Friday

 Good morning, everyone!  Here I am, comfortable and cosy in my Premier Inn room, having enjoyed a good night's sleep which I'm happy about as I don't usually sleep so well first night in a different bed.  Say what you will about Premier Inns, their beds and pillows are top notch.

The drive up yesterday afternoon was pretty good.  There was more traffic that I had expected and a few hold-ups for traffic lights/road repairs but, thank goodness, no diversions and, apart from the already mentioned, no hold-ups.  I suppose the A12/A14 might be quicker but going up the A131/A134 is a very pretty route, going through villages and a couple of towns, Halstead and Sudbury.

To my dismay, when I got here I found they had given me exactly the same room as last time.  You won't remember but this room had a problem with a leak somewhere in the bathroom, obviously long standing, and the room smelled horrible.  The next day I complained and they moved me immediately.  However, they have fixed whatever the problem was, the smell has gone and it's all fine.  It's a typical PI room with the same furniture you find anywhere, plenty of space and a bath.  I do love a good baths!

After unpacking, I went for a stroll through the cemetery and along into town, doing some window shopping along the way.  There's quite a lot of what you might call 'arty' shops and in one I bought some room spray (just in case!!) which is lovely, obviously not commercially produced in large amounts and with a really good glass pump spray bottle what has a screw top so can be reused.  I like that very much.

I also spent some time in Seasalt, a favourite shop, and was sorely tempted by a lovely dress that reminded me of Laura Ashley in my younger days.

I've lifted this from their site!

I tried it on and the top fits beautifully - cross overs often don't but this works with what the fashion world would call 'outsize' and what the rest of us would call an normal sized chest!

I may very well go back and have another look today!

I stopped outside the 'Really Rather Good' coffee shop (I love that name) where I met the lovely Sue C last time I was here.  It was just pre pandemic and little did we know . . . 

, , ,  and took a couple of snaps, one of the old Abbey Gate . . .

. . . and one just to the right.

Today, after a leisurely start to the day over breakfast, I plan to explore the Abbey gardens, the ruins, the two churches - St Mary's and the Cathedral - and the shops.  In the afternoon, I'd like to visit the Moyse's Hall Museum.  I might have lunch in the Pilgrim's Kitchen which is linked to the Cathedral.  However, first of all, I'm going to visit the Cathedral shop to get some information about the churches and the old Abbey ruins which looks amazing.  They don't seem to have any info-boards on site which is a bit of a shame as there seems to be such a lot to see and I'd like to know what everything is.

I feel very idle, sitting up in bed, laptop on my knee, coffee to ones side, knowing there's no dishwasher to unload, no washing to do, not tidying or cleaning awaiting my attention, just a nice, lazy day, strolling around, enjoying myself.  Lovely!

You have a lovely day too - do you have any special Easter plans?  Take care and stay safe.  xx