Woodbridge proved to be a very pleasant town with lots of independent shops and museums.
Hands in the churchyard
I don’t think my Mother had a hat quite like this one, however a great Museum with informative displays.
The amazing Tide Mill
This is the tidal reservoir that enables the mill to turn
The model shows how the tide controls the working of the mill
Waltham Abbey: We stayed here to meet up with friend Gary who we met some 3 years ago when travelling up the River Lee through Waltham.
The Abbey
River Lee
The Greenwich meridian
Gary and his new electric cabDisabled ramp This cab has everything! Very impressive
The campsite was alongside Tottenham Hotspur training ground and Capel Manor College Anyone who listens to Gardeners Question Time will know of it. We just had to visit, It has everything and in spite of the rain we really enjoyed it
The Fairy Forest – I just couldn’t resist! I had this book as a small girl. The apple blossom fairy was my favourite.Hedges and maze
The Which? trial gardens The plants are inspected and assessed every two weeks:
I wouldn’t recommend these broad bean
There is small Zoo section with wild cats wallabies rabbits and so on
Whilst away we had a literary Zoom meeting and two from Devizes museum. There was a fine lecture on Eric Ravilious. These images were taken by Tony from the TV screen
Furlongs 1934
Cement pit 1934
Wiltshire locals will recognise this
The railway carriage
I do urge you to visit the Museum for this exhibition. The second Zoom was to Explain more about the proposed new museum A considerable sum but worth every penny. I forsee a lot of fundraising!
Now a few odds & ends First a personalised tv advert: I won’t be shopping with this firm:
The Royal Gunpowder Mill at Waltham Abbey. We had wanted to visit here since our trip up the River Lee So interesting but vast area, difficult to photograph. Had wonderful tractor trailer trip with commentary from a former employee and took about 1.5 hours! Such a shame not more visitors, volunteers poised, free hot drinks and lots to see!
canals transported the gunpowderMany old abandoned buildingsA little museum of guns in care of very articulate and enthusiastic young volunteer.
Then seen in Bath:
Comprehensive sorting, a good example for Canal and River Trust!
June began on a high note with warn sunshine and a cheese and wine evening aboard Lightship Sula and a very interesting and informative tour of the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum with Rob Dixon, not to mention a Civic Trust visit to Highnam Court with its fantastic gardens, more of Highnam later.
What is it? Normally called the Snail
The cake shop on Westgate Street
Paddleboard expert Mike painting Lightship Sula
Public spirited paddleboarders doing their litter pick
Armed Forces Day at the Soldiers of Gloucester Museum All the dignitaries on parade
A few older soldiers!Korean veteran Tommy Clough is the popular last survivor of the Battle of Imjin, 70 years ago.
Helping out we did 16,787 steps that day, beating our target of 12,000
Reflections in Victoria Basin
A week on the Gloucester and Sharpness canal:
The bridge keepers hut at Patch Bridge Slimbridge
Celebrated wildlife photographer at work. Swallows and sparrows. Enlarging holes in nest boxes evidently worked and now multi occupancy.
Staff at Slimbridge do have a sense of humour!Is it a reed warbler?
A perfect dandelion clock on Sharpness towpath
Sunset just north of Splatt bridgeRemember the roundabout with the canal flowing under? Now looking really good with grass growing and trees in leaf
Brother in law takes the wheel on a cruise to Saul Junction.
Saul Junction Tidy shed thanks to volunteer MalcolmReed cutting at Saul Junction, not that we were aware of a problem, its so deep!
And so off to Woodbridge Suffolk where we spent a day with Tony’s cousins and caught up with family news and history.
Tony’s Mother relaxing with her parents and grandmother
Sutton Hoo
the campsite was within walking distance of the site
Have you seen the film “The Dig” that tells this story?
The ship was moved from the river to its resting place at the top of the hill
A field with a few humps and bumps, we weren’t allowed in (Covid?)!
In the museum
It was all a bit underwhelming until we met this anglo saxon
Zita & Ruth with anglo saxon warrior, who was very informative.
Sunset at the campsite
Orford Ness
Orford castle, English Heritage, very welcoming and excellent guided tour.
