Jane and David Visit Suffolk

Today we said farewell to Jane and David as they continued their holiday tour to head for Clitheroe and all the family around there.

Here are some photos from the week they spent with us. Thank-you David for doing all the driving - we needed to use his car to be able to fit Jane's walker in the boot.

Sunday:

David came to the Beer Festival (see here)

Monday:

Laura and Laurence came through from Bedford for the day to join us, along with William who was here for the Bank Holiday weekend.

William was out for the day bike riding in Thetford Forest, so he missed out on the croquet in the back garden. Jane watched on.

Then we all had dinner together....

...before games night in the kitchen.

Tuesday:

Today we visited the Shotley peninsula.

We stopped at the Suffolk Food Hall first and had an ice-cream.

Then it was on to Shotley Point. We parked at the marina.

The tide was mostly out so the lock had to fill quite a bit for this yacht to go through.

The foot ferry is still running, but it was their lunchtime while we were there so we didn't see it dock here.

It is just a short trip across to Harwich. You can see photos from when we took it for a day trip in August 2013 here.

Then it was to Pin Mill and the Butt and Oyster for a late lunch - we had a table booked for 2pm.

Wednesday:

Today we had Dawn's brother Jonathan, his wife Natalie and their girls Eliza and Lola visit for the day.

I laid on a buffet.

Then it was onto some games.

Natalie and Dawn.

Brother and sister catching up.

Then it was time for some crafting.

Good work, girls.

Thursday

Today we had a trip to Felixstowe. I hadn't realised Natalie, Jonathan and the girls had planned to join us for the Thursday and Friday, not just the Wednesday, but they were very welcome.

We met at the Viewpoint Café.

We had a good view of the final loading of the 399m long 176490 tonne MSC Venice, built in 2016,  which was due to sail at about 1:15pm for Rotterdam.

The foot ferry arrived from Harwich.

Leaving the others, Dawn, Eliza Lola and I walked out to Landguard point.

We had a good view back at the container ships.

The view along the beach to Felixstowe.

The point.

There were plenty of yachts out enjoying the breeze and sunshine.

I headed back to watch the ship ready for departure - the girls followed a little later. You can see the tugs getting into position.

We stayed to watch the ship sail.

First she was pulled out from the quayside.

Then she was turned around to sail out to sea.

It was fascinating to watch. But by the time we got to the Ferryboat Inn...

...they had stopped serving food so we just had a drink.

I took a little walk as Dawn took the girls onto the beach.

The foot ferry across the River Deben was running.

Then it was home and, after they had stopped in Felixstowe for some fish and chips, Jonathan, Natalie and the girls dropped in for some more games.

Friday:

When we visited Melford Hall recently (see here) we talked to the staff there about their mobility scooters, called Jeremy and Jemima (after the Beatrix Potter characters, of course). I rang them up and booked Jeremy from 11 to 1pm today so Jane could have a ride and get further than she could with her walker. She loved it!

Getting instructions and filling in the forms.

Jeremy could go "off-road" so we could go along the paths in the parkland later.

But we visited the gardens first and tried out some of the games.

Dawn and David had a game of croquet...

...while I went to get some drinks.

Then it was off into the parkland to see the views.

We travelled a few miles along the road to Cavendish to have a picnic on the green. Here we found them getting ready for tomorrow's fete. A local told us all about it. Where we were sat would be a sheep pen for some rare breeds tomorrow.

We waited for Jonathan et al to arrive before we started out picnic.

We were right by the primary school...

...and just about 100 yards from The Five Bells - handy for drinks and toilets.

Alongside the fete was a scarecrow competition. We went to find some of them.

At about 6pm, we all went back to our place for a final set of games. We finally managed to tire Lola out. They left about 10:30pm and we got a message from Natalie in the morning..

"Lola’s off switch was found not long after we arrived home 😂" and

"Such a fabulous and fun few days spent all together. We have all loved it 🥰.  The girls will miss our family  days out and games evenings. I’m the only one awake in the household! Safe travels today. Much love 😘 xxx Thank you Dawn and John too. Lets do games get togethers and trips out more 😁 xxx"

What a fun filled week! I need another trip to bottle bank now after all the wine we drank! Have more fun in Clitheroe, Jane and David. Thanks for coming. Come again soon - there are plenty more places we can take you.

You can find more photos of our week together here on Flickr.