Oct 1 - Thorpeness - Leiston - Aldeburgh

 We start the day a little later than usual with a leisurely breakfast at the Crows Nest ( our harbourside loft accommodation ).

On the itinerary today are Thorpeness, Leiston Abbey Ruins, and Aldeburgh....all locations that K&A have cycled to in past years and are also Alex's childhood mini vacation destinations, when his family lived in Seaford.

Thorpeness hosts a "purpose built" seaside holiday cottage village established in the 1920's. One feature is a converted Victorian water tower into the House in the Clouds!

We break for lunch at the delightful Kitchen at Thorpeness.

Leiston Abbey Ruins
In about 1363 the abbey was moved away from what was evidently a rather unhealthy location on swampy ground, and rebuilt on its present site. The old abbey was dismantled for building materials (though a fragment of it can still be seen) and as a result the 14th century abbey incorporates some Norman features.

Robert de Ufford, Earl of Suffolk, oversaw the rebuilding of the abbey on a much larger scale than the original and included several new chapels.

The outside walls were finished with fine chequerwork, while the windows had delicate Perpendicular-style tracery. The abbey was home to Augustinian canons who followed the Premonstratensian rule. Their domestic buildings were damaged by fire in the 1380s and rebuilt.

After the suppression the king bestowed the abbey on his brother-in-law Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. A farmhouse was built into the corner of the nave and north transept and the abbey ruins were used as farm buildings, the church itself being used as a barn.

A new front was added to the house in the Georgian period and it is currently owned by music school Pro Corda. The Lady Chapel was also restored and furnished in 1918.

Last stop of the day is Aldeburgh, a favorite destination of Alex's and is unchanged over the years - a charming seaside village - we have afternoon coffee here at yet another Two Magpies!