Week 34 - More Fun in Felixstowe.

Monday

After a very relaxing start to the day, we eventually clambered into the car and headed off to Walberswick. We arrived at 12:20, just as it started to rain! We had brought our raincoats so it wasn't too bad. We wandered about trying to find a bridge to get across the River Blyth to get to Southwold. We stomped about down to the beach (still in the rain) and then back again. Eventually, we decided we would have to pay the ferry man. It took him 30 seconds to take us across and it cost us £4. I have calculated his hourly rate to £480. I'm in the wrong business.

This guy is in the right business

Happily, as soon as we got onto the beach at Southwold, the rain stopped and then the sun came out. I stripped down to my vest, got my shades on and enjoyed the walk.

I would recommend a visit to Southwold. It is a million miles away from the tracksuits and vapes culture of Felixstowe. There is a lovely church, a tiny museum, a fantastic pier which is like one long alternative art gallery (you have to see it, I can't explain it), and the Adnams brewery, cafe and shop. Lucy was kind enough to buy a bottle of the local stout for me to try later.

After Southwold, it was a long walk back through the glorious countryside to Walberswick, this time via a bridge, not the guy making millions on his boat. We stopped off at two pubs. At the first one, I had a half of the local stout mentioned earlier. It was a good stout, rather bitter which suits me. By this point, the weather was very warm and I was glad that they kept the beer cold!

In the second pub, I tried a half of the Adnams Mosaic. It was a decent session ale, but give me HPA any day!

At the end of the walk, my phone said we had covered 7 miles. My shins were aching - this must be why God invented bicycles. We drove back to Felixstowe and had a lovely dinner and I had two more beers!

No exercise, no junkfood, booze.

Tuesday

In the morning, Lucy went to Lidl and then for a sit on the beach. I took the opportunity to do some kata in the back yard. I went through the five black belt kata. Then I did Empi and Jion again. Then I did Tekki Shodan. Next, I spent 15 minutes relearning Kanku Sho with the help of Sensei Youtube. I took it easy and only got a little bit sweaty. 

In the afternoon, we took a two hour boat trip to see some seals at Hamford Water National Nature Reserve. I quickly realised that I had never been out to sea in a boat this small.

The Haven Cruiser and her crew

We were rocking and rolling all over the shop as we sped out of the harbour and I was struggling to find my sea legs! It took a little while, but eventually I started to enjoy myself. When we started to come back in toward the shore, the sea calmed and we slowed down. Then we started to spot the seals!

Seals! Not the best photograph I've taken, but you get the idea.

We found our sea legs!

On our way back to dry land, looking across to Felixstowe. The container vessel is one of three currently at Felixstowe, the UK's biggest container port.

It was an exciting 2 hours and one that we both enjoyed thoroughly. After a cup of tea, we went back to Felixstowe and stopped off for a walk around the town centre.

Back at base, it was time for GnT and beer! I manned the barbecue and cooked some burgers and some chicken breasts along with some new potatoes in the oven. We ate outside and then settled in front of the TV when it got dark.

No exercise, no junkfood, booze

Wednesday

Another slow start to the day. We eventually headed north to Aldeburgh (we don't know how to pronounce it either). It was a fantastic walk next to the pebbled beach up to Thorpeness 2 miles away. Prettiness everywhere!

You've seen one pebble, you've seen them all...

We came across a sculpture on the beach but could only photograph the back of it: A young lesbian couple had draped themselves on the front of it and showed no signs of moving on.

Lucy waiting for the young people to move.

Beach bums

When we reached Thorpeness, our map took us on a long walk through the nature reserve along an old train track route. We were completely alone for most of the walk - just us and a lot of flies. Poor Lucy was bitten by insects at least twice. However, it was still a beautiful, peaceful part of the world to visit.

17,600 steps according to my old iPhone.

Prettiness everywhere

Back at home, I fired up the barbecue, drank lots of beer and then scoffed lots of chicken and potatoes. We watched TV and I drank wine (probably too much wine...)

No exercise, no junkfood, booze

Thursday

Yep, too much wine. I woke up feeling rotten. After a slow start, we got up for brekkie and then jumped in the car to travel to Framlingham Castle. 

The castle was a large ruined outer wall with none of the original inner buildings surviving. There is now a "Red House" inside the walls, first constructed in 1664, then used as a workhouse, and now, of course, housing a shop. We had a lovely time up on the walls (The Wall Walk) and then investigating the lovely countryside around the castle. 

We went to some charity shops, went back to the castle for a wee, and then headed back to Felixstowe.

In he evening, Lucy sat outside and read her book. I watched highlights of today's Tour de France stage and then an awful western on iPlayer.

No exercise, junkfood, alcohol

Friday

A very gentle morning. I made bacon and eggs for the two of us. Lucy went to read on the beach. I listened to TMS. At about midday, we set off on our last walk of our holiday. We walked north along the coastal path until we reached the Ferry Boat Inn at the mouth of the River Deben. I had a very welcome pint of Guinness before we turned round and headed back along the same route. The total distance was 6.58 miles. Lucy had fish and chips for lunch and I enjoyed last night's leftover curry.

In the evening, Lucy went over the road to watch a musicals band. I watched the Tour de France highlights and had an early night.

No exercise, no junkfood, alcohol

Saturday

Our last day in Felxistowe. Up early for breakfast and to tidy the apartment. We said goodbye to the seaside and then headed for Ely to visit the cathedral. It's an impressive building and rather expensive to visit. 

Individually sponsored windows!

We drove home listening to the cricket on TMS. 

Back at home, my intention was to lift some weights, but after some late lunch and then unpacking, I found it was already time to start cooking dinner for the family! During unpacking, I dropped my litre can of Czech ale which punctured the top. I couldn't let it go to waste...

No exercise, no junkfood, beer

Sunday

Up early for cycling! I met James and Jonnie and then headed out into the lanes. Both Jonnie and James had opted for rain jackets, I was wearing a base layer and jersey. There was a bit of drizzle about but nothing serious. The chaps soon removed the raincoats and I was soon too hot! We cycled Jonnie's Route today, to take advantage of a 15mph wind from the west. To be honest, it didn't feel like 15mph - the BBC just tend to make things up on their weather app.

There was some talk of missing out The Average Destroyer but that didn't last long. We all got up it okay and our average was still above 14mph at the top. We rolled along at a good pace and our average was 14.4mph when we applied the brakes at Wilmcote.

Jane was away so I served cake and tea. I decided not to have cake because my jersey was feeling a little tight after my holiday...

We watched some golf with Eric and then headed back into the lanes. The sun was shining!

When we reached Danzey Green, I decided to test the knee. I'd rested it for a week, now it was time to see if that had done any good. I gave it the beans off the front for about a mile and was pleased to find that there were no sharp pains, no aches and no clicking! Is it time to go back to deadlifting and running? I might try a short run next week.

James came roaring past me on Tom Hill and then we all trundled back to Jonnie's place. Jonnie let me win the sprint, mainly because he didn't realise I was behind him up the hill!

Lucy, Sally, Jane, Pam, Emma and Jess were having tea and cake. We had a brief chat and then I headed back for some lunch.

I cycled in to Solihull to do a bit of shopping before heading home for a shower.

The evening's Karate lesson was run by Sensei Gary. The emphasis was on kihon up and down the hall. I was eventually given a group of new, determined brown belts to work with. It was great to see how much they progressed in just 25 minutes. I hope I get students like these in my own classroom in September.

Home for two bowls of homemade bolognese and then to pick up Mouse from the train station (she had been to Madrid!)

The Walking Dead.

Reading in bed.

Cycling: 38 miles, Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol