Suffolk sojourn

this weekend found us in the depths of the Suffolk countryside, to Westleton to be precise. Our stay was at the Crown in Westleton a lovely country pub hotel with amazing food, needless to say we ate too much but then we did do alot of walking. Saturday dawned dull but dry in the main. Armed with brollies and a local map we headed out to Minsmere RSPB reserve, then walked on across Dunwich Heath and through the snowdrop woods to the Ship Inn for a pint and a packet of crisp.  Thus fortified we soldiered on to complete our trek in a round about way, final tally was 14 miles!.

the highlights of the day was to spot 3 muntjac deer (at close quarters), a pair of green woodpeckers and a herd of red or fallow deer - we weren't close enough to tell.  The day was rounded off with an excellent dinner and a good glass of port and a huge cheese board.
 
On Sunday the weather was beautiful so we headed over to my most favourite place - Southwold.  But oh the surprise that awaited us.  Wards the local department store which has been a stalwart of the High Street long before I was a little girl, has been replaced with a Fat Face, shock horror, I even had to phone my mum when I got home to tell her. Southwold High Street has now lost its appeal for us, full of designer clothes shops catering to the London crowd in their large 4x4's that now seem to over-populate this once quiet and lovely seaside town. I have been coming to Southwold since I was 9 and consider it mine, whilst change is good, only if it is for the better.  The only original shops that are left now are Hutson butchers, Dennys, Squiers Sweet Shop & Tearoom, the small hardware shop, fruit and veg shop and the two chemists - what must the locals think?