A weekend of memory jogging, this last one. Saturday dawned dry, bright, and surprisingly mild, so plans were made to travel further afield, in search of panoramic countryside vistas and scenic walking paths. Not having last visited since I was at school, Nik and I found ourselves at Framlingham. Best known for its twelve-towered mediaeval castle, the historic market town lies a few miles north west of Wickham Market. The block of apartments in which I live is named after the town too, so it seemed right that we visit.
A muddy circular walk through green fields and meadows brought us to the imposing fortress. Built in the late 1100s by Roger Bigod, the second Earl of Norfolk, Framlingham Castle still stands proudly over the town today. With hollow towers set in its 13-metre high curtain wall, it was besieged by King John in 1215, and was home to Mary Tudor in 1553. It has since changed hands many times, and a poorhouse, prison, and a school are just a few of its former lives.
A perfect day for taking pictures then, and surrounded by Framlingham Mere (an artificial lake set in marshland on its western side), the castle’s stone walls glinted in the slow-fading sun, painting our viewfinders a lovely late-afternoon orange. Stopping to chat and take in the views looking out across the gently rolling Suffolk countryside, fisherman’s pie and baked apples soon called us home.
An electrical gremlin, which was seemingly trying to literally trap us in Nik’s car, necessitated an early wake-up call, and saw us both head down to Essex separately on Sunday morning. We made our birthday-celebrating lunchtime appointment though, and the rest of the day was spent eating birthday cake and blancmange, playing games, and generally having thoroughly enjoyable fun.
I learnt ‘Newmarket’ once again; a family card game which used to be a Christmas and New Year staple when I was young. ‘Betting’ with pennies on one of four horses and laying down cards in numerical sequence, it was surprising how much I remembered. I did make one slip-up; a moment of non-concentration saw a winning ‘horse’ stay in my hand, and the mounting jackpot go to a much more deserving winner.
Bugger.
All in all, a fun and relaxing couple of days. And, I’m glad spring is just around the corner; I’m really enjoying getting out and about.
