After our workshop in Suffolk with Steve Hedges on Friday 19th November 2021 we stayed in Felixstowe again before leaving for home the next day. On our way we stopped at a couple of our book’s recommended locations.
For the trip we had Justin Minns book on photographing East Anglia and Harry Wheeler-Brand’s guide to the East Anglia Coast. Harry’s book is only available direct from his website via this link.
Saturday 20th November 2021 – Premiere Inn, Felixstowe
The car park of the hotel was very busy when I looked out in the morning.
Premier Inn Felixstowe Town Centre hotel on TripAdvisor
Great place to stay
What a great welcome from Hayley after a long drive, quick check-in and able to book breakfast for the next day. The room was clean and the bed was extremely comfortable. Breakfast was a simple continental breakfast, no evening meals available due to staff shortages. Easy parking, short walk to restaurants and pubs as the hotel is very conveniently placed.I would have appreciated being able to open a window in the room rather than having to have nothing bit air conditioned air. (If a window opened I clearly failed that test!)
Covid comment: lots of hand sanitizer bottles around. I was uncomfortable at having to sit in the middle of the restaurant when side tables with screens were unoccupied especially with unmasked coughing guests squeezing by to get to the buffet
As above would have appreciated being able to have fresh air in the room
Saturday 20th November 2021 – Cobbold Point, Felixstowe
After an early breakfast and checking out we headed for the sea shore at Cobbold Point. This is described in Justin’s book on page 336 and in Harry’s on page 10.
The tide was out so our images of the sea defence were not going to be like those in our two books. We walked along the promenade until we reached steps and climbed down onto the beach. The wooden groynes looked interesting. To our surprise we were joined by swimmers who planned to swim up and down the beach (and it was cold for us fully dressed!)
We walked back to the sea defences known as Cobbold Point and spent quote some time trying to get images. This meant going amongst the concrete blocks as well as trying to get angles looking out to sea. On the horizon we could see the busy shipping lane that lead into the port at Felixstowe.
Next to the sea defences I spent time photographing these rocks.
Down the beach we could see even more swimmers braving the cold. The ones further out only visible by their tethered red warning bubbles attached to their backs. Between the groynes we came to this rusty outlet pipe.
Saturday 20th November 2021 – Orwell Bridge
After we left the A12 we headed for the viewpoint on the B1456. Parking was difficult as the cars already there were spaced out. I managed to squeeze in but with part of the car sticking out onto the road.
The bridge is described in Justin’s book on page 356 and in Harry’s on page 38.
We didn’t stay long, perhaps another visit when parking is easier would be a better idea!
Saturday 20th November 2021 – Pin Mills
To get to the hamlet meant driving down a narrow lane with only occasional passing places. We left the car in the pay and display and walked the rest of the way down to the River Orwell. To our left was a busy boatyard full of yachts and to our right the Tub & Oyster pub.
We turned left and followed the shoreline past the boat yard looking at the moored boats in front of us.
Walking back we noticed people sitting outside of the pub and we decided it was time for some more food as we had eaten so early in Felixstowe.
After our second breakfast we walked in front of the pub on the tarmacked road, turning right towards the first of the houseboats. We then followed the path past the other moored houseboats.
To our right the ground rose steeply covered in trees. To our left we passed houseboats in various states of condition. Owners were out on deck and one family were chopping up wood by the path.
After the last of the houseboats we came to the wrecked boats below us on the mud. The wrecked boats at Pin Mills are described in Justin’s book on page 350.
We went down the bank, climbed over the wooden fence and onto the mud.
It was low tide and we could get close to the boats. No tripods meant we were shooting hand held.
After 15 minutes or more of photographing the boats Steve noticed that I was now on a sandbank that had become an island – time to get back to the shore.
Back at the pub, the road was now flooded and we had no choice but to use the handily positioned ladder to climb into the car park.
The Butt and Oyster on TripAdvisor
Breakfast outside
I sat outside the pub and a ordered roll with bacon and a fried egg plus tea. Both were delivered by friendly staff and were excellent.
Next visit we’ll come for lunch!