Friday morning - a bowl of cornflakes and a piece of toast to go with the inevitable cup of instant coffee!
I had hoped to make a quick getaway but it's not to be. R wants to take Beloved to see his yacht - sailing is such a huge thing here, and though no-one expects Onassis and orgies I'm a little disappointed by the sail boat which is shown with pride.
A ploughman's lunch at 12.30....I'm going to look like a ploughman if this keeps up - and then finally, after giving up any hope of a sensible reply to any of E's ramblings, we are on the road again.
After this experience I am expecting to be underwhelmed by these visits to Tony's past - but as we travel further East and reach Horseshoe Cottage, the home of Beloved's childhood friend, i feel more at ease - perhaps the suicide pact can go on hold for a few more years..
Another masterpiece of English quaintness greets us....not the friends - the cottage. Again it's pink and set in gardens that might have been used as illustrations for seed packets. Paul looks for all the world like Peter Sellers, and apparently always has. Lesley if terrific - open and without self consciousness....traits which are not in abundance. We have a lovely visit....two hours with cups of tea and sliced bread pudding that we brought with us ( It's a dirty job but someone has to do it.) I'm reluctant to say goodbye - it's been such a relief to laugh and talk and feel in tune with people.... I almost wish we could stay longer.
But it's on to Beccles - a little suffolk town close to Lowestoft and Oulton Broad....scenes of Tony's sailing youth. We manage to get ourselves lost in the old town and Tony realises he doesn't actually have Bucket's address. You can imagine how thrilled I was at that. After driving round in circles for half an hour, Beloved admitted defeat and called his friend to tell him we were lost.
The house is modern, and that's a surprise - but there are four acres of woodlands behind it and they're full of wildlife...ducks, pheasants, grouse, bunnies, deer and even squirrels are all curious about our arrival. The ducks waddle up onto the patio to quack at us.... the bunnies are too busy frantically bunnying to pay us much mind. The little deer stares at me with only mildly inquisitive eyes. The air is incredibly fresh and we could be a million miles from anywhere rather than three hours from London.
Buckets and Jen are a lovely couple... they welcome us with genuine affection and Jen has cooked a fabulous dinner which we have with a bottle of Chardonnnay. There's a stunning guest bedroom and burr walnut furniture to complement the old brass bed.
I manage to catch up with some work online then stumble into bed .
Tomorrow is another day and since I am in arrears with this blog, I can say with the absolute certainty of hindsight that it will be one of the most special days of my life, and one I will always treasure.
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