Boats, Bands, Samba & Sunshine

Good afternoon.

Hope you had a good weekend? We were so lucky here in Suffolk - extremely good weather on Saturday and not to bad on Sunday - both days were dry and warm enough not to have to wear a coat :)

Saturday afternoon saw me heading to Woodbridge with MrVV. He'd been asked to play with another brass band as they were short of a tuba player. I went along too as I rather like Woodbridge.

The event was to celebrate 1000 years of Maritime history in Woodbridge and was based along the river-front. Lots of stalls and lots of people - best of all - blue skies and sunshine :)

 

The view across the river to the Tide Mill

Such a pretty spot - lots to watch - rowers, small boats and lots of ducks.

 As part of the celebrations there was a re-enactment of 'something' - sorry I wasn't really paying attention. These 18th century soldiers had a camp set up and plenty of people were wandering around chatting to them and learning stuff - me? I found a spot in the sunshine and sat listening to the band, having an ice-cream and reading a book!

Sunday was another band - this time with the normal band - both MrVV & Little Son were involved. A family favourite - a trip to Henham Steam Rally - we've been here so many times with the boys and both love it. So much so that BigSon even came out of his lair for the day!! Whilst the two brass players played - we walked miles around the site several times - finding things we both wanted to see.

 BigSon managed to squeeze himself into this little electric Renault Twizzy - amazingly he could fit himself into the back seat too. Not sure its the most practical of cars - no idea where your shopping is supposed to go!!

 A proper Romany Vardoe - beautifully painted.

 Lots of lovely classic and beautifully restored cars to see - I of course was attracted to something less 'classic' this little Fiat had been given a makeover - complete with ladybird spots, false eyelashes and a clockwork handle on the back which turns when the engine is running!!

 Inside was equally as wacky - fake grass on the parcel shelf and a collection of small toys having a picnic!!

 We heard the samba band before we could see them - very colourful - just a shame they had no dancers with them.

This gorgeous vintage caravan caught my eye. Restored to its former glory by a lovely couple who were happy for me to have a good look around and take photos.

After all the playing was done - it was time for a quick trip to the vintage funfair. BigSon terrified another band member on the big wheel - she was squealing at him to stop rocking the seat so much - rotten boy ;) LittleSon and MrVV went on together;

 Seems that teenage facebook pose is catching on with the older generation ;)

Like father, like son - manic grins all round!

A lovely day out - ended off with a takeaway for dinner and then a glass of wine and Downton Abbey :)

See you soon

Brass & Steam

Good afternoon

Happy April :)

Right so a 1/4 of 2012 has gone already - I really must stop blinking!!

Saturday saw the first brass engagement of the year for MrVV and Little Son. The re-opening after a winter rest of the museum in our little town. This is always the first event of the season for the band and one they look forward too. Uniforms are found from the back of cupboards, shoes polished and lips get limbered up for playing.

They play in one of the old factories - with the high ceilings the sound travels well and sounds great. A few years ago they recording a CD in here - a very cold February weekend that was.

Our little town's history is mainly based around Garretts and the factories. Many of the houses were built for the workers and managers at the factory. The museum tells the story of the Garretts factory but also other local events - the WWII airfield, the building of the Power Station at Sizewell and it also has a wonderful collection of old photos and postcards which I could happily spend hours looking at.

I braved the staircase so I could get above the band to take photos - MrVV had asked for some for the band website and blog page. Getting up there was easy - getting down again less so - I'm still not great at stairs and lots of holding on tight was needed (the staircase is very steep).

 The upper gallery - much of the building remains as it did when the factory was running. 

 The outside - I've said before that my Grandad (who once worked here) made the letters on the building.

As well as the band, of course there were steam engines. It gives the museum a chance to show their engines off - I am sure if you've ever been to a steam event in Suffolk/Norfolk you will have seen an engine from the Long Shop or one made by Garretts.

After the band had finished playing, they did what many workers who left the factory did 100 years ago - they headed to the pub across the road!!

This weekend saw the first sighting of something that's quite rare around here - the lesser spotted grass cutting husband - amazingly (1) we were able to get petrol for the lawnmower and (2) it started first time without the need for a hit or two with a hammer!!

Lastly for today, I'll leave you with my list of things to look forward to in April - perhaps having seen the forecast the sunny days might not happen this week but come back again soon (though today is lovely);

Day 1 of the school hols - so far so good. Both boys up by 10.30! One has even managed to make arrangements to see friends today - wonders will never cease!!

xxx Vicki xxx