(no subject)

To Southwold for the weekend - an impromptu event, driven by a need to get away from the routine we find ourselves in. The Swan Hotel is very attractive and in an excellent position in the centre of the town - the only (minor) downside was that the main hotel was full so we fetched up in one of the "garden rooms" - a small group of bungaloids built to the rear of the hotel - pleasant enough, but not drowning in ambience. The hotel restaurant (of which people speak highly) was closed due to a "gala function", so we had vague plans to eat at The Crown, a sister hotel/pub/restaurant that offered either a full rstaurant or a gastro-pub deal. Sadly the restaurant was full and the first table available in the gastro-pub thang was not until 9:30. We ended up in the ..errr...Kings Head (I think) - a nice enough pub, with nice enough food. Nothing startling, but the baked haddock with crushed new potatoes and rarebit sauce was well cooked and ...well..tasty... The beer was outstanding, it has to be said. I was drinking Broadside and herself Fishermans. The former is an Adnams bitter and the latter is clased as an "old ale" - very nice...slightly sweet and sort of a bit like a young stout - a plump, perhaps? The beer was good because Adnams brewery was...ummm..maybe 100 yards down the road.

Sleep was interrupted by someone in an adjoining room who had left a tap on... The sound of the water in the pipes was not soothing. Oh no. Nor did it lull one. It grated. Like a grater. But eventually they twigged and calm was restored (at around four in the morning).

Breakfast was good - Em feasted on a traditional full English - I came over all Home Service and gulped down a kipper, bones an' all. Veh good it was too. Then a walk on the beach - a beautiful morning - clear blue skies, big waves coming on from the North Sea and very pretty beach-huts.

Southwold is a nice place. I like it.