With the house move on the horizon we had ummed and ahed quite a lot about holidays. We had already discounted the possibility of camping due to the amount of work involved, and two weeks in a cottage in Wales seemed excessive both in terms of traveling and cost. However we still wanted to do something to get away from reality so what could we do that was a) easy; b) not too far and c) cheap… Eventually what popped out of the internet was a couple of shepherd’s huts in Suffolk. Not any old shepherd’s huts of course, these were super duper glamping style huts on wheels. They were available from Monday until Friday which suited us fine and at a price which wasn’t going to break the bank, so we jumped at them, paid online and started getting ready...

Tuesday morning broke bright and early. We didn’t as the alarm which had been set quite early failed to go off. Oh well, we had all day, no stress. Eventually we set off about 11:30 for the two hour drive up the A12. All went really smoothly and we eventually arrived at about 2pm having had a fairly stress free amble thanks to the satnav keeping an eye on things.
The huts lived up to expectations, set in a large grassed area with trees around them they appeared idyllic little throwbacks to a simpler age, and though smaller than in our minds’ eyes they seemed to be just right for two people who knew each other quite well. We dumped our stuff and had lunch at the picnic table in the shade of the pear tree then Janie surpassingly decided she’d like to take advantage of our proximity to water… I decided that perhaps my bike might take me where I wanted to go and we arranged to meet down at the jetty, south of the ferry. I got there just before them and did some videoing while Janie and Emma swam. Lucy dipped a toe but wasn’t keen on the location… a rusty ladder down to a seaweed fringed muddy-looking river not her cup of tea for some reason. Having had one swim Janie then decided that perhaps a beach would be a better option. The one within striking distance was the shingle one at Shingle Street (or somewhere) so she and the girls set off in the car and I decided that the Suffolk Coastal Path would take me there in no time… well, was I in for a disappointment? The path went on for ages with bone jarring potholes and and abundance of stiles and fences to clamber over. Janie called to say they were at the beach and there were some white bungalows and houses nearby. I could see what I assumed were the same buildings in the far distance (I estimated three miles as the seagull flies) and I really started to question my ability to carry this thing through. Eventually I managed to get close enough to see cars and walkers heading up towards the beach and I figured I was minutes away from salvation. Of course I was wrong… between me and them was a wide, muddy ditch. The path veered to the right and I was heading in the opposite direction to what I'd expected. This went on for about half a mile and then I had a four-foot high kissing gate to negotiate. No way my bike was going to fit through without me dismantling it so again I had to lift it up above my head and struggle through. Having done that I was on the road and actually enjoyed the rest of the ride up to the car where I did take the bike to pieces and stashed it in the back of the car ready for the next stage of the journey… It was about 6pm. and Janie was just drying off… We set off in search of supplies and a fish supper. In my head both of these would be forthcoming at Offord, but by the time we got there they had given up waiting for us. We had a bit of a depressing amble around and eventually found a petrol station up the road from Snape where the man pointed us to the best fish and chips in England at Aldeburgh (although before we could go anywhere near them Janie needed facilities… we ended up at Church Farm caravan park where she managed to shimmy into the ladies.) After that it was plain sailing. Got the fish and chips, headed back to the huts, ate the fish and chips outside, then watched William and Mary inside before getting ready for bed… Don’t imagine tomorrow will be quite such a long entry.

Drove down to Orford
Lunch in the field by the carpark. Not feeling too great. Emma also tired
After lunch went down towards Aldeburgh then north to Thorpeness for a bit of paddling and an ice cream at the lake
Quick visit to Tesco for sausages etc.
Last episode of series two of William and Mary later on in our hut

Walk and picnic in the forest - bit of geocaching
Nick twanged his thigh
Later down to Orford quay for Janie to have quick dip
Then to village to pick up a pie and to King’s Head for a quick wifi fix where we met Jane from Epsom who seemed to be having a lovely time of it in her tent… jealous much?
In evening we watched another William and Mary then Page Eight with Bill Nighy (after Mapp and Lucia failed to hit the spot)

Leaving day. Have to be out by 11am (eventually stretch this to 11:30am as usual)
Drove down to Orford and visited the castle.
Picnic lunch in castle grounds
Pick up some stuff in village - tea towels etc.
Down to harbour for Janie to have quick swim
Back to village to post cards then head for home arriving at about 18:30