Southwold

Last week we enjoyed a lovely few days with Emma, Steve, Jackson and Isabel.   We were lucky to be able to use a very comfortable holiday house in Melton which is on the edge of Woodbridge.  The towns are on the edge of the River Deben in Suffolk.  Gainsborough, the portrait painter, and John Constable, the landscape painter, lived and painted in Suffolk.  A very picturesque area and lots of history.

The weather was very kind to us! Although there was a chilly wind, the sky was blue and there was plenty of sunshine.   Glorious spring weather.

Our first trip out was to the seaside town of Southwold, a pleasant place with plenty of grassed areas alongside the beach, cafes and little shops on the pier.   Other than a very small amusement arcade on the land side of the pier, the most noticeable absence was the tattiness of many English seaside towns,  namely large amusement galleries, fairground rides and terrible fish and chip shops adorning the street which runs alonside the sea front.

The pier, with space to walk amongst the little shops, and plenty of seats (with shelters) to sit on, and soak up the sunshine, when there is sunshine, of course. So pleasant and relaxing.

Jackson and Isabel loved chasing the waves, or more correctly, seeing how long they could stand still before the wave got them.  And by the look of their trousers and shoes the waves did get them on many occasions.

The water was very brown, which was understandable considering the muddy bottomed rivers that flowed into the sea close by the town.   At this point I did have very nostalgic thoughts for the white sand and clear water of Aldinga Beach, South Australia.

The beautiful old buildings and grass that borders the beach.

We ate our sandwiches in the sunshine sheltered by the Lifeguards' building.

The colourful beach huts lined up along the shore front.  So full of character.

A lighthouse amongst the houses.   No doubt it was there first.   Southwold is home to Adnams Brewery, an old brewery founded in 1872. and still operating.  

The lineup of the Palmer family.

The beautiful old Southwold Church, very bright and airy inside, and with a beautiful wooden screen behind the altar.

And a short play in the playground, enjoyed by all the Palmer family.

A lovely day.