Sutton Hoo & The Final Evening of The East Anglia Trip - 29th Aug ‘19

Up and out a bit quicker today. Breakfast at Morrisons was cheap, convenient and pretty gruesome. I’ve tried meat and I’ve tried veggie.. either way, it leaves you wanting less!

We travelled the 40 miles to a National Trust Site, Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-hoo  It was s beautiful setting and was really interesting being up close and personal to my fave era of history ... Anglo Saxon England. The boys were very good except Harry kept telling us that we shouldn’t say die as daddy said it was rude. It made explaining what had gone on at Sutton Hoo 1400 years ago quite a challenge!

The tour guide would have been nice but somethings are not meant to be with Twinnies. They were all great fun as there were some things for them to do in the exhibition, lawn Jenga, a zip wire, trees to climb and, of course, ice cream!

We called in at Aldeburgh to buy 2 more stuffed seals- the Twinnies have taken a liking to the one that Kim got last week. We tried to find a t shirt for Charlie but that didn’t prove quite so easy!

Back home to Brunnehilda to pack up Isabella to facilitate a quick getaway tomorrow morning. The damp smell is still with us - we are a bit worried it might be Isabella her self that wiffs. Not something that is easy to tell a lady so the juries remains out!

Once all packed up we took the boys back to Lowestoft to play in the water fountain. This time though, as the wind was quite a chilly one, there was no one else there! It didn’t stop the 3 of them having a great time and this time we came prepared with towels and a second set of clothes - no trip to Asda for us tonight!

I’m not normally a fan of Pizza Hut but I gotta say, it was darn nice. Good job Lowestoft Hut! I especially enjoyed the cheesy chips!

We settled down with The Missing Link and tea bracing ourselves for the journey home to Whilton Marina tomorrow morning.

Just to finish off:

White House Beach Club Site Pros and Cons:
Pros:
1) On the beach - less than a 5 minute walk.
2) The owners / wardens were exceptionally friendly and helpful
3) Good washing and cleaning facilities - body and clothes!
Cons:
1) The smell - right next to the sewage works. It seemed a lot worse in the evening?
2) No facilities for kids. Playground was quite poor.
3) No on-site shop

East Anglia trip highlights and lowlights:
- Nicest meal: Fat Teds Sheringham / The Bucket List Cromer
- Favourite town: Aldeburgh
- Best beach: Southwold
- Worst place visited: Lowestoft. The water fountain great but not much else
- Worst meal: Delphines Diner at Aldeburgh
- Nicest memory: Watching kids in the water fountain
- Nicest walk: Dunwich Beach and back via NT walk / Walberswick to Southwold / first night walk from campsite to Cromer
- Prettiest place: Walberswick
- Wow moment: For me, the seal encounter at Aldeburgh
- Biggest pleasant surprise: Halesworth Town and Sizewell Beach
- Biggest surprise: Catching 3 crabs in our second dip!

Mini Golf at Lowestoft & Crabbing at Southwold - 28th Aug ‘19

It’s 9pm and it feels like 4am ... that’s the calming effect of the Twinnies! Although I have to say all 3 of them have been perfectly behaved today.

After 6 days of glorious sunshine it broke today - it rained all morning and, although the sun came out after 2pm, there was quite a stiff breeze all afternoon / evening.

The boys were keen to play mini golf so we set off to Lowestoft after a morning in Isabella dodging the showers. We walked into town from the South Beach Car Park taking in McDonalds for a spot of lunch. Then off to the mini golf ....

A closely fought thing with Charlie taking the honours at the Lowestoft Links Open. We celebrated with more bubblegum ice cream. Harry commented that Grandma’s eyes were the same colour as the bubblegum ice cream! I think he’s exactly right, they are.

We managed to get a crabbing net in Lowestoft so we decided to do a bit of crabbing. Walberswick is a hot spot for crabs so we headed off south, picking up some bacon as we went. When we got there it was clearly not going to work - the tide was well in and all the possible spots were taken. Kim and the boys decided to get the ferry over to Southwold and, as the ferry stops running at 5, I drove round and parked up on the Southwold side of the river.

We met up and then walked along the beach stopping for more ice cream and Churros at H&J Cafe. In our humble opinion, this place is definitely the best place to get ice cream in Suffolk and the Churros were darn nice as well.

Onto the pier for another go at crabbing. We were the only ones with crab nets which didn’t bode well. The first dip came up empty which continued not to bode well. It started to drizzle so the 2nd dip was thrown in as probably our last of the evening. 5 mins later Charlie pulled up 3 lively little crabs - the boys a natural!!

We then started the long walk from the Pier back to the ferry car park - stopping for a few chips along the way. The drizzle had stopped by now but it was far from a pleasant evening - what a difference a day makes?!

