Aldeburgh, Suffolk

In a last minute flurry of activity we booked a small cottage in Suffolk for the long weekend just gone. And it was awesome. The town was cute, the cottage beyond our expectations, the sense of relaxation was just what we called for. The weather? Well. Pretty appalling actually. The first day was the text book example of an idyllic English summer day, but the two that followed were the more realistic illustrations. It rained and blew a gale non-stop. Which was unsurprising seeing as Dave and I are yet to go on a holiday together where the weather is not against us (seriously). But this poor weather was - in a way - a blessing as in my current sloth-like state, there is nothing more appealing to me than snuggling up in a cottage and watching movies. Dave braved taking Fred to the beach once or twice whilst I braved the comfiest bed I had ever slept in, a cup of tea and my book. We ventured out to the local shops where I wrestled with the touring nanas for a little wooden train set and had coffee and carrot cake in the cute local cafes. We had thought we would go out for dinner one night but the fabulousness of our cottage and the food we were able to source form the local shops made that seem the less appealing option. Below are a few photos (all taken on the nice day as we seemed to forget we had the camera the next two days).

Totally cute!!! 'Rosemary Cottage' was on the quiet main street about 50 yards down from the shops (with insufficient curtains, Fred was waking up at 6am each day - meaning that one unlucky parent was responsible for dashing this distance through the rain with Fred to retrieve coffee and croissants, whilst the other got a well deserved sleep-in.... The unlucky parent being me on both days, of course! The morning Dave got up with Fred, he was unable to function above pressing play on the dvd player... till the point he could no longer keep his eyes open and crawled back into bed after enduring baby einstein 'world animals' three times. Bless.)

Yummmy cafe/grocery store where we bought spinich and asparagus. And a hot chocolate. We came to the conclusion that the area surrounding Adelburgh must be the asparagus growing capital of the world as every second shop or farm had a sign hawking them. ANd dear god were they yummy!

Bookstore where Dave and Fred bought me a copy of 'The Black Prince' by Iris Murdoch... completely unaware that i was reading anothe rover her novels (the sea, the sea) in bed, at that moment!

In a town that boasted a number of fish and chip shops, this one just across the road from us was KING. At the alloted 'frying times' a line would form outside the shop, at least 30 people deep. Convinced they must do the greatest fishnchips known to man, Dave braved the weather to return home with parcels for the both of us one lunchtime.... Really shit chips. Nice fish.. if you avoided the greasiest batter ever created. We'll just put this one down to another example of the english being clueless.

Even comfier than it looks

Cutest (and best stocked) kitchen ever. I could have, and did, lick the counter-tops.

You know you are out of central London when you have a...backyard! And yes, the cricket was playing from the beautiful old radio on hte table there.

The other direction, looking towards the kitchen.

Another angle of the backyard... It's been a long time since we've had a patch of grass to release Fred onto.

Speaking of the monster - here he is! All edible and naked and ready for his bath.

The amount of water the splashed out of the sink during this awesomely fun bathtime soaked three handtowels!

Lucky I had an Arga (!!) to dry the towels next to. I've never cooked with one of these beasts before, and must admit to preferring the immediacy and certainty of gas/electric - but insofar as making the little kitchen toasty during those blustery days and heating the house all night long, it was awesome. Country living indeed.

Lamb from one of the local farms (in fact, all the meat and veg were local and we agreed by far a couple of the nicest dinners we've had in England) and rosemary... from the backyard (it's not called Rosemary Cottage for nothing people! THough they could have called it 'Rosemary and Lemon Thyme and Mint and Basil COttage, but doesn't quite have the same ring'

As you cna tell - LOVED this past weekend and getting the place for a rate cheaper than a hotel was an absolute find! Unfortunately it only had one bedroom and with Number Two due in July it's unlikely we will go there again :(