Had an interesting day wandering about old market towns and driving across the Southern Broads (Suffolk/Norfolk).
Impressive churches in Bury St Edmunds (Suffolk) – built out of/around the remains of a huge Bendictine Abbey. Noticed again lovely pale coloured houses, some half timbered homes and lots of different coloured entry doors. All characteristics seen in many of these towns. Guess the coloured doors give your row house a unique touch. Lovely rolling countryside on the way – green meadows and copses of trees in various autumn hues.
The Suffolk and Norfolk Broads have a common border in the Waveney Valley which we came through. Lots of rivers, canal areas and small lakes (broads) form a 200km waterland area with reserves, market towns and villages and numerous walking, hiking, fishing, nature watching and sailing opportunities.
The market town of Diss (Suffolk) became important with Flemish weavers and now best known for The Mere – a large 6 acre hole 6′ deep and with 40′ of mud – formed at end of ice-age when underlying chalk bedrock collapsed. Lots of wildlife visible on very choppy water as we enjoyed hot soup in the warm pub. Diss gets its’ name from the Anglo-Saxon Disce “ditch of standing water”. Diss is a Cittaslow town “slow town or city”where local distinctiveness is acknowledged and maintained and the quality of life is maintained. Cittaslow is a worldwide movement (new to me) which respects and supports local traditons and protects the environment. Sounds good.
Beccles (Suffolk) is also a medieval market town with streets still in much the same layout. St Michaels Church has a separate 97′ bell tower with clocks on 3 sides only – as the story goes the Suffolk people didn’t even want to give their Norfolk neighbours even the time of day! town also has a tiny 18th century octagonal Town Hall.