Hone to Brunnehilda in time for Kim to do load of washing and the boys to settle down with a re-run of The Missing Link DVD. This time the Twinnies have lifted their self imposed “scary ban” and are watching it from the safety of the bed.

The MacArthur Boys & Lowestoft - 27th Aug ‘19

The Vikings are here. Their leader has left for home in the only long boat so I guess that’s it!!

You don’t get out and about quickly with Twinnies in tow. To be fair, we’ve been having lots of lazy mornings this week, although to continue the fair theme, this wasn’t a lazy morning but nothing really happened until the afternoon! It would be remiss of me though not to mention a nice BBQd breakfast. Twinnies ordered one of everything from the breakfast griddle and left it all! Charlie did enjoy the halloumi (can’t get close enough even for spell checker to help!!) though.

Laura was leaving at 2 so we stayed fairly close to home. We all walked over the road to Kessingland’s beach for a very pleasant couple of hot hours. Most of which I spent in the sea! We did have time for a few water fights, a couple of bags of crisps, Twinnies swimming and building (and subsequently destroying) a couple of moated sand castles.

We headed into Lowestoft at about 4. We parked at South Beach and waited hangrily for a nice looking eating establishment to open - Iconic. https://www.iconiclowestoft.co.uk/ Bubblegum ice cream kept all but the most severe hunger pains away. Iconic was a bit of a hit- the Twinnies certainly enjoyed it with Finners clearing up a plate of ham and Harry enjoying the chicken goujons.

After the meal the boys had loads of fun in the very impressive water fountains. They had so much fun - the only people having more fun was Kim and I watching them! The crazy golf had shut so I reckoned this was a better (aka cheaper!) alternative. What I hadn’t reckoned for was that they would get so wet and we had no towel, so we had to buy a complete new wardrobe (x3) from the local Asda!?

Cars and DVDs were also on the Asda shopping list. I didn’t know you could spend that much at Asda?! Waitrose yes, but Asda?

We returned to Brunnehilda as it was getting dark. There has been a funny smell detected - a little musty / damp type of smell. Kim thinks it may be Isabella but I think it might be the carpet? That was the only thing that may have been put away damp?

Charlie watched a DVD while the Twinnies played with their new cars. They refused to watch the DVD as they said it was too scary - a cartoon called The Missing Link. I’m not sure the Twinnie X rating was fully justified but they certainly stuck to their guns and refused to even be in the caravan while it was playing! If that’s the way of keeping Twinnies out the van, I’ll be back to Asda tomorrow to buy The Exorcist, Insidious and the Paranormal Activity box set!

A Traumatic Move to Kessingland & the Boys Join Us - 26th Aug ‘19

Another moving day ... another scorcher!

The pack up went quickly and smoothly. The pitch was a bit of a disaster- I think a case of over confidence kicked in? I will expand later...

We left Seacroft Cromer at 11 and arrived at White House Beach Kessingland at about 12.45. Pros and cons of Seacroft will follow but firstly the tale of woh ...
1) I didn’t plan the trip (again!) so the postcode on the sat nav took us to a housing estate! We had to a couple of very tight turns to get out and then climb into the van to get the site book to get the correct directions!
2) We had lots of pitches to chose from but for some unexplained reason I panicked and just took the first one we came to!
3) I tried to back Brunnehilda on, failed dismally so had to motor move her. I had her stuck in the middle of the road with a guy waiting to get by and I couldn’t engage the mover for ages!
4) Once I got her moved, I placed her too close to a tree - Isabella wouldn’t fit in - so I had to put the corner stays back up and move her over a few inches.
5) Turns out I should have moved her over a couple more inches as the porch is now rubbing on a branch and the next door neighbour is going to struggle to get his electric hook up out as Isabella is right on top of his wires!

Laura arrived with the boys at about 6 pm just as I was putting the finishing touches to Isabella - pegging her out and putting down the carpet. Earlier we had to take a break from putting her up in the sizzling heat for me to take dip in the sea to cool down. This site is right on the beach - literally across the road. About 5 mins from door to water.

                         

The beach was very atmospheric - I think the heat was causing a bit of a heat haze effect? The water was about perfect although I would have personally preferred sand than Suffolk pebbles buy hey, you can’t gave everything!

Once we got the beds ready in Isabella, we headed out to Southwold for the evening. I took the Twinnies to the beach while fish and chips were purchased from the same chip shop we went to last week. The Twinnies built up an appetite by pebble chucking. Of course they managed to get their feet wet which grandad got the blame for!?

