Geoff Brock & Bruce Gamble
         
     

July 2023: Southwold

 
   

This year we returned to the same place that we stayed at last year. Beforehand, we decided that we wouldn't take as many photos this year as we did last year. We failed!
 
Monday 3rd July 2023
 
Our train journey did not go to plan. A failed train at Manningtree meant that we arrived at Halesworth two hours late and our driver, Liz, who was due to pick us up and take us to Southwold wasn't able to meet us then. Luckily, Sue, a fellow passenger who was travelling to the same station, offered to give us a lift and arranged for her husband to "bring the jeep" when he came to the station to meet us in order to accommodate all of our luggage! We were very grateful.
 

Craighurst - our home for the next eleven days. The entrance hall is through the blue/grey door and we occupied the two floors above it.
 
 
 
 
An excellent meal at The Crown was just what we needed after the excitement of the journey.
 
 
 
 
 
Tuesday 4th July 2023
 
Our first visit to The Sole Bay Inn.
 
Geoff decided that plants would be the photographic theme this year.
 
Wednesday 5th July 2023
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Well, it had to be done. The first of many ice creams!
 
 
 
 
 
Thursday 6th July 2023
 
Suzie's beach cafe was fully open again. We were delighted!
 
 
 
 
 
 
A visit to The Bell in Walberswick is always necessary.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Friday 7th July 2023
 
 
Bruce's birthday cards and treats.
 
 
 
 
A lovely birthday meal at Sutherland House.
 
Saturday 8th July 2023
 
Today's theme was hollyhocks.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Saturday evening at 6pm - the queue for fish and chips!
 
It was well worth the wait.
 
Sunday 9th July 2023
 
 
Monday 10th July 2023
 
 
 
 
Tuesday 11th July 2023
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home made crab and crayfish pasta. Delicious!
 
 
Wednesday 12th July 2023
 
The tide was in our favour, so we decided to walk along the rarely visited north coast towards Kessingland.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After walking along the deserted beach for 3 miles, we arrived at Covehithe. We had to make a decision whether to walk another 3 miles to Kessingland, where there was no guarantee of a bus or a taxi to take us back, or to walk back to Southwold from here. We decided to go back, but promised ourselves that next time we would research the public transport options properly.
 
 
We really enjoyed the long walk.
 
 
 
The beach is only accessible at low tide, but it isn't clear from these warnings.
 
Back at the Sole Bay Inn for some refreshments.
 
Geoff visited the church in the afternoon... Bruce napped!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thursday 13th July 2023
 
 
An Osprey, apparently. Bruce had to "phone a friend" (David) to confirm this.
 
 
 
 
 
Back to The Crown for our last night. The dessert was chocolate brownies with cherries and mint ice cream.
 
 
 
 
Friday 14th July 2023
 
Sadly, time to leave. Fortunately our return journey was problem free.
 
 
 
©Geoff Brock and Bruce Gamble