Maggi had arranged to spend a weekend in Suffolk at a ‘posh’ BnB just near Aldeburgh at a hamlet called Aldringham. I was determined not to become entangled with the Friday evening M25 traffic. We set off just before 12 on the 2 ¾ hour journey and because of our forethought managed to arrive at Five Acre Barn BnB first.
Bruce and David run the place which looks like a dump from the outside but the inside is well done. Bruce welcomed us with a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate fudge cake. He chatted about his mother in Texas and other trivia and made us feel at home.
The others arrived in dribs and drabs, Fiona and Mark, Debbie and Neal, Matt and finally Clare and Martyn. We celebrate Matt’s 70th on Sunday. I don’t think Helen has done much if anything to mark the occasion. When we last saw them she seemed highly mystified when we asked about noting Matt’s birthday. The response went something like why would I do anything like organise something for Matt.
Anyway Matt had to go and pick Helen up from the nearby station as she had travelled from Manchester by train.
Friday Evening Meal
Shortly after Matt’s return with Helen we walked along the main road to The Parrot in Aldringham for our evening meal. All the men sat at one end of the table. The menu highlighted the bangers and mash and 4 people selected this option including Maggi. I didn’t fancy this option as I knew I would have sausages in the morning. Instead I opted for the Lentil pie. I ate it all so it couldn’t have been that bad. Some of the company also chose a pudding. I tasted Matt’s desert which was like cardboard.
We walked back in the dark with myself in the lead shining the torch from my phone on the ground to ensure safe passage. Debbie followed me and this was the first time move actually talked to her.
Saturday day of the walk
The headlines read, Storm Darragh Batters the UK. The forecast for Aldeburgh, our destination, reflected this doom laden warning. As a result we all set out after a very large full English breakfast on the walk that Matt had organised. Fortunately the rain didn’t completely destroy the enjoyment of out journey. Yes it rained but not all the time of the time and mostly as heavy drizzle.
It took our party of 10 about 90 minutes to walk from the BnB to Aldeburgh, firstly to Thorpeness and then beside the North Sea with the wind blowing directly in our faces. When we arrived at Aldeburgh we witnessed the local RNLI practicing and we saw the lifeboat arrive back from a pretend mission and be captured by the landing tractor which piked up the boat in a net like contraption.
Aldeburgh has a reputation as a place for second homes. They have lots of shops for tourists, beach huts selling fresh fish and the standard fish and chip shop. We tried to find a cafe that would seat 10 without much luck until directed to a pub at the end of the shopping parade called The White Hart Inn. The staff welcomed us and half of the party drank water, while the other half choose beer. I shared a lime and soda with Maggi. A roaring fire enabled some of the group to dry off a little.
I slipped off back up the High Street to see if I could buy a book at Reed’s Bookshop. I found the place an untidy mess and soon left unable to see anything of interest. I returned to the White Hart as everyone finished their drinks and we set off again, this time back to the Five Acre Barn. The beginning of the walk was all along the main road out of Aldeburgh and so not very interesting unless you like the look of fairly expensive second homes.
Eventually we left the highway and set off across country via a golf course, a large field and woodland until we arrived back at the BnB at around 2 pm.
Saturday Evening and celebration for Matt.
I messed around in the afternoon safe from the rotten weather outside. Maggi and I both enjoyed a bath and a chat to Alex as she was driven to Seattle airport to catch a flight to DC. She has been told that she has the job as Head of Comms at the Gates Foundation which is a bit of coup. I had a short siesta.
We gathered in the communal living space for a few drinks before the meal created by the chef that Fiona had arranged. We handed Matt his presents. I think he would have like our present to him a ticket for Dr Feelgood and a group of other blues artists at the O2. I am not going to comment on the other things he received because I am not sure exactly what they were.
Our Chef, Sophie produced a very good meal, not cheap, which consisted of a number of dishes, including a lamb tangine, cauliflower salad, potatoes, another salad and flat breads. We definitely had more than enough. The meal finished with a apple, pear and cranberry crumble which I loved. It had the usual comfort feel of a crumble but with a little bit more flavour.
We ended the evening with me playing beat the intro using my liked playlist from Spotify.
Sunday and back home
Another large breakfast, this time I had scrambled egg on toast with mushrooms and beans preceded by yoghurt and berries. I felt stuffed again. Helen had bought a lemon drizzle cake with a few candles on the top. We all sang happy birthday again.
All hugs and kisses wishing everyone a good Xmas and we departed.
On the way back Maggi and I tried to buy a Christmas tree but without success. I watched Arsenal draw with Fulham and Maggi went out to do some shopping. She came back with a Christmas tree.