We ate the chips overlooking the sea with the Southwold lighthouse lightening the sky. Finishing quickly to enable us to get an ice cream from H&J’s before they shut at 9 - and a bloody nice one it was too. Kim had Mango which was very special.

Back to Brunnehilda for the beds up, jarmers on and to bed routine. Kim and I are in Isabella, Laura and Harry in the main bed with Charlie and Finners in the dinette bed.

As promised, pros and cons from Seacroft Club Site, Cromer:
Pros:
1) Great position for walking to Cromer (15 mins) and East Runton beach (10 mins)
2) Superb facilities. Perfect loos and showers and even a swimming pool - although we didn’t use it!
3) Good 4G
Cons:
1) Price - the most expensive one so far
2) Not very friendly folks around us. I have a theory which I will expand on some time soon
3) Busy road to pull out onto - especially if turning right
4) Pitch didn’t allow awning

A day out in Cromer - 25th Aug ‘19

Another exhausting day of doing very little in the sun!

It started with a lunch time trip to Tesco’s at Sheringham. The morning was taken up with the usual tea in bed, leisurely breakfast and personal grooming!

Today was pretty much a reverse of our first day. A walk into Cromer via the cliff / road and then back hone via East Runton along the beach.

We were keen to get lunch from The Bucket List and it was worth it! https://m.facebook.com/Chipbuckets/ A bucket of fries with homemade toppings. I had The Nugs Bucket which had virtually everything on it! Kim’s was a much more modest affair but nether the less equally as delicious. Also needless to say my bucket was emptied - Kim’s wasn’t!

Cromer was absolutely heaving but it had a nice relaxed vibe and the crowds were well spread so seemed fine. We walked toward the Overstrand Beach side. We found a quiet bit of beach for reading, relaxing and swimming. A family did encroach on our space - which is bloody annoying. You try and give those around you a good 5 yards clearance and then the bloody Flintstones come and sit on your lap!

Back home via Cromer Pier and a lot of people watching on the beach while eating ice creams. We were fascinated by a family on the beach with 2 twin boys - about 7. Like our Twinnies they were like human dynamos and with the same fascination for picking things up and chucking them as far as they could. Funny how you can call it “people watching” when it clearly is just being nosey!?

The walk back along the beach with the sun setting and all the day trippers heading hone was lovely.

When we got back to Brunnehilda I caddied a smoked salmon and we had the vegetable paella heated up with it for dinner. Well, to be accurate, I had the fish while Kim has kept her veggie diet going all this holiday - apart from one fish and chips in Southwold last week.

We settled down at about 9 to enjoy a cup of tea and watch a DVD - Goodbye Christopher Robin. Not holding out much too but hey, you never know!?
To be fair we were driven in from enjoying the pleasant evening air by the act in the clubhouse just over the fence (they must have all the windows open!) We’ve just had Neil Diamond, ABBA and now Chuck Berry murdered - enough is enough!

Visiting Nicky and Andy at Stiffkey - 24th Aug ‘19

The blogging discipline has dropped again! Writing this on a bright sunny Bank Holiday Sunday after a glorious hot and sunny Bank Holiday Saturday.

The longest spell at the campsite today. We didn’t leave Brunnehilda until after 1.30pm. The time was taken up with the normal hectic schedule of breakfasting, abluting and relaxing. CL sites are certainly a lot more friendly than Club Sites like this. Not that anyone is unfriendly or that we’ve made a particular effort - apart from the obligatory smile and good morning (unless it’s the afternoon!). I have noticed that there are a lot of families from Leicester / Nottingham - I’m guessing it is quite a traditional holiday place for East Midlanders?

We wanted to get a plant from the area - as we did in Devon. Kim had her eye on something called Agapanthus, which seems to be abundant in this part of the world. North Norfolk is not awash with garden centres but the 2nd one we tried was a little (actual not so little!?) gem. As well as getting the aforementioned agapanthus’ we also managed to buy a garden table - it was too good a bargain not to! Methinks Brunnehilda is going to be full to the gunnels for the trip home!? The place was called Holt Garden Centre http://www.holtgardencentre.co.uk/ - ironically more in Kelling than Holt. A fabulous place who also, as they all seem to, did a mean cup of tea and slice of cake.

We followed the coast road around to Nicky and Andy’s place at Stiffkey. There were some wonderful little places en-route like Cley, Salthouse and Blakeney.  Definitely worth an explore but I doubt we will have time- this time round! This part of Norfolk is very different to the “seasidy” resorts of Cromer and Sheringham. It is very pretty and we were also amazed at how hilly Norfolk can be?

