreezing. I still braved the chill for breakfast on the terrace though....

 

 

There was table tennis....

 

 

Croquet....

 

 

A pool table....

 

 

And our very own bar!

 

We had a few drinks and played pool a LOT.

 

We didn't just play games at the fabulous house all week though, we made plenty of day trips out and about.

 

As usual these trips involved finding some good places to eat/drink!

 

On our last day the weather was utterly miserable, so we drove to Norwich to do some shopping before heading home.

 

 

This also included a visit to the Colman's Mustard museum and shop.

 

 

Pretty macarons!

 

I had such a wonderful time, was very sad to come home and back to reality.

 

If anyone wants to know where I stayed, details here. The place even has its own indoor swimming pool, bliss!

 

Lx

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The Bear, and Bertie, and Me

Hi everyone,

I am very sorry for not posting in an absolute age!! Last week I was on holiday (more on that in a separate post) and the week before I was terribly poorly with flu and therefore incapable of doing anything other than going straight to bed when I got home from work.

For any of you who don't know - I turned 30 on the 25th February. I wanted to do something special to mark the occasion so arranged a decadent birthday lunch with some of my closest friends at a local establishment called The Crazy Bear. There are only 3 locations for this very individual and discerning chain, one in Oxfordshire, one in Covent Garden and one in Beaconsfield, which is a town just down the road from me.

Designed to harken back to the days of the speakeasies and opulent cabaret clubs, The Crazy Bear is the most exciting and unusual place I know that doesn't involve a trip to a larger town or London.

We started with cocktails in the bar......

Then we moved into the restaurant where we were seated in a private booth!

I started off with smoked salmon - it was delicious.

Everyone happily tucking into their starters.

Myself and Clare.

For the main course I chose the shoulder of roast lamb with all the trimmings.

Clare inspired serious food envy with her posh pasty and triple cooked chips!!

I think I'm rather tipsy here!!

Pudding was iced banana parfait - absolutely delicious.

Mr 'Whatlisawrote' plumped for a sticky ginger pudding which looked rather good.

I had a fabulous time, it was the perfect way to celebrate a landmark birthday.

More info on The Crazy Bear group here. Should you be near one of their locations you really should go, even if just for a drink. It'll be such a fun experience!!

Also, my parents have adopted a black lab puppy called Bertie. He is without a doubt the cutest bundle of fur in the world. But then, I am a little biased.

He is now 10 weeks old and turning into rather a handful (as puppies do!) but I'm sure my Mother will get to grips with him soon enough.

On my actual birthday I was working, so it was a lovely surprise to arrive at the office and be greeted by a decorated desk and presents!!

And cake!!

I was feeling tired all day which I now know was the beginning of my flu, so in the evening Mr 'Whatlisawrote' cooked me a superb dinner of duck breast with red wine and cherry sauce, mash and veggies.

Followed by some leftover chocolate peanut butter cheesecake I had made a couple of days beforehand when my family came over to the flat for dinner. I ate this reclined on the sofa under a blanket.

Tough life!!

Holiday post to come soon!

Bye for now,

Lx

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