Michaela on tour – week one

Well it’s finally arrived, I (Michaela) have retired! As of Friday 29 November I am now a lady of leisure and doing final preparations before starting out on our travels to South East Asia. Phil doesn’t retire until 20th December so in the meantime I am on tour spending quality time with family in various parts of England.

So while Phil is busy finishing up at work I am on the first part of my tour, in Lowestoft with my Mum and will be out and about in Suffolk and Norfolk for a few days. 

Today we visit Beccles, a small market town just 7 miles inland from Lowestoft nestled in the beautiful Waveney valley and set around the river Waveney.

A Landmark of Beccles is the bell tower built in 1515 and 97 feet tall. During the summer you can climb the 122 steps to the roof for fantastic views of up to 20 miles across the rolling countryside and southern broads but today we can just admire it towering above against the blue winter sky.

Once a busy Saxon sea port and later home to Catherine Suckling who was the mother to England’s greatest naval hero, Lord Horatio Nelson!

Today we are also visiting “The Cut” an arts centre in Beccles. Mum (Norma Read) up and coming Suffolk artist has a number of works displayed in an exhibition here at the moment. Take a look at some of her work here at www.pastelsbynormakread.com

We later move on to the pretty market town of Halesworth. This small Suffolk town has significant family history, my great grandparents lived in the neighbouring countryside and although I only have vague memories of them I can imagine them wandering these quaint streets going about everyday life in a bygone era in this English Country village.

One thing closer to my heart is that right here, in Halesworth in the Angel Inn, a coaching house still open today, is the place where my Nan celebrated VE Day (Victory in Europe) on 8 May 1945. Sadly my Nan passed away last year at the age of 95, I miss her very much and wish she was here to share this time with me.

So, reminiscing done for today we head home, I spend a wonderful evening of wine and laughter with mum and our close friend Val, a fun evening, a perfect day.