Tour of Suffolk

Up with the lark and over to Ely just after 7:15 - was determined not to risk a repeat of the last visit. Quite misty - dead atmospheric driving up and catching glimpses of the tower through the mist. No wonder Hereward the Wake was able to hide out here. Apart from people attending Matins in a side chapel it was just me. Its still a totally glorious building.

Then back to Bury for brekkie before heading off on the family round. Great great grandfather's grave still there in Stradbroke. Pulled the Ivy off. had a chat with the vicar's wife who was vacuuming the church. Then a cruise past other family related places - Fressingfield (and church), Hoxne (and church), Wilby Rd, Wootten Green and Brockdish (and church). Brockdish is a plague church I think - well away from the village which suggest after the Balck Death had wiped them out the remaining villagers re-established away from the original site.

So by this time Frodo decided that after five churches it was time for some castles so we headed off to Framlington where Mary Tudor rallied supporters in the face of the attempt to put Jane Grey on the throne. Curtain wall only left but still impressive. Local church has various Howard tombs including that of Thoas H, Earl of Surrey. Another seen it in the history book now see it in the "flesh" moment. Of course he was executed after being dobbed in by his own dad!

Frodo loved the Ginger and Lemon ice cream 

Then we hotfooted it over to Orford by the coast. Built by Henry II round 1170 just the keep remains. From there headed to Lavenham which is an amazing medieval village with lots of half timbered buildings and another great church! It it was a matter of finding a petrol station (there isn't one in Lavenham) before I ran out - obviously it had been beeping at me for a while but had been drowned out by a combination of Sharon and Classics FM! Made it.