Sunday, 29 January 2012

A day out

We went to Orford Castle (English Heritage) just over the border into Suffolk.  We had the audio guide to listen to as we went round the castle and learned quite a lot.  In its day it was very luxurious and King Henry II spent a fortune on building it.  What is there now is only the keep, the rest of the castle having been destroyed and the stone taken by local people to build houses.  We had quite an insight into how the people lived there in the middle ages.  They even had a chapel and three separate toilets, or latrines, as they called them, two kitchens, and a bakery on the roof. 
When we came out it was raining and we were cold from being in the castle, so went straight into the nearest pub for coffee.  It was a very nice pub with modern furnishings and dog-friendly.  The manager brought a blanket for one of the dogs there to sit on!  I said to him that the English should be more dog-friendly, like the French, and he agreed.  Orford village is absolutely charming.  Went down to the quay to eat our lunch and watch the boats bobbing on the water. 
We then went to Faringham Castle which I thought was going to be better but turned out not to be as good as Orford.  Ian made me walk on the ramparts and it was terrifying, especially if you don't like heights!  Afterwards we walked in the town and bought some haddock in the market.  Then tea at a quaint little tea shop.  Ian had a cream tea with two homemade scones, jam and lashings of cream.  I just had a cup of tea - that's what comes of being on the SCD diet!  Oh well - its all for the best!!
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3 comments:

  1. jessica daisy30 January 2012 at 23:10

    Sounds like a lovely day out Sal. It's funny but I was just looking in a camping book I have called 'tiny campsites' and saw that a pub in Orford has one in an orchard next to pub garden. I think it is called the Jolly Sailor. I thought we might go for a weekend in spring. Is their much to do apart from visit the Castle?

    Jess x

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  2. Sally Forward31 January 2012 at 03:28

    Hi Jessie, Orford is a lovely village, very old, lots of nice pubs. The castle is very interesting. We went down to the quay where there are boats, places to buy and eat fresh fish. You can get a boat to go to Orfordness (National Trust) which is a nature reserve. Here is the link for that http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/orford-ness/
    Something that might interest Danny – Orfordness is also the place where they did a lot of research and testing for rockets and nuclear stuff after the war. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/orford-ness/things-to-see-and-do/

    There is also nearby Easton Hall Farm – maybe good for Ella! They have the Suffolk Punch farm horses as well as hundreds of other animals. Judging from their website – lots of the things for families and kids. http://www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk/

    Should keep you entertained for a few days!

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  3. jessica daisy31 January 2012 at 09:15

    Thanks Sal! x

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