The Eels Foot Eastbridge 2/6/17

The week dragged, even though it had only been a four-dayer, so we were both very eager for Friday to come.  The weather forecast was mixed but mainly okay.  It was meant to be raining by 7pm and we managed a quick set up, and had what we thought was the prime pitch, with the awning set up looking out at Minsmere reserve.  There was a slight reservation on having this pitch - the cesspit niff.  This wafted over unpleasant odours intermittently over the four days, but when you are in a place like this with so many advantages, it can be mainly overlooked.   We were a bit miffed though to hear that unbeknown to us or the caravan club, the fees had gone up to £15 a night. It is still worth it but it would have been good to have been told.

The rain came as the forecasters had said, and we were soon in the pub, with a large sauvignon blanc and an Aspalls. One sea bass and one chicken burger later and we were back in the van for a reasonably early night, having glimpsed the local barn owl hunting on the adjacent field.

The next morning it was clear that the wind and the pollen were playing havoc with Richard's eyes and nose, so we went and shopped at Saxmundham hoping the air-con in the car (and Waitrose!) would help. Waitrose is lovely for a treat, and shopping done for the long weekend, we then decided to have a walk to Westleton over the heaths.  It was beautiful and quiet, not seeing a soul all the way. We sat out in the White Horse's pub garden, considering the walk back, and as the Landlords at the Eels Foot had recently taken over at The Bell at Middleton, we decided to extend the route to check out progress.  This proved a surprisingly pretty route across wheat fields, then dropping in to the village giving views of the lovely church.  After a quick coke we are off and the route allowed Richard a luxury ice cream from the farm shop, as this had been thwarted at Westleton as we had missed the Post office opening times by five minutes.

The sign stating "Beware bull in field" was telling the truth.  Although the bull and his lady friends were well off the path, we were still concerned enough to arm ourselves with a decent stick .  We skipped across that field at a fair pace and leaped over the stile. The path then went up hill and on the way down we saw a large structure in the process of being built, also earth had been moved to shield this but not from our view on the footpath.  Such a shame it was pretty little valley.  Last year the last bit of path before the road was full of potato plants and flooded - we had been pushing bikes and I had fallen over.  This year the field was high with barley so all was well! 

Next morning (Sunday) we are up early as we are expecting Christine, Robert Gillian and Steve, for a day of bird watching on the reserve. It was slightly cooler and a perfect day for it. Quick cuppa and we were off.  We walked right around Minsmere and concentrated on the seabirds.  The skies were stunning and we had a lovely chatty walk with lots of bird sightings.  Back to the Eels Foot for wood fired pizza sitting in the sun. We follow this with a cuppa by the caravan and we are rewarded with a great view of our barn owl hunting very close by.

Monday saw us heading to Dunwich, following a brief stop in Leiston for some sun tan lotion.  We had a good walk around Greyfriars doing a geocache puzzle which took us around the site, through woods and along the roman road.  We see the only remaining gravestone from a church long since lost to the sea. 

We then look at the little museum which has been vastly improved and updated since we last went.  There was lots of interest on many topics but mainly explaining the sad plight of the large town falling into the sea - fascinating stuff. This is followed by an ice cream by the sea. 

We return to the site for a final sit in the pub garden, enjoy a caravan nap, and get the awning down. We then venture to our local bridge for a last look at Minsmere.  The weather is closing in and it is soon raining. The rain goes on all night with near gale force winds.  Quick pack up in the morning and off site early for a rough journey home, but it held off long enough to give us a fantastic weekend.