Weekend

Friday pm

Peter and I headed into Cambridge for dinner and to see Beth Hart in concert at the Corn Exchange - so good, though we were shocked at the lack of masks, especially as an email from the Corn Exchange had said that masks were a requirement of entry - no one was enforcing it.  We did wear our masks throughout the concert but we were certainly in the minority.  The same has to be said about the crowds in Southwold to be honest especially in pinch point areas like the pier and amusement arcades. Again we felt the need to wear ours when necessary.  With numbers so high in the UK it surely isn’t worth the risk of being ill. 

Rebecca stayed overnight so she could visit her grandma on Saturday morning, who she hasn’t seen for two years. She went out for dinner with her sister and had a lay in without the boys disturbing her. After her visit to see Grandma, she headed back to Stamford to meet Tim and the boys and a meet-up with friends over the weekend. They will all be back with us on Monday!!  I’m exhausted just reading their schedule. I think after this visit back to the UK they will be worn out, they have been so busy.  They still have a visit to the Harry Potter Studios on Monday afternoon, dinner with friends in Cambridge Monday evening.  Back to see Grandma with Tim and the boys on Tuesday and then spending time with Rachel and co before finally heading back to France on Wednesday!

We spent Saturday afternoon enjoying the sunshine and the lovely cloud formations whilst walking 

How lovely is this Ash tree, it’s one of a number planted on the small green space near to our house. 

Sunday

An extra hour in bed.  Poured with rain until midday.  I sat and sorted knitting patterns, did the Waitrose crossword. 

Then after lunch - homemade carrot and celeriac soup - we went out walking again.  The leaves are really starting to change now and a fair few have fallen too.  That’s one job we don’t miss from our old home. Our walk was mostly dry, just a quick shower whilst crossing the meadow otherwise the dark clouds stayed behind us

It’s starting to get dusk now, 4:45pm, I’m really not ready for the darker evenings. Time to light some candles and add a bit of cheer. Dinner tonight is pork chops with apples and potatoes cooked in cider, and there is enough cider left to enjoy a small glass each with it, chin chin

Never long enough

Our few days in Southwold came to an end yesterday. We were fortunate that the weather held until yesterday mid morning, it easier to leave when it’s raining.

We had a fun time, ate far too much, but I guess that’s what you do when away from home. We forget how often children need to feed, their parents too!

Here are some more photos from our visit

The return

It’s Autumn. It’s half term. Family time. Southwold.

Cousins. 2nd cousins. Daughters. Brother. Sister in law. Son in law. Grandkids. Husband. Family. 

Sunrises. Sunsets. 

More today

Our autumn garden

I make no apologies for the photo dump!! I’m happy to still see pockets of colour in the garden.  Some of which have been flowering for months.  I need to start having a tidy but will leave it just a little bit longer before making gaps

Laundry and housework completed. 

The kitchen has been smelling of chicken stock this morning. Once cooled this will go in the freezer for soup.  Can’t beat homemade stock.

The Christmas puddings look amazing and smell so too. They are now rewrapped and stored away until required. Making these is a long process but you really can’t compare a shop bought with homemade. I find shop bought tend to be overly sweet, sticky and just don’t have that depth of flavour.  So whilst I can I will continue to make my own.

We had a walk to the allotment to check on the cabbage plants and give them some water, typically we’ve had no rain since planting.  Then onto the market to see if they had any plants I fancied but no.  Back across the meadow in time for lunch, collecting up fallen walnuts on the way, walkers perks.

I plan on spending some time knitting before catching the next episode of Chateau DIY our family are on today, tomorrow and Wednesday- channel 4 at 4pm