Birthday Afternoon -Thorpeness and Dunwich

We arrive in Thorpeness after lunch and have a good walk around. It is probably 25 years since we visited here.The village of Thorpeness was planned around a specially dug shallow lake called the Meare, which is now a safe location for boating activities.

The village Green

The coast is 2 minutes away and consists mainly of sand dunes above a shingle beach

The Meare

A few houses in the same road showing different styles

A rather different front garden

Known as the House-in-the -Clouds

Originally a water tower but now a holiday rental

Sign on the front gate

This 1803 Mill once pumped water to the house-in-the-clouds

We have now left Thorpeness and are on our way to Dunwich but have decided to stop at the ruins of Leiston Abbey which we pass on the road. The abbey was originally founded in 1183 at nearby Minsmere, but in 1363 it was rebuilt on its present site. A substantial amount remains, including parts of the transepts, presbytery and lady chapel. Inside the ruins there is a Georgian house which is now used for religious retreats.

We have now arrived at Dunwich, further up the coast from Aldeburgh and looking South it could be the ends of the earth. This stretch of the Suffolk coast has been at the mercy of the winds and tides for many centuries and Dunwich has now been all but destroyed by storms and coastal erosion. Once it was the seat of Saxon kings and a prosperous port, but today Dunwich consists only of a few cottages and a shingle beach where fishermen draw up their boats.

Numerous churches and houses now lie beneath the sea and in 1739 the town centre finally collapsed leaving only the ruins of a Franciscan friary still standing. It is said that when storms are approaching the bells of the submerged church can be heard ringing beneath the sea.

Looking North

This is where we had afternoon tea in a garden centre a few minutes from the coast

We had been told by friends that this place served the best home made cakes

We were not disappointed

Whilst driving down a country lane on our way back I saw some kind of image on the other side of the hedge. Ever curious and with my camera in my hand I went to investigate while Alan sat in the car with the lights flashing as it was a narrow road and near to a bend. This is what I found. A sculptor who made all kinds of images to order.

Well it's back to the hotel now for a shower and evening meal and we will see what tomorrow brings.