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Wednesday 27 September – Porto

We had been thinking of this a couple of weeks ago but we’re a bit worried about heatwaves. So here we are in Porto for a few days before hiring a car and heading off .

All really smooth, and Stansted in midweek end of September is much nicer than in the peak holiday season.

Arrived in the apartment before 2.00

with a great terrace right on the edge of the old town.

Bit hilly, but we were expecting that. So had a lovely wander by the river.

Lots of English spoken, which will probably change when we head off next week.

And a bit of art?

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A National Trust Holiday

Thanks, mum! 5 properties in 4 days, and a NT lunch every day.

Started at Bexhill ‘cus we liked it.

Nymans

Remembered that as visited just before lockdown in March 2020 – in fact the cafe closed that day.

And the house was open this time.

Gardens looking good.

Short and sweet, but great.

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Tuesday

House ok, but parking a bit of a nightmare – doesn’t look it in the photo but it was.

Anyway, another good day.

Pett Level

On a clear day you can see Dungeness Nuclear Power Station.

… but such bad coffee.

Bodiam

Real essence of castle. Getting lots of flashbacks to COVID again.

Bexhill

A real find – helps that it’s looking its best.

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Monday 11 September

And what a great way to spend a Monday.

My early morning foray took me to Pett Level – about an hour’s walk and only a few minutes in the car. So a good place to spend a few hours.

Sissinghurst

An old favourite. Last time we were here was during COVID, and significantly busier now but still fantastic. A bit hot still.

Rye

Another old favourite, including Lamb’s House which has previously been closed.

Evening walk on the beach – what’s not to like!

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Another Short Break

Whilst suffering/enjoying the September heatwave, we decided to head to the South Coast for a few days.

Stopped at Knole on the way, which is becoming a bit of a tradition but well worth it.

Last came here in August 2021 when we were beginning to escape from COVID. Felt much freer this time.

But it was sooooo hot all we could do was enjoy the shade.

Ventured to Hastings in the evening which was a bit depressing. Beach was fine though.

View from dinner at a reasonable Italian.

Wasn’t quite like that as lots of cars, but it was cooler outside and I really liked the pic!

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Last Day

Cloudy but still great.

Although not a patch on Iceland…

Stopping off to see Ralph, Frida and Sam on way home (plus new additions )

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Thursday Walberswick

Just great!

Followed by Aldeburgh fish and chips with the whole family, and then a further introduction to Yaniv (check Google).

Hmmm

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August Aldeburgh

It’s August Bank Holiday, when Shelagh and Alan and family have their week in Thorpeness, and here we are visiting again. Staying in a nice little cottage just outside Saxmundham.

Usual views …

Plus a bonus from our foreign correspondent (Iceland this time).

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And Again …

Something new to me was an AirBNB for cars, so we hired one for the day.

It’s simply people putting their own car on the site and you rent by the hour, which was great.

Aarhus is definitely becoming significantly less car-friendly since Jo arrived. Just about every journey in and around town should be (and is) bike or walking. And everyone is still extremely well behaved.

Anyway, had a lovely day out and about.

And the food has been excellent throughout. With a particular shout out to Jumbo – one of the best bakeries.

Not surprisingly a bread roll (think the best rye or sourdough) and butter (think whipped double cream) with a slice of cheese is a popular breakfast.

But a bit of a sad ending just as we were on the Marina a woman had a really bad fall from a boat onto the concrete which we all heard but Jo actually saw. Fortunately we heard later that although she had really bad injuries she is likely to make a full recovery. Really shook us up.