Scallop And Grommet

Bob wanted to go to Aldeburgh and see Maggi Hambling’s sculpture “Scallop”, her memorial to Benjamin Britten [details here] He had never been to the Suffolk coast, and we do like to be beside the seaside, so we wrapped up well against the cold and set off.

It is a very striking piece of art- and the children there were enjoying climbing on it, and making music by rattling pebbles along it. The words cut into the top edge are from Britten’s opera ‘Peter Grimes’ 'I hear those voices that will not be drowned'

It was a good day for walking along the beach…

…and playing ‘Ducks and Drakes’

We walked into Aldeburgh, and stopped by the Moot hall [the old town meeting house, now Town Hall and Museum] so Bob could take a phone call [you can just see him sitting on the bench on the right]

After lunch in the Old Mill pub [very good pasties!] we walked along, window shopping.

  I have learned a new word today [my first new word this year!]

“GROMS”

Guys, and Gals, I knew already, but groms?? Apparently ‘grom’ is short for ‘grommet’, and refers to any young surfer under the age of 15.

Aldeburgh was full of yummy mummies, [the “Joules” shop was packed], but we found a great little secondhand bookshop [Reeds in Crabbe Street] wonderful for browsing. But no wool shops!

Then we walked back along the front, past the RNLI station, and the boats and the fresh fish shacks. And it started snowing!

A lovely day – but the snow continued as we drove back to Cornerstones, so now we are settled in for the evening, grateful for a warm place, a kettle, teabags and all the other comforts of home!