November in Southwold
Crisp bright mornings and long shadows on late autumn sunshine afternoons are the norm at this time of year. Perfect for dog walking, or just a stroll along the beach to walk off a late lunch…
Category: Further back
October brings more photographic opportunities
Although the days are drawing in, and the clocks go back at the end of the month, there are still plenty of delightful views available for the observant photographer near Mandalay in Southwold. The light at this time of year is always soft, and backgrounds of green change now to buffs and brown, and the[…]
Mandalay in yet more pictures
I suppose being right on the beach, with the town in the background, it shouldn’t be surprising that it figures so often in artists compositions, and here are yet three more that have turned up recently. The first one by Max Brimmell, is interesting for as it dates back to, I think, the 1960s, and[…]
September sunshine
What a summer it’s been, after a dreadful cold start to the year, everything is bone dry now in Southwold, and the sun seems to never stop shining. To be fair, it’s probably been like that in most of the country, the difference being that we’re by the sea, and they probably aren’t. It will[…]
Uggeshall Country teas
Definitely an event not to be missed and you need to starve yourself a bit before you go to make the most of it. On the last weekend of July, and the first weekend of August, this unique event has been taking place for the last 40 years or so. Set down a quiet country[…]
How about a nice gentle trip along the river Blyth from Blythburgh to Southwold?
The Coastal Voyager jetty in Southwold harbour is just a short stroll away from Mandalay, and on offer is a choice of hammering through the waves out at sea at top speed, or a more gentle cruise up the River Blyth to Blythburgh, tides permitting. The latter is the trip that we took, courtesy of[…]
Westleton garden trail
If you’re a gardener, three’s nothing better than being able to nose around someone else’s garden, as there is always something to learn, so the Westleton Garden Trail on Saturday 8th June was worth the short trip from Southwold. The curious thing this year was that many plants were a month behind, so some magnolias[…]
Southwold swim problems May 26th 2013
The annual Southwold Pier to Pub swim nearly went horribly wrong this year, when a late start meant that the swimmers found themselves swimming against a tide so strong that they were swept in the wrong direction, and many were trapped for as long as an hour and a half in extremely cold water, awaiting[…]
Southwold Lions Fete Bank Holiday Monday 27th May 2013
Blues skies all the way this year, and the Lions Fete on Southwold Common had everything to please the whole family. So much to see and do, from the marching Reydon Corps of Drums to the Dog Show and rolling Zorbs. Not to mention the Racing Pigs and Climbing Tower. Oh, and then there’s the[…]
New Southwold webcam
The unusual aspect of this webcam is that there are multiple views, and it is possible to “get control” of the camera and switch to different views. Once you have the picture on your screen, move the cursor up towards the right hand corner of the picture, and a drop-down men will appear. Select “Get[…]
Asparagus is here again!
No need now to buy asparagus that has travelled the world to get to Southwold, as there is plenty available from villages nearby. Take a car trip to Wrentham, no more than a couple of miles away, and you buy it in £2 bundles straight from the farm, and pop the money in an honesty[…]
Southwold shuttle-bus now available for Mandalay
After a few years where there has been no bus service down to the end of Ferry Road, due to a bus ban along the High Street, at last it is possible to hop on the new Southwold Shuttle Bus at the stop which is only 50 yards from Mandalay’s front door. What’s more, this[…]
WiFi now installed at Mandalay
After much thought and discussion with guests who use Mandalay, we have finally installed WiFi. The arguments for and against were evenly matched – some said they relished the opportunity to be uncontactable on holiday, whilst others reckoned they would be better able to run their businesses while still enjoying a holiday. Overall, we think[…]
OK, so I was wrong about the snow
In my blog yesterday, I confidently assumed that we had seen the last of the snow. How wrong can you be?
Sammy the Seagull with wonky leg still demanding attention
There have been various comments in the Visitors Book at Mandalay about a seagull, who for the sake of identity, we will call Sammy, who hangs around the cottage constantly, in the hopes that the occupants will chuck some bread out for him. The distinguishing feature of Sammy from the other gulls is that he[…]
Late snow delays Southwold spring
I knew that it was too good to be true; a few days of warmer weather does not mean Spring has arrived, particularly when the wind then swings round to the North-East and brings a dump of snow from Siberia and dumps it on the first available land-mass. Us. Hopefully, it won’t last long, and[…]
March comes and is spring on the way?
Blue skies and sun – could it be the start of Spring at last? Either way, it’s more than welcome after some cloudy cold days, and just the chance to go for a long walk in the sun is bliss.
WiFi or no WiFi
Ever since we have owned Mandalay, which is now 14 years, we have resisted the temptation to re-instate a telephone in the cottage, primarily because we felt that many people relished the prospect of being uncontactable during their precious holiday time. As years went by, mobile phones meant that the need for a telephone line[…]
Bedroom refurb
If you have stayed in the past at Mandalay, you will know that the bedroom nearest the sea has always been a cosy place to stay, and the sound of the waves can lull you to sleep, or gently rouse you in the mornings. We felt that the fabric needed some tidying up, and so[…]
January brings the snow
Christmas came and went without very much snow, but in reality, it was being saved for January, and as always, Southwold and Mandalay in the snow is really special. No need to also suffer the cold, as Mandalay is centrally heated, and has double glazing, so look out at the winter world in snug, comfortable,[…]
November in Southwold – special light
So many weekends late in the year are bright and clear, and the light levels over Southwold produce some wonderful photographic opportunities, or just the chance to enjoy enjoy the wonderful scenery.