EDitorial ± 30-Mar-2017

Light Lunches: The Shed, Sproughton

It's beautiful Bill Withers weather out there. Signs are bright for this, our first post Article 50 outing. Symbolically, Kev has left us to it today. Only me and Andy remain. Righty-tighty.

Once more over The Bridge and t'ain't no time at all until we're passing the Sproughton Community Shop. Up to The Wild Man and, after parking on the right, it's a left to The Shed, offering your antique, your vintage, your brocante. Flippin' mahoosive, it transpires, a real bunny warren, after we have to ask our way to the bit where you eat. Up the stairs, along, down the stairs, admiring the huge number of olde items up for grabs in every N&C, and here it is.

Quite the menu, they have, with lots of specials inc. a chicken and pasta bake, goat's cheese, et cetera. Bit too much for us today. We'll take a toasted sandwich each, SVP, one with mozzarella and pesto (yum), the other with Brie and bacon (scrum). In a microcosm of modern society, two dandies sit in the courtyard sun sipping Rio and devouring well-presented hot snacks while a worker man hacks away at some overgrown foliage. Quiet today but the nice young lady (NYL) says you can't move on other lunchtimes.

Briefly back to the NYL to choose from the generous selection of cakeage. Caramel & almond slice and a piece of marzipan fruit cake to share with another vg coffee. In a light lunch first, the Lotus biccies on the saucers each have two (count 'em) biscuits per pack. To be alive in 2017! To borrow that V&A slogan, this is an ace caff with a nice shop attached.

If it was a car -- Morris Minor 1000 Convertible.
If they were passing by -- Pavel Douglas.

EDitorial ± 26-Mar-2017

130Story: Gathered / Indian / Critical / Responses / Endless

The rules of 130Story are simple: given a random seed word, write a story in 130 characters.

Gathered

Indian

Critical

Responses

Endless

More to follow.

EDitorial ± 23-Mar-2017

Ipswich Lunches: CC's Sandwich Bar

Not unlike Ray Milland, I'm blind to all but a tenth of the universe. Or rather, it's me eyes, doc. Had a test, failed to spot the blinking white lights, got referred, then a trip to Moorfields, an MRI, etc. Doesn't remotely affect me except the constant banging into things. Didn't see that coming.

Seemed convenient, then, after a late morning 'ozzy appointment, to try and find a venue nearby. Cue CC's just off the Foxhall Road and Heath Road roundabout, that one with the year-round fireworks and the post office that doubles as a toy shop. Classy etched lettering on their window reads:

sandwiches | rolls | pies | crisps | sweets | drinks

Conveniently there's a table, thus qualifying CC's for a visit. Gotta be able to sit, you know. For the second week running, Kev and Andy have beaten me to it. Salad plates are being consumed. Freshly made tuna bap for me, thanks. Local bread, local produce, all rather lush. Bizarrely we're surrounded by Mother's Day items on all sides: it's a gift shopping extravaganza all this week, says the sign. Treat your mum!

Unlike us weirdos, folk are pulling up and popping off all the time with their savoury bagged items. They're on to a good thing. Good velvet cupcake and an excellent cuppa coffee to finish, and we're done. Point me home, chaps!

If it was a car -- Volkswagen CC.
If they were passing by -- Chevy Chase.

EDitorial ± 22-Mar-2017

TT1617, Defiants v. Manor B

Trying to catch up with postponed games, the scene is set for us to play another top-flight team who, unlike ourselves, are going up. Everyone's running late until everyone appears. Wulfs are on the other table, too, another team we won't be seeing for a while.

Once more we have the A-team of Ed, Natalie and Steve. Can we better our previous 3-7 defeat? Should be possible since Rosemary can't make it. Could be interesting since Morgan Freeman-alike Michael is taking her place, accompanied by stalwarts Des the steward and marketman Mick. In brief:

  • not Ed's night, 2-0 up before losing to Des then going steadily downhill in two other very poor losses
  • not Steve's night either, playing very well to take both Mick and Des to four ends before once again losing another five-ender to Michael
  • at least Natalie got a straightforward point against Michael and maybe should have beaten Mick too

Chance to double our points with a doubles win but fluffed that too, Ed and Natalie flattering to deceive. One lousy point and we were still there at 11pm. That, friends, why we're going down to the bottom.

EDitorial ± 20-Mar-2017

Crinkle-Crankle Walls in Suffolk, 90-99

(visit the list of crinkle-crankle walls in Suffolk and view the accompanying Google map)

— (90) Worlingham, The Walnuts —

(visited 19-Mar-2017)

Up in the Bungay area recently, I revisited the phenomenal 12 foot tall monster crinkle-crankle on Garden Lane in Worlingham. It's an absolute wonder, sitting there in the midst of a modern estate, an isolated relic.

