Breakfast in Southwold
There is a northerly wind , gnawing at the cheek bones as we sit sipping Hot Chocolate at the beach side kiosk this morning. Northerly winds do bring cool breezes but in addition the bright sunshine makes for a quite tolerable weather conditions. Hot chocolate in one hand and a bacon sandwich in the other, we rested for breakfast after an early morning beach walk. Neither us, nor the hardy collection of sea swimmers joggers , cyclists or walkers and their dogs were deterred , but were resolute in ignoring the cold and enjoying the sunshine. It was so good to be outside and to feel alive again.
This was especially true of Helen , who within the last 24 hours had been to the hairdressers and found it liberating. I could see this in her smile, that smile that I had come to adore over the last 30 years was in full operation. My Mum used to say often “ you don’t have to be a millionaire to live like one ”. A great one for these sayings was Mum , she left us just over a year ago and I often reflect on what she left us. The list is long.
It was in this reflective state that I was transported back to school into a moment in time where Mrs Smurthwaite read to us the Aseop’s Fable ‘The North Wind and The Sun’. You know the one where The Wind and the Sun bet on which can force a man to remove a coat. I am 60 yrs old in two years time I seem to have more of these reflective moments but I haven’t thought about this Fable or in deed Mrs Smurthwaite for 45 years .
As I looked around at the brave collection of beach warriors, I recalled how the in the Fable went , a challenge between the sun and wind to see who was the stronger of course , was this a metaphor for the current crisis, the vaccine v the virus.
““Let us agree,” said the Sun, “that he is the stronger who can strip that Traveler of his cloak.””
If you don’t remember the fable it goes like this - With the first gust of wind the ends of the cloak whipped about the Traveler’s body. But he immediately wrapped it closely around him, and the harder the Wind blew, the tighter he held it to him. The North Wind tore angrily at the cloak, but all his efforts were in vain. We are tough are human beings , especially campers !. But give us the sun and we will definitely endure. In the fable the Sun began to shine. At first his beams were gentle, and in the pleasant warmth after the bitter cold of the North Wind, the Traveler unfastened his cloak and let it hang loosely from his shoulders. The Sun’s rays grew warmer and warmer. The man took off his cap and mopped his brow. At last he became so heated that he pulled off his cloak, and, to escape the blazing sunshine, threw himself down in the welcome shade of a tree by the roadside.
The moral of course is simple , we will endure the cool wind , enjoy the sunshine and be positive. The bacon roll and chocolate help.
“Gentleness and kind persuasion win where force and bluster fail.”
But back to Southwold , this cosmopolitan little outlet located in rural east Suffolk. It is affluent of course and has its share of wealthy second home owners , supporting a collection of fine independent shops. There is a particular quality gift shop which supplies Helen’s addiction to lighthouses, most of which are located in the bathrooms of our house, although recently she claimed to have seen a new one while passing. ‘I thought we had the set’ I retorted without expectation ! They are beautifully crafted and I share the love of lighthouses having photographed many of them.
The town also supports the Adnams Brewery, brewers of fine ales and now purveyors of fine wines through a shop in the town centre.
Southwold Lighthouse is a lighthouse operated by Trinity House in the centre of Southwold. It stands on the North Sea coast, acting as a warning light for shipping passing along the east coast and as a guide for vessels navigating to Southwold.
FACTS ABOUT SOUTHWOLD LIGHTHOUSE
It is 31 metres tall.
The first "lighthouse" in Southwold was a temporary beacon which was located on the beach opposite The Sail Loft, Ferry Road (The Dutch Barn).
The top is 36.6 metres above water (mean high point).
Prior to 1888, there was no lighthouse in Southwold.
The one that stands today was established to replace several lighthouses in Orford, that were destroyed by storm damage.
In 1938 it was electrified and thus, no longer required the services of a lighthouse keeper.
It became a Grade II listed building in 1971.
The lamp burns very brightly at 1,500 watts.
For more information click here https://www.sosouthwold.co.uk/luxury-holiday-cottages/about/iconic/southwold-lighthouse
Southwold Harbour
The Harbour is sheltered to the south of Southwold, on one side of the River Blyth. It is recorded in the Doomsday Book as a most prosperous fishing port in the 11th Century , with Herring fishing being the most prevalent until its incline post WW 11.
You can see from the image above the the two jetties where the rowed ferry transports passengers to Walberswick on the other side of the river, and in action below.
Southwold Pier
The pier was built in 1900 as a landing stage for steamships that brought tourists from London, Clacton and Great Yarmouth until the 1930s. It was 270 yards (250 m) in length and finished with a T-shaped end.
The landing stage of the pier was destroyed during a storm in 1934, with the T-shaped end being swept away. An addition to the pier of a concert hall and amusement arcade was made during 1937 at the shore end of the pier.
During the Second World War the pier had a section removed due to the fear of its use during an invasion. Further damage occurred from an impact with a mine. The pier was rebuilt after the war at a cost of £30000.
In 1960, a part of the pier pavilion was transformed into the Neptune Bar public house.
Parts of the pier were further restored during 1987 where additional work was carried out to both the theatre and function room. After the reconstruction the pier then reopened in December 1988
The most interesting aspect of the pier is the mechanical clock featured in the short video here https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/538563327
Southwold Beach Huts
The famous coloured Southwold beach huts run for over a mile , I know, I have run along the front and measured the distance with my trusty Garmin running watch. Most are individually named and sell for over £150,000 when they rarely come to market. If that’s too steep an approximate daily hire is £90 per day, more in peak session.
Dog Friendly ?
I have to finish sadly on something of a negative in that Southwold Beach cannot be described as dog friendly , an over abundance of signs remind everyone , if we actually needed reminding, that dogs are not allowed on the beach in front of the promenade, even on leads. The warning signs sit neatly in a collection of other displayed instructional signs , concerned with the prevention of cycling , vehicles, motorhomes, overnight parking, outdoor cooking etc etc . The council here I think have one of the most activate sign-writing departments , aspirational sign-writers take note , there is work here. So dogs are confined to a walk on the beach extremities, which is a shame and meant we didn’t go to Southwold everyday for breakfast. But rules are rules and we don’t pick and choose which we comply with but we do vote with our feet. There is a creeping regulation occurring in England it seems , where is the right to roam we see in Scotland we often ask. But Scotland is for another day.
We enjoyed our day in Southwold , we hope you do to.
Kindest regards
Helen and Martin
