Monday 3rd April 2023

Woke just before 0900, so had to roll out of bed and get downstairs for breakfast. Managed to smuggle Aki's birthday card, chocolate rabbit, and canned gin and tonic on to the breakfast table. Aki had eggs benedict, and I had eggs royale. Tasty enough. Packed up and checked out. Drove eastward. Wanted to stop at Framlingham to take a look at the castle, but roadworks had closed most the through routes, and we gave up and headed to Thorpeness instead. 

Parked up and had a brief walk on the pebbled
beach... it was very windy. Repaired to the antiques shop, and cafe, where we had our lunch. Took a turn round part of the boating lake, then drove southward to Aldeburgh. Checked in to the Brudenell Hotel on the south beach, and parked the car in their garaging, such as it is. Room on the third floor, with a sea view. Wandered up the High Street, and on to the north beach, where Maggi Hambling's "Scallop" (2003) sits looking out to sea, a tribute to the works of Benjamin Britten. Stopped in a little local hostelry for a beer on the way back to the hotel. Dined in their Bar and Grill, with a table overlooking the strand and an expanse of brown sea. Dinner was good...I had whitebait for starters, followed by sea bream in a bean and chorizo stew. Chocolate Marquise for dessert.