Only our second trip away with Bertie now, we choose this site because it is close to Southwold (about 5 miles) and we would like to go and visit there and surrounding areas like Dunwich on the bikes. I decided to take the hybrid, maybe there was some ‘off-road’ that I couldn’t manage on the road bikes.
The Haw Wood Farm site was spotless, huge big showers and friendly staff took care of us.
We had booked a distillery tour at Adnams, something inside under cover in case the weather wasn’t too good!
By dumb luck, the OVO women’s tour finishes in Southwold on the same day as our tour, so we rearrange the visit from 13.30 to 11.30 so we can watch the women finish at 2pm.
The people pitched up next to us turned up 30 minutes after us and plan to stay for 2 weeks! They are also keen cyclists and they go out each day on a custom built tandem.
We found out on this trip that we need an awning to give us more space, I was ‘working from motorhome’ so I did use up a lot of the indoor space. But still it became apparent that when the weather turns a bit chilly or wet, we’d need that extra space outside under cover because the two of us in the living area was a bit confined for long periods.
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Monday, here we are just arrived at Haw Wood Farm Camping site, a fully serviced pitch. What a breeze to get to, straight up the A12 and turn off – we’re there!
Nice day too, we decided to shoot off on a quick visit to Walberswick. However, I thought the ‘track’ into Walberswick would be OK for bikes, but it was too sandy so we headed back and went by road instead.
Thirsty work, we stop at one of the two pubs in Walbersick, The Bell Inn. Of course Denise has an Adnams Gin and Tonic, I settle for a Ghost Ship.
Nice back garden in the pub, but they boast ‘sea views’ – not any more – the neighbour is building some kind of garage/shelter that blocks the view – doh!
Tuesday, we decide to cycle to Dunwich beach and Minsmere. Here we are at Dunwich beach, a bit bleak today – just a few sea anglers trying their luck.
We cycle further on to the tea rooms at Dunwich beach and Minsmere, but it was a big disappointment – stale cakes and just a bad feel about the place. Not the first time now National Trust tea rooms are going downhill fast. So we double back to Dunwich and stop at Cliff House Camping half way along, just to be nosy really because we can see it is mostly static caravans but there are some motorhomes parked up too. They have a bar/restaurant and we take a coffee and sausage roll each.
While we are at Cliff House camping, we look around the site and they have a beach access down some steep steps.
I can imagine this place is wonderful when the weather is hot, the beach looks good too.
Just before we get into Dunwich we take a look at the ruins outside, pretty impressive that this village was once a bustling shipping town/harbour that has since disappeared into the sea.
Denise looks around the site
Interesting history, caught on camera rather than try to write it all down.
Wednesday, we head off on bikes to Southwold, it is an absolutely lovely ride on quiet roads – about an hour. The town is gearing up for the OVO women’s tour day 1 finish.
Finish line and podium, the guy announces that they are 30km out, so we think we have time to grab something to eat out of the cool breeze on the seafront – bad idea!
These guys were riding around Southwold showing off.
We get fish and chips and of course a pint of Adnams in the Sole Bay pub – just 2 minutes from the finish. However, whilst we are finishing our lunch the women start to ride past the pub – they’ve just finished!!!
This is the bridge that links Southwold harbour to the top of Walberswick.
Waiting outside Adnams Tour
That’s our bikes locked up in the courtyard of the Adnams visitor centre. Behind is the Swan Hotel, we went in there for a coffee while we waited for our tour to start, very nice too.
Inside the visitor centre and you realise the spread of Adnams products
We’ll be seeing how they make these – and tasting them afterwards!
Some more
What a prat!
This is the key to making the vodka and then gin, the still – a modern addition to the old brewery.
View from the top of the still.
In the heart of the distillery.
The distillery products – sadly they stopped making the Absynthe a couple of years ago.
The new wooden casks that hold the gin, made in France and cost £600 each
Thought this might make a good picture 🙂
They won’t let me go further than this – more barrels are stored underground
The tasting session.
Oh sh… we’ve got to cycle back to the campsite after this lot
Basically, they’ve squeezed the duistillery in the site of the old brewery in the middle of Southwold and this is it.
Hmmmm Beeeer!
Tool late, the race is all over
All finished.
On the way back we spot this conversion, thought I’d send this to Richard so he can join us on tour!
