The day before the Suffolk workshop we had travelled to Felixstowe via the North Essex.
On the day we had an early start to get to Bawdsley Quay for Steve’s “Hidden Suffolk Coast” workshop. It was a good job that we left early as we ran into a large traffic jam on the A12. Using the sat-nav we took a wide diversion off the A12 onto small country roads until we could finally get back onto our route to the Quay.
Bawdsley Quay
We were not the last to arrive at the meeting point. to get to the groynes we followed the coastline and then set up on the shingle beach as the tide came in. Steve gave us a simple and clear explanation on how to expose using filters. He lent me one of his stronger filters anto us.
Working back to the car park we passed this WW2 pill box.
And this fisherman.
We had decided that despite all the issues after the lockdowns we would car share with Steve rather than the alternative of following his car in ours. Almost all of the group’s camera bags went into the roof box which left lots of room inside the for the group of us.
The quay is in Justin’s book on page 324 and Harry’s book on page 14.
Shingle Street
Our next location was Shingle Street. Steve parked on the road by the row of coastguard cottages. One up the short path we were presented with an amazing sight. In both directions a shingle beach stretched as far as we could see. In the distance in front of us we could see the sea and in between a lots of shingle. Storms and tide moved the shingles causing an ever changing scene. Our challenge here was to use leading lines to take us off the beach to either the coastguard cottages or the solitary cottage further down the beach.
We were not alone on the beach. As we set up further down the beach more ladies arrived and (remarkably) went into the largest “pond”. We chatted to some of the ladies later in the day and learnt this was a local swimming club… Brrrr!
We moved back up the beach to be closer to the coastguard cottages.
Visitors to the beach in the past had added white stones and shells to a man-made “line”. This was a leading line to the coastguard cottages. We practiced using it for a while being careful to replace an disturbed stones or shells.
Single Beach is in Justin’s book on page 318 and Harry’s book on page 22.
Back at the car it was time for lunch before we left for the next location.
Orford
In the car park at Orford we could see a bus at the far side converted into a mobile vaccination clinic. For us it was only a short walk to reach the muddy path alongside the sea.
It was rather steep getting from the mud back onto the path.
While we were taking pictures the path was very busy with walkers and dog walkers. One memorable moment was when we were challenged not to damage any of the fauna while we were “trampling” around on the banks.
Orford Ness
From the bank we could see the shingle beach that is Orford Ness. We could see the remains of the Cold War testing site – still on my bucket list for another visit to Suffolk in the future.
As we were getting into Steve’s car to leave we were approached and offerred Covid booster jabs in the NHS vaccination bus in car park.
Orford is in Justin’s book on page 304 and Harry’s book on page 26.
In the wood
Our final location was in a wood where we were challenged to find leading lines and then fianlly some fun playing with intentional camera movement.
The Alex for Dinner
We had been impressed by The Alex on the previous evening that we went back there for dinner. The restaurant was very busy and we were seated on a high table at the back which gave us a great view of the rest of the restaurant.
After dinner we walked back on the shore side of the road and watched fisherman on the beach before heading back to the hotel.
The Alex Cafe Bar & Brasserie on TripAdvisor
THE place to eat in Felixstowe The service at The Alex was excellent, everyone who we spoke to were friendly and our food was delivered by the hands-on manager. The place was buzzing and our food came quickly and was great value and even more important tasted great. We chose to sit at high stool table so we could be more separated from the other diners.
On the next day we made more calls at recommended photo locations in Essex.