GuinessTU

I have decided to invite the S2K community over to East Anglia for a day of driving along leafy countryside roads, through Rendelsham Forest and a chance to stop and explore historic Orford and a bite to eat at one of the several fine pubs within Orford, with the afternoon taken up with a drive to Aldeburgh and Southwold on the East coast before returning back to the start point just East of Ipswich (approximate distance for the drive – 105 miles - a GPS file of the route will be available to all, just pm me your email address).

**ROUTE NOW ADDED**

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&sadd...16&ie=UTF8&z=10

As we live a world away from humanity (Suffolk that is!) there are many hotels in and around Ipswich that you may wish to consider, if the distance you need to travel to get here is an issue;

http://www.booking.com/city/gb/ipswich.htm...CFRQ8lAodunNMZg

The meeting point will be at the Shepard and Dog Pub car park, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich IP10 0DF at 9.30am for a 10 am start. The route will take us north past Woodbridge and through Rendelsham forest (with the option to stop and take a walk through the forest) however please be aware to park close to the main walking areas will incur a cost of £3 for the privilege!).

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/rendlesham

We will then drive through the winding A and B roads towards our lunchtime destination of Orford, where you have the option to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds of Orford Castle, or for the lazy among us (myself included) can eat at one of the fantastic gastro pubs close to the castle itself.

http://www.orford.org.uk/

http://www.crownandcastle.co.uk/index.php

http://www.thekingsheadorford.co.uk/

After lunch, for those of you with the energy, there is the opportunity to enter Orford Castle and take in the history of this once Royal establishment.

"The unique polygonal tower keep of Orford Castle, stands beside the pretty town and former port which Henry II also developed here. The castle is remarkably intact allowing visitors to explore from the basement, through the lower and upper halls to the roof where there are magnificent views seaward to Orford Ness. Around the rooms is a maze of passages leading to the chapel, kitchen and other chambers in the turrets"

Cost;
Adults £5.30
Children £2.70
English Heritage members Free

After departing Orford, we head once again through the picturesque countryside and arrive at Southwold for a chance to take in the period seafront and historic pier (those of you who are Little Britain fans will recall the less than convincing Transvestites ‘Emily and Florence’ cycling down the promenade…yes that is indeed, Southwold seafront!)

http://www.urban75.org/photos/suffol...wold-pier.html

I estimate we will return to the start point around 4pm to allow people to get themselves home for a respectable time.

All told, I envisage a great day (weather permitting) of fast (and narrow) winding country lanes to get the ‘lead out’ of the S, combined with some scenic coastal towns and villages, together with the prospect of some excellent culinary delights and a small piece of culture, all I need now are the people!

So who’s interested in a slice of the Suffolk coast for the day?

Attendees;

GuinessTU
AE
Bokkie
NineBolts (maybe)
The Loon (maybe)
CHIPPO
Andy2000 & Snoozenav
US NFR S2K
S2K_Nut
GrittyShaker
mattxx +1
minvo
Tom08
senninha1994 (maybe)
MQ
Sazzy
gee-money
Warrens

AquilaEagle

Sign me up

GuinessTU

Will do Ian, however I made a school boy error with the dates, its the 28th NOT the 22th...I hope that still works for you?

AquilaEagle

Probably

NineBolts

I'll try and get up for this one. I can visit the parents and my sister on the same weekend. There's a few USAF people over in Mildenhall and Lakenheath that should get on this.

GuinessTU

Ok NB, name added

I would suspect there should be interest from the Mildenhall/Lakenheath guys

The Loon

Sounds like a good run - please put me down as a maybe.

GuinessTU

Done mate

Suzybee

I can't make it.....

CHIPPO

Were in, all of my most favorite places.

We can comment on the Crown and Castle as run by Ruth Watson the Hotel inspector, she also runs the Kings Head, could make some interesting observations.

The Wentworth in Aldborough is nice, very old fashioned