Monday we set off in Van the Van, .to Southwold for a camping trip with Robin and Tessa  We drove a round about route as I wanted to stop off at Norwich Camping and Leisure store in Blofield.  This was a large camping shop, garden centre and farm shop.  I was incredulous at the size of the gas fired BBQs they stocked.  The designs were also fabulous with one which looked like an engine from a motor car.  We searched around and found a Kampa Air Pod canopy.  It allowed all the sides to be removed  for when the sun is out and the weather is hot.  It was a little bigger than the canopy Rosemary envisaged. We purchased this along with a collapsible table with integral cupboard which will be used for storage and cooking in the pod.

Off we set again onward to Great Yarmouth to purchase some fuel and goodies, We ate a picnic overlooking the grey North Sea at Gorleston-on-Sea. Back in Van the Van, we headed to Southwold.  Alas one of the crossings at Oulton Broad was closed, forcing us to redirect  to Lowestoft where we were caught in a traffic snarl-up for a longtime.  We arrived at Southwold long after Robin and Tessa.  Parked and then proceeded to erect the canopy.  I wasn’t sure it was a good idea, the wind was strong, but peer pressure and help from Robin soon had it installed and pegged down.  

That night we ate in Robin and Tessa’s van, a lovely fish stew with fish locally sourced at the harbour.  

That night the wind blew, the rain tipped it down and the canopy generally thrashed around, keeping me awake. Finally, it came off the rail connecting it to the van,  First job in the morning was to take it down and pack it away before the rain set in. Rosemary muttered on about how the whole point of a campervan was No More Soggy Tents. I ignored her.

The rest of the day was wet, very wet & windy, too.  We all walked along to the harbour eventually succumbing to the elements by sheltering in a cafe from where we sent Robin back to the campsite to get their car.  The harbour was really pleasant. No doubt, even better in sunshine. We drove the short distance to Southwold town which was absolutely drenched in rain, but I still managed to purchase a limited edition Fat Face top to add to my collection. Rosemary came away with two large silver-plated tablespoons for Van the Van. Supper eventually ended up as lunch in the Sail Loft, with asparagus & Tessa’s own artichokes for a post-snooze supper . Somehow we managed to have a preprandial drink at the Harbour Inn.

A short visit to Southwold, but we will definitely be back this year, hopefully with less inclement weather.  The harbour area looked interesting, and I must also do a brewery/distillery tour. These were sold out when we were there.