Off to Needham Market We Go!

It was our day to visit Cousin Ann and Arthur in Needham Market near Ipswich. Ann is the keeper of the family tree and has done a tremendous amount of work on the Lovegrove side of the family. We wouldn't know half of what we now know about Dad's family without her.

Busy Liverpool Street railway station...

This was sobering...

10:00 on the dot and our train was off; a change in Ipswich and on to Needham Market.

We made it! Ann had arranged for a taxi to pick us up and he peeled into the station just as we arrived.

Beautiful railway station, which originally opened in 1846. It's not presently in use and has a For Let sign in front.

With a quick stop at Ann's, our taxi driver was back to pick us all up to head to our favourite restaurant, The Highwayman.

The food is always wonderful...

David, the owner, pulling a pint for Arthur.

This local cider was nice and dry. Sometimes I know they almost choke when I ask for Strongbow, but I don't like a sweet cider. This was perfect.

Pam brought along Dad's hat for the visit! It looks like it's floating above her head.

I forget what kind of pie this was, probably steak. It was amazing and I think these were about the only vegetables we saw all week!

And a traditional English dessert called an Eton Mess. Strawberries, broken meringue and double whipped cream...it sounded too yummy to resist.

We were so full after lunch! 
 

 Beautiful roses outside the restaurant...

David giving us a farewell wave. Hope to be back another time!

Darren, our faithful taxi driver, was right on time and brought us to Needham Lake for a little walk about.

It takes about 20 minutes to walk around the lake...longer if you're us and admiring the geese and scenery.

They love their bread and are quite spoiled. Arthur held his hand out without any bread in it and got a nip for his troubles. So when this guy was heading my way, the video ended abruptly!

A momma and her babies...

It was a beautiful day to be out...

I always have to visit the "naked lady!"

View from the little bridge...

As you walk about the lake, there are strategically placed seats which showcase some carvings.

"This log was home to all kinds of creatures"...

The duckweed reminded me of our visit to a plantation in Charleston.

These little guys decided it was time for a walk...

Ann and Arthur...

The gang, minus Jim...

A mom and dad with their babies? I decided I wouldn't get too close as they are sometimes pretty territorial.

We spotted some swans from afar, but by the time we made it around to them, they had disappeared.

Toadstools in a field...

The path winds around behind the railway station...

Me Sissy and Trevor...

The moai having a meeting...

And back at the car park...we only waited a few minutes before driver Darren was back to get us. Great service!

We spent some time at Ann and Arthur's. Their backyard is lovely and they have many little bird friends who have become family. Demanding family, it seems! When they want their food, they want their food now!

Our first visit to Ann and Arthur was in 2007, two years after Dad passed away. Ann had written a letter to Mom, and we realized this was a link to someone who knew Dad when he was young. This was our fifth visit.

Beautiful flowers...

Jim waving...they have a great sunroom on the left side. When the doors are open, the birds come in and help themselves to treats from Arthur.

Pretty rose, complete with water droplets...

After exchanging some gifts (thanks for the little photo albums and the new information on Dad's mother), it was time to catch the train and head back to London. The day went by quickly, as it always does.

The view from the railway platform looking to the lake...

Pam had forgotten her coat, so Darren did a mad dash back to get it. That man was wonderful! Like many of the smaller stations, you go through a tunnel under the tracks to come up on the opposite platform for the returning train. Definitely not wheelchair friendly, but that has been the case in many of the London stations as well.

The train ride back to London. We were still full from lunch, but it was wine time!

Walking past a sushi restaurant on our way back to our flat. Everything is Harry and Meghan, except strangely, even though it was a couple of weeks after the wedding, we weren't seeing a lot of wedding souvenirs.

Back at the Minories for supper...don't forget to shout "train!" when one goes overhead.

I think Dad knows we're keeping in touch with his relatives...

Tomorrow, we're going to do our "free" cruise on the Thames...