A birds eye view over the hedgerows

I have found driving in the Camper van Pattys Wagon has opened up another window on life .

I hope more will come in the coming year

One can see over Englands hedgerows , see passing fields of free range pigs and piglets basking in the sun, peep into Englands wonderful cottage gardens and look out over the undulating countryside with fields of corn, rape and the potatoe crop which is now in flower . Then the first view of the sea, as a child that was always the competition who saw the sea first. Me of course !!! The advantage of being an only child .

The beach place of Aldeburgh has won our hearts, a long shingle beach stretching along the coast, reminds me a great deal of Tor Cross in Devon, near where my parents used to live in the first years of their retirement. That beach was used as practice ground for the D Day Landings in the 2 world war, which meant that the whole inlying coast was evacuated for a long time , there has been a book written about it , but I have forgotten the name 

Aldeburgh was made famous by Benjamin Brittan who lived and composed many of his works there..

nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Britten or en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Britten

Now it is a pleasant seaside resort , having 2 well known fish and chips shops and several fish huts selling the catch of the day fresh or smoked, along the beach walk. A sculpture of a scallop is a well know landmark on the beach. 

Our first trip there was a beautiful summer day with a light breeze, just wonderful. Lady P just adored it , even the paddle in the sea. I was more adventuruse but found getting out on the shingle quite a problem. See photos.

We lunched on smoked prawns eaten out of the paper bag and a glass of pinot gris, which I had with me, one problem no corkscrew but not to be perturbed Annie pushed the cork in. Never lend anyone your corkscrew or make sure you have two. Or take Annie with you. 

Annie is wonderful carrying Penny everywhere in her bag when she gets too tired or lazy to walk. I think I may have to have a doggy pram when I am on my own!!!

Oh my God what a degradation for Lady P and me . Perhaps one of those smart ones belonging to the yuppies who go running in Vondel park would be an idea.  That and a pair of Nikes, large sunglasses and an iPod playing Chariots of Fire.   Cool.

Who is Annie ?

http://www.annieperkins.com

We have one big thing in common we where born in the same cottage hospital in Urmston Manchester in the 1940's , she is 3 years younger . Annie recently revistited our place of birth. It is now an old peoples home. Hope for us yet .

After tea "a la British" next to Pattys wagon in the car park, see photo we troddled of back to Marthas cottage for broad beans, green asparagus, sauted with rosemary and coriander, accompanied by salami and lomo ( meats) from Emmetts - http://www.emmettsham.co.uk - the super chique deli in Peasenhall once  supplier of the Queen Mothers Bacon . !!!!

Other landmarks where visited during our stay.  Covehithe a 15th century church - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covehithe - and Southwold, my gosh the hottest day of the year, the first week of the school holidays and a camper van with almost L plates .

We did not even try, we hit the seafront seeing hundreds of people swarming around. Annie said what do you want I said get out of here, like I said to Ellen in Las Vegas . What is the best thing about Las Vegas, getting out of it. Needless to say Las Vegas was great fun and I am sure Southwold was too, beautiful beach huts and sandy beaches.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwold

But not for me . So Back to Aldburgh we went . It'si difficult to say goodbye to this haven, once again a  fab summers day. We may move on or  not. Thursday we are to be in Oxford getting ready to watch the Olympics Opening ceremony on Fayleen's large smart TV.