Remember, remember the 5th of November

Winter has arrived late, but with glorious sunshine and frosty mornings.

We started Saturday, the 4th, with a visit to Framlingham Castle. Although a “ruin” it still looks imposing on the outside. But apart from some more modern additions, is just a shell inside. English Heritage has developed an enjoyable high-level wall walk, which gives great views of the surrounding countryside.

After the castle we did a walk around the town of Framlingham, an attractive country town.

A drive to the coast brought us to the equally attractive town of Aldeburgh. From here we did a circular walk to another picturesque seaside town called Thorpeness. Its icon would have to be ‘The House In The Clouds' built originally as a water tower. The walk back to Aldeburgh was along the beach past a fascinating scuptlure based on the scallop.

We then had a look round Ipswich, which has some fine old buildings. One of these is Christchurch Mansion, which is a beautiful old Tudor mansion. The entire mansion is open, and furnished in period style, both upstairs and in the extensive servants quarters and utility rooms. They also have a collection of Constable and Gainsborough paintings as both of these artists lived and worked locally.

On Sunday we wended our way south from our overnight accommodation at Stowmarket, passing through Hadleigh and Nayland with their attractive buildings and enjoyed a walk at Tiptree on our way to Maldon, an attractive port on an estuary with numerous sailing barges tied up at the wharf.

Being the closest Sunday to All Saints, it was fitting that the Tiptree walk turned for home at the All Saints Church, a small church miles away from any houses and now surrounded on four sides by a golf course.