Ipswich and Aldeburgh

Picking up our rental car from Lleytonstone, an outer suburb of London, we had to quickly orientate ourselves with English traffic. Britain is probably the world capital of round-a-bouts and nobody obeys the speed limit, despite the presence of speed cameras on virtually every corner. We were thankful though that we were once again in a country that drives on the correct side of the road (left) and within an hour or so I (Nat) felt comfortable enough in the driver's seat.

Our next stop after London was Ipswich where our friends Laura and Kelly live. Ipswich is on the east side of England, East Anglia and is a quaint town with a nice big mansion in the middle of a nice big park as the main attraction. We stayed with Laura and her boyfriend James for 3 days and they took us to some amazing places.

On the first night we went for good old fashion British fish and chips in Aldeburgh, a neighbouring seaside town. The fish and chip shop we went to has been voted the best in the area, and it certainly was amazing, although there was a huge line we had to wait in for about half an hour! Nat and I ordered some fish, with scampi, chips and even mushy peas! We had to try the infamous mushy peas...which were just that mushy peas. Maybe we won't be ordering them again!




The line outside the fish and chip shop in Aldeburgh.



Aldeburgh was exactly what we expected of English seaside towns! It was absolutley beautiful.



Sitting on the pebbly beach eating our amazing fish and chips!



A close up of the fish and chips, scampi and mushy peas!



We couldn't understand how people would sunbathe on such a pebbly beach, surely the pebbles would dig into one's back.



A very old pub, about 600 years old! Nat is drinking what is apparently an old man's drink - warm English ale!


Outside Cross Keys Inn


While we were sitting in this pub having some ales and ciders after our fish and chips some Morris dancers came jingling their way into the pub. It sounded like Santa Claus had arrived. But no, it was just middle-age men, dressed in Morris dancing outfits, with bells on their ankles and flowers on their hats! It was quite a strange cultural experience.



Our little car we hired to drive around the country which we named "Henry the 9th of Lleytonstone", or just Henry for short. In the background is Laura's house.



Walking around Ipswich with Laura and her Dad's dog Barney!



The old Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich.

We were lucky enough on our second night to meet some of Laura's family and friends. Laura just happened to be having a BBQ at her place and we were treated to fine English sausage amongst many other mouth-tinging goodies. In England, you can never really say you're definitely going to have a BBQ because it just might rain. Therefore, any invitation to a BBQ is tentative!


Nat James (Laura's boyfriend) who is cooking a BBQ in the British way! With coals and a small little round thing. We weren't too sure how this would all work but James did an amazing job and the food was cooked and tasted great! Although I think that gas BBQ's are much easier to use!



The docks of Ipswich



The markets in Ipswich.

After experiencing a taste of this good old English town, we bid Laura farewell and drove off on a massive road-trip to explore the rest of Britain.

For more photos of Aldeburgh and Ipswich, visit:-
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=48345&l=49c4f&id=681501850