A day at the seaside

We've just returned from a few days away in Suffolk, a part of England which neither of us had explored before.  I had a commitment in Ipswich on Tuesday (more later) and it was a great chance to book ourselves into an interesting hotel and enjoy a few days fun.  

Here in the Cotswolds, we don't see much of the sea, so watching folks messing about in boats was interesting and the fresh air invigorating.

The English seaside on a Bank Holiday Monday was the perfect place to be, and where better than Southwold?  Though we had heard of this little gem of a place, we were captivated by its charms from the minute we arrived.

We loved Tim Hunkin's crazy machines on the Pier

and spent ages reading the little brass plaques along the handrail, each one telling a little story in a few heartfelt words.

Moving on to Aldeburgh in the afternoon, we braved a chill wind to walk along to the Benjamin Britten memorial

Created by Maggie Hambling in 2003, it's created quite some controversy but putting the environmental issues aside, we thought it an imaginative and fitting tribute to someone who features so prominently in this part of the world.

Feeling cold and more than a little windswept, we returned to Orford and took a look inside St Bartholemews church where we found a great set of kneelers.  Of course, I had to go and find this one (one of several with a WI theme, actually)

We got back to the hotel to find our best Aussie mate John had arrived - what fun!