Spring 2022 (Part 3)

Our last few days on the Diamond Island were leisurely, the most energetic involved a bus out to Seaview on the Thursday & an easy 8 mile walk back via St Helen’s & across Brading Marsh. Always enjoy the views from the high common viewpoint stretching from the Culver monument over Sandown, Shanklin and on the hills above Ventnor.

Apart from the excitement of queuing for the ferry, this first day of July, behind a bus which hit a house & smashed its windows resulting in a pile of glass to negotiate to board the crossing back to Lymington was uneventful. Highlight of the day otherwise was the announcement of the completion of Derby takeover, out of administration finally. We decided to stay in Milford

again for a couple of days swallowing the obscene pricing now we’re in July. Cooler day, so we strolled down to the Gun at Keyhaven for a few pints sat indoors. Enjoyed sampling the excellent local MonkeyHouse brewery beers.

We didn’t realise the aforementioned price included a wake up call, the kids playground was the other side of the 10’ hedge blocking our evening sun, but not the delightful sound of kids yawping at 7:30 the next morning. Great.

Making the most of the day we walked our well trodden cliff top path to Mudeford, stopping for lunch at our usual bench Mrs H could have dropped her sock anywhere (as she did some blister management) but she chose to drop it into the dogs water. Then we walked she sockless along the beach before taking the bus back to Milford and The Wash House for a few refreshments where instead of thanking Kathy for table service she told her that she loved

her.

Sunday 3rd July we then zigzagged east to Southwold to fulfill a long term CS booking at a great little site at Reydon, about 30 mins easy walk in. Arrival was not promising as the first 4 of the 5 pitches were under trees with little chance of much sunshine in a week with a great forecast. We were fortunate to grab ourselves a private sunny spot at the end, and basked in all day sunshine for our 7 days. Shamelessly gloating as we sat enjoying evening beers in the setting sun as our neighbours went indoors. We did have to spread out to discourage any encroachment, and on 2 occasions hurriedly went back to the van as newbies arrived to turn the music up, pretend to loudly take an imaginary work phone call and let Daisy run loose.

Thoroughly enjoyed a week back in Southwold, the weather was great with lots of sunshine. Days consisted of leisurely walks, sometimes just a circuit into the town and I particularly enjoyed the short ferry to Wilberwick (which we later found the site owner used to row) and the more remote beach across the river; so did pooch, dogs allowed on here. Equally I really loved the boardwalk walks over the marshes & by the river as it was very quiet, lots of wildlife to watch. Could have happily sat for a while just watching, we tend not to though. Shame, we should. Government collapse followed by Boris Johnson’s resignation this week provided some entertainment though.

We’d not been here for probably 20 years, so nice to see it largely unchanged. We recreated a photo of the kids sitting on one of the cannons near the Green; Mrs H was a spoilsport though & refused to climb on it. We both enjoyed afternoon drinks outside the Lord Nelson or in the Tap Room courtyard of the Adnams brewery, never did manage to get a seat outside at scarce benches at the Sole Bay Inn though; as we did some 20 ish years ago

Overall a lovely 7 days and I’m sure we’ll be back to Southwold & the lovely Suffolk countryside someday, onto Cromer next for our last couple of days,it’ll be a contrast I’m sure.

Sunday 10th July we wended our way the 90 minute drive to Cromer on another hot sunny day, bagged ourselves an open spot with sun shining on us all day. The town, definitely downmarket from Southwold, was about a 20 minute pleasant cliff top walk and was understandably packed. A bit too busy for my liking so we just refreshed with an ice cream stop, before coming back to feet up and lager in the sunshine, as were plenty other people on site to be fair, so a nice atmosphere. Some excitement from news at home has flagged up some maintenance required when we get back to deal with some unwanted insects, causing some undue angst.

Last day was hot again, turning hazy later. Decided to avoid tuts and

disapproving looks by not taking Daisy out so sat in the sunny morning heat watching the entertainment provided by new arrivals. Huge Motorhome towing a small car trying to park on a slope next to caravan setting up. Lady driving the then uncoupled car for some reason best known to her doing laps of the site with the jockey wheel and a frame still attached to the front of the car like a shopping trolley castor, car/caravan then collided whilst the Motorhome gave up and drove across the site between pitches at speed. Caravan motor mover then got stuck, said caravan could then only spin on the spot. Took a group of us to help the poor exasperated chap move it, pitching next to us. We decided to evacuate so had a walk along the beach from East Runton along to Cromer. One happy pooch, she thoroughly enjoyed her wave jumping to cool off.

All in all a nice end to an unexpected 27 days away; next outing in a month and all we know is we’ve Eurotunnel booked but no idea if we’ll be headed to

Spain, Germany, France or Italy. Not a bad problem to have I suppose.