Mr Google suggested it was previously part of the grounds at Worlingham Hall. Their village sign even depicts a long snake-like wall in the background. Hoping to see said sign on Sunday 19th March, it wasn't there! Taken away for spring cleaning, perhaps?

More non-Bing-ing uncovered another Rightmove house where "the garden is enclosed by a crinkle crankle wall." Part of a neighbourhood watch area, a local resident of The Walnuts eyed us with interest as we parked half on the kerb and took snaps of the six-foot wall. Clearly nowhere near as remarkable as its cousin in Garden Lane, it sprouts a not unattractive coping (like Old Station Road in Halesworth) and featured a colourful bunch of daffs in one of the inner parts.

— (91) Rickinghall, Broomhills —

(visited 27-Apr-2017)

Within half a mile of Sue's wall at Snape Hill House stands another listed wall at Broomhills, not quite as tall but in no way inferior. That's a rare Rickinghall pun, by the way. Official wording says it's early 19th century of red brick with:

Lengths of about 25 metres and about 10 metres. Two to three metres high with inner pilaster strips, triangulated coping.

Starting alongside the driveway, it snakes along the garden taking in an arched opening before making a 90 degree turn left. We didn't have the best weather to fully appreciate it but the flowers still stood out in the drizzle. Thanks enormously to owner Susan for taking time out for me and my Mum to view her L-shaped wonder.

— (92) Nacton, Broke Hall —

(visited 28-May-2017)

Way back in March 2016, James Bettley (he of Suffolk: East and Suffolk: West) dropped me a line:

Thought you'd like to know that I’ve spotted, on Google maps, a crinkle-crankle wall along the NE side of the walled garden at Broke Hall, Nacton

As other easier to access walls have been steadily ticked off, Broke Hall (see its very own Wikipedia entry), with its Repton-designed gardens and views over the Orwell, has remained aloof. Until now.

Andy, who's already come up trumps with Boyton, Melton and Debach, scoured some OS maps and identified a path just to the north of the hall. So for the first time since my trip to St Edmund's Road, it's me on my bike.

Sure enough, veering off the driveway that leads to a bunch of other nearby properties puts you within view of the infamous serpentine. That bird's eye view seems to show a well-tended walled garden. Can't get too close but that distant wavy wall's a good 'un, apparently authentically vintage (house itself is dated 1792) and a decent height to boot. It also drops down rather elegantly to meet an ornate wooden gate and sweeps round a corner to become perfectly straight on its south-east aspect. Must be quite the view from inside that garden.

— (93) Heveningham Hall —

(visited 08-Jul-2017)

Competing with Easton for the title of best known wobbly wall in Suffolk, the example at Heveningham Hall has proved elusive for the last 18 months. Look up "crinkle-crankle wall" in the book "A Glossary of Garden History" by Michael Symes and he names a single example, this one.

Could I sweet talk my way in for a private visit? No, I could not. Could I sneak around the back during the Christmas fair? No, I could not. I was, however, "very welcome to attend next year's Country Fair when the walled garden will be open to the public."

So, if this is July 2017, we must be sitting by the tea tent within Capability Brown's walled garden, sipping cold beverages and listening to the hospital band. Over there stands the magnificent 90m serpentine, apparently built in 1796 according to Dr Bettley. Climbing up those old bricks is the odd espaliered pear tree. Above us, meanwhile, are the RAF Falcons parachute display team. Quintessentially English.

— (94) Knodishall, Burch's Close —

(visited 18-Mar-2018)

Motoring along the B1069 on a bitterly cold March day, Eldest suddenly pointed to our right. Wall! Dedicated professional that I am, we didn't stop since all of us were hungry. On we carried to the splendid Kitchen at Thorpe Ness only to discover that their card system was down: cash only, please. Cue Dad driving solo to a find an ATM in a freezing Aldeburgh.

Bellies full, we returned and pulled over to Burch's Close in Knodishall. Attached to the far left house stands a wavy wall around twenty bricks tall, most likely built in the 80s or 90s. Swirly and slimline.

Spotter's badge to eagle-eyed Eldest who, lest we forget, wrote the original handwritten list.

— (95) Beccles, Ravensmere —

(visited 05-May-2018)

Idly searching on Twitter, I saw that someone had commented about there being six crinkle-crankle walls in Beccles. Hi, I said, I've seen the ones at Hungate Lane, Coney Hill, Puddingmoor, Gaol Lane and Richard Crampton Road. Do you know of any more?

Top man that he is, Simon Bond not only responded quickly but with photos of two further examples. And so it happened that after a perfectly lovely coffee and cake at Urban Jungle on the town's outskirts, me and Mama turned right out of Denmark Road into the lengthy Ravensmere. Opposite the Royal Oak we find a fresh sinewy red brick wall, not only crinkling and crankling but varying in height too. Simon's word is his Bond.

