And now for something completely different. So healthy for both of us, a poitless exploration of a place, to take us outside of our everyday life, B’s wobbly with worry about throat health, mine forever catching up with events and far too much computer screen. B’s idea to meet in Beccles.
Beccles – the gateway to the broads – which is where we started, with dog walk on the green sward that separates the town from the busy trunk road, and skirt the river. 3 boats with liverpudlians holidaying, moored next to each other, their kids playing easily with the dogs. What a fab family thing to do.
We walked up the handsome merchant street of Ballygate, equiped with the knowledge that Gate was street. Many of the streets in the town centre have the suffix ‘gate’, for example, Ballygate, Smallgate and Blyburgate. This is derived from the Old Norse for ‘street’ and is similar to the modern Danish word gade. What is Perpendicular, asked B, challenging the base of my own knowledge. (a Gothic style in 1300-1500 England; characterized by vertical lines and a four-centered (Tudor) arch and fan vaulting. Tracery and mullPerpendicular was unique to the country: non in Europed
Pevsner having spent a day on the outside, dimissied the inside, which was opportune as all door were locked. Discovered B;s unusal side field dislike of ukulele bands as one arrived to practice in the crypt.
Coffee at the Waveney Hotel, sitting on the banks of the Waveney, opposite where we met last year. Terrible coffee, countered by our easy conversing. Theme, quoting poems. Burns and Donne offered. (met Sarah and Annie there, also enjoying the spring sun)
Walking through the town, I see many shops I once recalled closed. Bailys open, and we met the new owner, a delightful woman. Upstairs a very tasty lasagna (pumped into Umi) and continuation of exploration. B in his 20’s, halcyon days, lunch time theatre where he met Sarah, grown up job at Which learning his trade of words and editing. Living Nottinghill, moving around London, their first and second daughter.
We attempted to fiind the railway cafe, but bumping into Ash, was recommended the Old School, with an excellent cup of tea. Finished with final dog walk, sitting on a bench along the Waveney
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