Saffron Walden

Monday and we finally made it safe and sound after a very long trip, had a chance to catch some sleep on the way so we could hit the ground running. slight glitch waiting for one of our cases due to having all the tags ripped off during the trip.we had a chat on the plane about this being the first time we will land with no one to meet us when Surprise !! Sandra, Andy, Andrew, Richard, Riley and Lexie were waiting for us as we came out. Really cool to see them all. unfortunately it was only for a coffee and a catch up but we will get to then in time. as we headed off to collect the rental car all i could hear was Kim Brierley's words of (your not driving on the M25 car park on Bank Holiday Monday, are you nuts) well Kim  your full of it. I've seen more traffic heading to Hamilton on a work day or maybe we had been lucky.

The Church at Hoo

Jacqui's map reading skills were instantly put to test as we headed off to Bury St Edmunds and both Jacqui and I failed. we did eventually get to  the right place we just took the long way. and got to see some lovely Suffolk villages during the drive. Wow was our reaction to seeing our B&B, absolutely brilliant place to stay the first night, quiet country location. after a quick coffee a freshen up and away we headed to find the village of Hoo. we actually took a detour and went out to Trimley to visit the resting spots of family. unfortunately the spirits were not with us and we were unable to find their graves in what could be described as a work in progress with maintenance of the cemetery. so with that we headed back to find Hoo. and what a location, the village no longer exists and the church sits on land next to a farmers property. and yet it is still a working church complete with organ. again the spirits were not with us in the cemetery but after a little time for reflection on past family we moved on to find a pub to eat. What we found was The Ten Bells this was not a gastro pub, more a down to earth pub with not the best menu. an experience we will hope not to repeat during the trip although the Beer and Whiskey were good. back to the B&B and out like a light at 8.30 snoring by 8.35. looking forward to another adventure as we head to York.