Brilliant model that could be taken swivelled to reveal the detail within.Amazing views from the top, including this, looking out towards the sea, large area of low lying ground!Ancient graffitti
Interesting more recent history in the area.
Aldeburgh proved disappointing. Not the upmarket town I had envisaged. Steeply shelving pebble beach. Its redeeming quality was its messages about litter, that we should see elsewhere:
Martello Tower is now a holiday let!
Framlington Castle did not disappoint
Castle gatewayEnjoyed the walkway and medieval chimneys
Ickworth house part hotel part National Trust. Much more interesting below stairs where the services were all labelled
Helmingham Gardens were just stunning! The house is privately owned and house not open but looks magnificent:
Veg patchFrog just one of so many topiary bushesThe apple walk featuring old varieties. This one appropriately is a Bramley Seedling!Yew hedges
Felixtowe dock area. People were sitting watching boats arriving and being unloaded and containers sorted by huge cranes. We didn’t arrive until after 6pm, but cafe still open and busy. Too late to explore the Landguard fort.
Site of special note, with board walks etc, great spot.
The stately home we enjoyed the most was Kentwell again privately owned and quirky so different to NT
Tree carving at its best
Tea with peacock trying to steal my cakeJust one of many amazing roomsThe Pied Piper topiaryA moat tooMeeting room?Facade
A morning visit to Ipswich, just waterside, didn’t do town, next time?:
The old portNow extensive marina. Lots of neighbouring waterways to explore.
Looking back through the diary It seems that most of the month was wet and cool! Our first cruise of the season had rain every day but nevertheless we enjoyed visiting Slimbridge and Sharpness.
Sharpness DocksSharpness Lock from the top gateSharpness picnic siteThe first time we have had a clear view of the Severn Bridges from SharpnessSharpness Pier collapsing?
Andy the bridge keeper put up these boxes and its the first time they have been used. This season sparrows and blue tits have made nests.
We took Henry to Newark for his annual habitation survey postponed from November 2020 and the weather did not improve. We stayed at Holme Pierrepoint the National Watersports Centre. A pleasant enough site with all basic amenities but a bit dated and not secure.
Race trackWatched this guy turning his canoe over
Family history took us to Bingham. We were looking for the home of Percy Bramley my Great Grandfather. The Library had most helpful staff and so was the Landlady of the White Lion who told me my cousin had a table booked for dinner! The pub landlord had been Percy’s son Arthur who was helped by his son Shandy AKA Arthur Percy born 1946.
The only sunny afternoon was spent at Redhill cemetery looking at headstones! We managed to catch up with some friends and family
Enjoying a G & T with cousin Ann at The Piewipe near LincolnAnn with her children Jane and Freddie
Family history turns up some unusual items of interest.! This is Ernest Jay Ann’s father. He was an entertainer, singer and compere and well as into body building
Kerry Zita & Jenny
In Leadenham and Fulbeck just over the Lincolnshire border we were disappointed to find little evidence of our forbears but took shelter in the Hare and Hounds for a very pleasant lunch. Some years ago on a visit to Lincolnshire Archives Tony & I found ourselves working on our respective ancestors in the same village so now I am keen to follow up on both our families. Did our maternal Judson and Snaith families know each other? All may be revealed at some future date!
Cleaning the headstone of Thomas Snaith
William Judson
Began volunteering at The Soldiers of Gloucester Museum. Being on the front desk to welcome and sell entry tickets I have had to learn how to operate the till. Fortunately it tells you how much change to give! (Maths was never my strongest subject). I am learning a bit of the Glosters military history too!
Interestingly we are now moored just where the lifeboat was about to be launched!
In and around Gloucester:
Stylish ship for the sea cadetsGladys in Neilsen’s yard, part one of her refurbishment. More photos of progress, next monthThe original Gloucester wall inside the furniture shop on Southgate Street. Seen during an excellent Civil War walking tour during which we learnt a lot more about the fascinating history of Gloucester. We have been told it has the second most extensive history, after London!Each day Colin flies at least one, usually different flag on LV Sula. This one was easy to identify!Our neighbouring boat Stargazer departs
Happily by the end of the month the temperature had risen and on 30th it 25.2 degrees
