June began on a high note with warn sunshine and a cheese and wine evening aboard Lightship Sula and a very interesting and informative tour of the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum with Rob Dixon, not to mention a Civic Trust visit to Highnam Court with its fantastic gardens, more of Highnam later.
What is it? Normally called the Snail
The cake shop on Westgate Street
Paddleboard expert Mike painting Lightship Sula
Public spirited paddleboarders doing their litter pick
Armed Forces Day at the Soldiers of Gloucester Museum All the dignitaries on parade
A few older soldiers!Korean veteran Tommy Clough is the popular last survivor of the Battle of Imjin, 70 years ago.
Helping out we did 16,787 steps that day, beating our target of 12,000
Reflections in Victoria Basin
A week on the Gloucester and Sharpness canal:
The bridge keepers hut at Patch Bridge Slimbridge
Celebrated wildlife photographer at work. Swallows and sparrows. Enlarging holes in nest boxes evidently worked and now multi occupancy.
Staff at Slimbridge do have a sense of humour!Is it a reed warbler?
A perfect dandelion clock on Sharpness towpath
Sunset just north of Splatt bridgeRemember the roundabout with the canal flowing under? Now looking really good with grass growing and trees in leaf
Brother in law takes the wheel on a cruise to Saul Junction.
Saul Junction Tidy shed thanks to volunteer MalcolmReed cutting at Saul Junction, not that we were aware of a problem, its so deep!
And so off to Woodbridge Suffolk where we spent a day with Tony’s cousins and caught up with family news and history.
Tony’s Mother relaxing with her parents and grandmother
Sutton Hoo
the campsite was within walking distance of the site
Have you seen the film “The Dig” that tells this story?
The ship was moved from the river to its resting place at the top of the hill
A field with a few humps and bumps, we weren’t allowed in (Covid?)!
In the museum
It was all a bit underwhelming until we met this anglo saxon
Zita & Ruth with anglo saxon warrior, who was very informative.
Sunset at the campsite
Orford Ness
Orford castle, English Heritage, very welcoming and excellent guided tour.
Brilliant model that could be taken swivelled to reveal the detail within.Amazing views from the top, including this, looking out towards the sea, large area of low lying ground!Ancient graffitti
Interesting more recent history in the area.
Aldeburgh proved disappointing. Not the upmarket town I had envisaged. Steeply shelving pebble beach. Its redeeming quality was its messages about litter, that we should see elsewhere:
Martello Tower is now a holiday let!
Framlington Castle did not disappoint
Castle gatewayEnjoyed the walkway and medieval chimneys
Ickworth house part hotel part National Trust. Much more interesting below stairs where the services were all labelled
Helmingham Gardens were just stunning! The house is privately owned and house not open but looks magnificent:
Veg patchFrog just one of so many topiary bushesThe apple walk featuring old varieties. This one appropriately is a Bramley Seedling!Yew hedges
Felixtowe dock area. People were sitting watching boats arriving and being unloaded and containers sorted by huge cranes. We didn’t arrive until after 6pm, but cafe still open and busy. Too late to explore the Landguard fort.
Site of special note, with board walks etc, great spot.
The stately home we enjoyed the most was Kentwell again privately owned and quirky so different to NT
Tree carving at its best
Tea with peacock trying to steal my cakeJust one of many amazing roomsThe Pied Piper topiaryA moat tooMeeting room?Facade
A morning visit to Ipswich, just waterside, didn’t do town, next time?:
The old portNow extensive marina. Lots of neighbouring waterways to explore.
Cardinal Wolsey
2 thoughts on “June 2021 Part 1 Gloucester”
Always so interesting. I would love to go to some of these places. You really had the best retirement plans.
So many wonderful photos! This post makes me want to see everything you write about, even Sutton Hoo. 27 meters is quite a large boat to haul up a hill. Tony’s mom looks so happy.
I’m glad we got to see Gloucester Docks and the military museum. You two are so good at bringing forward the best of a location.
Always so interesting. I would love to go to some of these places. You really had the best retirement plans.
So many wonderful photos! This post makes me want to see everything you write about, even Sutton Hoo. 27 meters is quite a large boat to haul up a hill. Tony’s mom looks so happy.
I’m glad we got to see Gloucester Docks and the military museum. You two are so good at bringing forward the best of a location.