Feeling absolutely tip-top and walking back to the car, things went horribly Benedict Wong when I lost my balance and became unable to stand up. After much sweating and unpleasantness splayed out along the back of the car, G. drove me to A&E where I was diagnosed with labyrinthitis, an inner ear thing. Yuck.

— (96) Beccles, Fair Close —

(visited 14-May-2018)

Over a week since I was struck down with Beccles blight at Ravensmere, my loss of balance meant that I still couldn't walk in a straight line. Kind of appropriate when investigating serpentine walls, doncha think?

Nonetheless, having a further day off for my birthday, I suggested a return to Beccles. Rather nice lunch at rather nice Twyfords -- love the soda -- then a wavy walk (leaning heaving on G.) along Station Road with an abrupt turn into Fair Close.

Behold the second of Simon Bond's suggestions outside Minstead at 53a, a crinkle-crankle with gaps for both a driveway and a gate. Did more of it exist at one time?

— (97) Rumburgh, The Forge —

(visited 14-May-2018)

Still my birthday (hoorah!), back we headed after a successful ticking-off of Fair Close. Always in search of the road less travelled, we were zigzagging down through the many Elmhams and into a village I'd never previously encounted. Welcome to Rumburgh.

Slowing down opposite the village pub, the Rumburgh Buck, G. replayed Eldest's actions in Knodishall. She pointed out of the window. Wall!

No idea how the female members of my family see such things at speed but, needless to say, she was right. There, down a side road called The Forge, is a very regular curvy wall. Eighteen horizontal bricks, one vertical then four or five more on top with bushy bushes in the concavities. Makes me wonder just how many more examples there could be out there in the curious county of Suffolk.

— (98) Bruisyard, The Street —

(visited 03-Jun-2018)

Having used Rightmove to uncover specimens at Hollesley, Theberton and Halesworth, I moved on to (former WBA shirt sponsor) Zoopla and promptly found mention of "a fascinating spine wall built in a serpentine or crinkle-crankle fashion".

Thought we'd swing by Bruisyard on Sunday. Could just about see the wall behind the house and would most likely have been happy with that but sat in the driveway was a car. Knocked on the door and met Peter, the perfect host, who promptly escorted me and Ma to view his very own serpentine. This house was the former village store, ran by his parents and then by Peter. Although he's been here on and off since 1947, that wall predates him somewhat and is easily the oldest we've seen since Heveningham.

Previously part of a kitchen garden, this is a humdinger with regal curves and random cracks. Those birds, explained Peter, peck away at the lime mortar. When I ventured the other side to take a picture, Mum said she could see me walking back through the assorted holes. Thanks, Peter!

— (99) Sibton, Abbot's Lodge —

(visited 25-Aug-2018)

On 11th January 2016, Therese Coffey -- Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal and DEFRA minister -- tweeted me a link to this painting entitled:

Crinkle, Crankle Wall To The Vinyard At Sibton, Spring 1982

TC MP didn't know its exact location, Google was no help, then Andy and me tried and failed to find it. That was that until I thought to contact the artist himself, John Bawtree, "Suffolk landscape and architectural artist". John was most helpful and told me he did the painting in the early 1980s while staying in Sibton at a house named Abbot's Lodge.

Over two years later and we're here at last courtesy of current owner Mrs Curtis. Her daughter's standing in for her this sunny Saturday morning to speak to these two idiots with their point-and-shoot phones. One side of an attractive walled garden, it's a fine weathered example and clearly of an age with a doorway leading to the greenery beyond. Coping stones appear intact and that rough surface begs you to run your hand over it. Thanks to both the artist and the owner for leading us here.

EDitorial ± 19-Mar-2017

130Story: Holy / Suspicious / Trader / Wireless / Combat

The rules of 130Story are simple: given a random seed word, write a story in 130 characters.

Holy

Suspicious

Trader

Wireless

Combat

More to follow.

EDitorial ± 16-Mar-2017

Ipswich Lunches: Cargo Coffee

Spiffing March sunshine out there. Let's head to The 'Swich to take advantage of some outside seating On The Waterfront. Ain't worth me heading back to MH so may as well bike and meet the chaps there. Man, that wind catches your cargo shorts.

Blown by that same wind, six years have flown by since we were last here. What was Theta is now Cargo and, more significantly, what was University Campus Suffolk is now The University of Suffolk, natch. Andy's already dispatching the last chicken tikka soup with naan, which looked mighty fine, and Kev's on the curried parsnip. Final jacket potato has just sailed away towards Shotley. Guess I'll have a bland-sounding BBQ chicken panini. Not bad at all and just about worth the wait. Has to be a good thing that the Ginsters have been swept aside by far more fresh food plus sausage rolls, wedge and pizza slices. Would have liked a better range of soft drinks. That's one small fridge.

