Easter 26 - Day 3

The plan for day 3 was originally to stay at Colchester Country Park and maybe go into Colchester to have a mooch around the castle etc.

Although the site is okay, the distance to the centre was too much, and of course the traffic noise. It was LOUD!

So in the week I emailed Sarah at the Waterpump CL, where we were booked on Sunday overnight, to add a second night, Saturday, as well.

The altered plan meant we would have normally meant being off for 11am, but we were booked until Sunday. In the event, we had all the blue jobs done, and the waste water drained in good time.

But where to go? I had thought Aldeburgh, but Claire thought with it being Easter, then it could be packed. So she suggested Snape Maltings. Nice walks, culture in the form of art works by famous sculptors, and a really nice dog friendly café.

Once onto the A12 heading towards Ipswich and with a quarter of a tank used we decided to fill up at our favourite, and cheaper than most, Esso garage. As we approached we could see as a result of it's lower price it was rammed with cars, and many overhanging into the left carriageway.

We went past and filled up with £40 of diesel at the next station. 

Once on the approach to Woodbridge, we took the satnav suggested route to Snape that took us within maybe half a mile of Sutton Hoo -https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/suffolk/sutton-hoo

We decided that it would be easier to park a 6m van. It was but even the overflow car park, where campervans are always expected to park, was nearly full. 

We had expected it to some extent. Easter Saturday?

Once Reggie was hooked up to the short lead, we set off. It seems the National Trust isn't doing the pet passports any more. The old one for visits to NT properties expired last month. 

There were dogs everywhere. We checked our cards in, and went to get a coffee ☕.

The main café here is a bit of a reverse-face place. Most of the seating indoors is dog friendly, with a sectioned off area for those preferring no dogs. We easily found a table. Luckily it was still clean and tidy around it. 

The table behind us had some children. When they left the floor was covered in food they had dropped and the parents had made no attempt to clean up. I suppose they think it's someone else's job to clear up after them! A great lesson for their kids.

As we have been several times before, we took a different walk to the river view. The path goes through the woods to where the Alde river is down in the valley. This is the river the Saxons will have sailed and rowed their longboats up all those years ago.

Nearby is a tree sculpted to look like a huge sword in the stone. I took a photo here.

Once we had retraced our steps and popped into the shop alongside the café, we returned to the van.  Luckily I could get out as there was just enough space to clear the cars on each side and behind. Basically a four point reverse turn.

The last few miles to the Waterpump went off without any drama. The TomTom has chosen a couple of narrow bits, but nothing to arduous.

When we arrived we took the last space. A CL can only legally have five pitches under planning regulations. Every time before we have all backed into the spaces with a view over the meadow towards Framlingham, this time everyone was parked across the pitch. We did the same.

We paid Sarah and met her 18 month old spaniel.

Then we settled down. Dinner and some YouTube on the TV.

Tomorrow, we will go and visit Claire's sister locally and then maybe try the pub.

Paul