Nicky and Andy’s house(s) are wonderfully old and characterful. Around every corner and up every staircase (and there are 4 of them!) there is something to “wow” at! Period features is an understatement and the bits they have completed really show what a fab place(s) they will have when all the building work is finished.
But the garden was the real showstopper - not huge but very secluded with the river Stiffkey running through at the bottom. They have made great use of the river with a summerhouse and a nice seating area to watch the otters play! Andy does some writing from the shed - no one could fail to be inspired in such a setting.

We went on a pleasant circular walk towards the sea and then back via the local pub where we managed a very welcome pint in the shade of the courtyard garden.

Back to Wagtail Cottage for a tasty home cooked meal of stuffed peppers, falafels and chicken. Plus of course Nicky’s homemade tzatziki (sorry about the spelling!). We ate in the garden so by the time we made our way hone it was very very dark (and quiet) - another benefit of life at Stiffkey?

A 40 minute journey hone and then a quick catch up on line and to bed. Cobblers lost again but hey, if you let that spoil your day you’d never get of bed from July to May!

Beach Walk to Sheringham (and back) - 23rd Aug ‘19

A nice hot day today. Not a cloud in the sky and just a gentle sea breeze to prevent any potential “over heating”. To borrow a footballing cliche ... this was definitely a day of 2 halves!

It all started well enough with a leisurely breakfast and a welcome shower. The plan was to get on the beach at East Runton and walk the 4 miles along the beach to Sheringham. A good enough plan assuming you have checked the tide tables first. Turns out it was high tide just about the minute we set foot on the beach. What that meant is that the walking was particularly difficult. At high tide the beach is a pretty miserable mixture of sand and rocks. No easy walking with or without shoes.

After grunting and groaning our way as far as West Runton we decided to abort, climb up onto the cliff and finish the walk into Sheringham via the Norfolk Coastal Path. This was a far better plan, providing us with some hard but easier (if you know what I mean?!) walking and some bloody splendid sea views.

Sheringham was busy but we struck lucky with our 3 food and beverage choices during the afternoon.
Firstly a splendid sea view, cup of tea and scone at Whelk Coppers.https://whelkcoppers.com/
Then a magnificent wrap (Kim) and nachos with homemade hot sauce (me) at Fat Teds. https://www.fatteds.com/
Finally a very adequate locally made ice cream from Ronaldos. https://www.ronaldo-ices.co.uk/

We started the long walk back with some trepidation but it was now low tide (6 ish) so we felt more confident as the nicer sand was available to us. It did turn out to be a much nicer walk back. I even managed a quick swim between East and West Runton.

We were both pretty knackered though when we got back to Brunnehilda!
One thing is certain ... no beach tomorrow!!

Moving to North Norfolk / Gorgeous Evening in Cromer - 22nd Aug ‘19

As with most moving days, today was a glorious hot and sunny one.

Breakfast and then up and at ‘em. The pack up process ( minus Isabella) is a breeze and the current Mrs Pitts and I hurry through the process steps like a couple of old pros. On the road by 11.15. See my pros and cons list later in the blog for Hill Farm Darsham.

Straight forward journey around Norwich and arriving at Seacroft Cromer at about 1.15pm. We have a non awning pitch so with a bit of motor moving (the pitch was much too challenging for my current reversing competence!) we were soon settled. It’s a full club site so it has all the facilities- including a swimming pool! It is situated just off the main road on the Sheringham side of Cromer. The sea is about 1/4 mile away - over a road and another campsite.

After a trip to Morrisons to get a few provisions and a bite to eat we enjoyed a bit of sunshine sitting outside Brunnehilda. Kim read and I watched the Test on my i-phone.

Dinner was vegetable paella on the Cadac - absolutely scrummy. Made even more so as I made it - well under strict instruction from the head chef that is!

After dinner we set out for a bit of a walk - need to get the steps registered! We walked out of town to East Runton to get onto the beach. From there we walked along the beach back into Cromer. There was a lovely atmosphere with lots of folks BBQing on the beach. There was a gorgeous red sky sunset as well that added to the ambience.

Coffee and chocolate just by the pier and then up into Cromer town centre - just in-time to see the annual carnival parade through the streets. Nice idea to have it at night with all the lights.

We walked back home along the main road and were then treated to the carnival firework display which we watched from Brunnehilda’s front door.

Canasta was a bit of a walk over tonight but modesty prevents me from giving you the full details.

Hill Farm Darsham CL Site:
Pros:
1) Fabulous position for Southwold and Aldeburgh
2) Fresh eggs readily available
3) Our own personal water tap
Cons:
1) Road noise from very busy nearby A12
2) We didn’t have an awning pitch. Lots of room but not allowed to pitch on hard standing
3) Facilities - while they were clean (ish) they were far from pleasant to use
4) No view - could have been anywhere
5) WiFi, although free, was awful. And no 4G!