Haven't yet mentioned that we BBQ chickened out of the outside seating. Bit too breezy for the 50+ club. Still adjoining the cafe is the Waterfront Gallery, home to my "piece" back in 2011, and currently housing an exhibition entitled Simulacrum. Nice bit of culture, ain't it? Steady stream of students and staff seem happy enough. Quite a bit of choice around here these days with Coffeelink and Colours still going strong and the likes of Cult Cafe, Cafe Marina and Delice not far away.

No great shock to see that Cargo's coffee is Costa-branded. Shame that they're not supporting Coffeelink, all of 50m away. Hot, wet and reasonably strong, and more than fine with a slab of prepack carrot cake. Occupying another table are some callow youths promoting the upcoming student elections. Despite my babyface, I'm not eligibile to vote.

If it was a car -- (anything from Cargo Cars in Gorleston).
If they were passing by -- Anthony Agogo.

EDitorial ± 13-Mar-2017

TT1617, ISC B v. Defiants

Back in the land of Dick Jeeps and Natalie's agog at something hung on the wall of the Ladies Hockey Club on Tuddenham Road. That shirt, she says, was worn by Sandy Lister, my PE teacher. Emerges that Sandy (born 1961) was part of the women's hockey team that won bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Impressive.

Good news for us is that Steve's back from the dead. Well, not quite, but recovered enough after tumbling from two wheels. Returning from our previous encounter are chill Chris M and lefty Barry with new/old face Graham. In brief:

  • not Natalie's night, winning only one end with only the solace provided by a grapefruit San Pellegrino
  • not Steve's night either, taking Graham the distance but earning no points
  • Ed's night, just like last time, coming back from 9-5 down in the fifth to edge past Barry and bouncing back from an 11-0 4th game skunking to beat Graham

Doubles looked briefly promising before the usual capitulation. Nice of the ISC chaps to make us a cuppa. Cheers for the 8-2 defeat!

EDitorial ± 12-Mar-2017

130Story: Accepted / Analyst / Today / Unusual / Relative

The rules of 130Story are simple: given a random seed word, write a story in 130 characters.

Accepted

Analyst

Today

Unusual

Relative

More to follow.

EDitorial ± 9-Mar-2017

Light Lunches: John Hutton, Butcher, Earl Soham

Couple of Sundays back, was weaving through the Suffolk countryside with me Ma en route to 221B in Sheeranville. Despite staring long and hard at that route, took a wrong turn and pulled over in Earl Soham close to their crinkle-crankle wall. More photos, inevitably, then eyed a "coffee shop" sign over the road. Ooh.

Blackboard on the pavement outside John Hutton, Butcher spoke these irresistible words:

HOT Bacon Rolls:
Suffolk sweet pickle
Suffolk smoked back
Suffolk unsmoked back
Suffolk smokey streaky
B.L.T.

You would, wouldn't you? BLTs, if you please, with your best smoked back. Certainly sir, he said. Take a seat outside and I'll bring them out. Marvellous to grab a pew in front of the shop opposite the bowls club, admire the passing traffic (more than you'd think) and soak up some spring rays, That is some quality pig meat, best I've had since Woodbridge's Wild Strawberry.

Shop itself is, frankly, a thing of beauty. Presentation is ace with minted lamb, spatchcock chicken with lemon & ginger, and oh so many cheeses, plus all the king-of-the-deli names like Stokes, Leon's and Aspall. Plenty of passing trade while we finished our savouries and moved on to slices of fruit cake washed down with a fine cup of MorBeans coffee. Must make mention of the apples piled in bowls which act as centrepieces for the tables. Most original. Must we really go back to work?

If it was a car -- Bristol V8 Bullet.
If they were passing by -- Craig Gazey.

EDitorial ± 5-Mar-2017

130Story: Exposed / Multiple / Followed / Innovation / Note

The rules of 130Story are simple: given a random seed word, write a story in 130 characters.

Exposed

Multiple

Followed

Innovation

Note

More to follow.

EDitorial ± 3-Mar-2017

Comfort Break

(75 word short story published on Paragraph Planet on Friday 03-Mar-2017)

Surely they're having a laugh? Pay frozen, again? Outrageous.

Trooping out of the briefing, most of the disgruntled turn right. George and me head left.

In lieu of banknotes, says George, they've upgraded the blowers in the loo. Look, he says, and cups his hands under the blast to produce a piercing howl.

I'm all fingers and thumbs but then I nail it.

By the time we get both dryers caterwauling, we're laughing like loons.