Saturday in Bury St Edmunds

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As part of my pre-birthday treat, we’re here in Bury St Edmunds with Lee, David and Val – staying at The Angel. After a really (really) good night’s sleep (I was shattered after eight days training in two weeks) – I’m ready to take on the world…and The Angel’s famous breakfast, The Suffolk Grill.

We weren’t disappointed as the menu choice, which was fantastic. Decisions, decisions on what to have to complement my fry-up Suffolk Grill! – smoothies, buckets of toast and superb local apple juice eventually got my vote. Others were a little more constrained –  now, where’s my cholesterol tablets?

After breakfast, we took a walk around the Abbey Gardens – a beautiful blue sky and some gorgeous flower-beds bursting with colour.

After our walk round, it was into town to look at the shops. I hardly remember Bury’s ‘retail scene’ (I haven’t been here for many, many years) , but it’s well-served with lots of little stores as well as some of the bigger chains. In fact, there’s now a tasteful shopping centre as well. We dropped into Debenhams for a quick coffee and cake before setting off on the 30 minute-or-so drive to Lavenham. Getting our car, from wherever-the-hotel-had-parked-it proved to be a little difficult for the hotel. Reception was under pressure because of wedding guests and the poor girl on Reception was doing her best. She asked us to wait out front whilst they delivered it to us. Twenty minutes later, no car! On querying it with Reception, I was told: ‘it’s round the back’. After suggesting that they honoured my original request (at my assertive best, I hope), the car eventually arrived.

Lavenham is a lovely village and very twee with its old houses that all look as it they’d never seen a spirit-level. So twee, in fact, that the mobile signal was almost non-existent and so no photos! Next it was off to the beautiful SS Peter and Paul Church. I’ve driven past it many times on my business travels, so it was good to look inside. And we weren’t disappointed. The gorgeous stained-glass windows were breath-taking – and so was the architecture.

We then headed back to the hotel. Fortunately, a state of calm had returned to the car-park (unlike last night!!), and we able to get in with ease. Yeesh! what a small one (Doctor) – on this occasion, it was my turn to block others in – seven of them in fact! – but at least I could leave my keys with Reception.

A quick snooze before switching into theatre-mode – best-ish bib-and-tucker and off to Cafe Rouge for a bite to eat before curtain-up. We got to the restaurant about 6pm and once seated, we studied the menu. The service was swift and efficient and we were well-fed, watered and on our way to the Theatre just after 7. Umbrellas at the ready, as it was now raining. After a short walk, we arrived at the the Theatre – fairly small, and (for history buffs), the last remaining working regency-style theatre of its kind. A gorgeous place with a beautiful ceiling.

We arrived at the Theatre Royal in Bury to see Teechers. We didn’t know much about the Play, other than what we’d read. The Independent gave it 10/10 and that’s good enough for me. As their web-site said: “…a classic comedy from BAFTA winner John Godber, starring Hollyoaks’ Zoe Lister and previous Hull Truck touring actors Claire Eden and Peter McMillan”. Err, none of this helped us very much, but as it turned out, it was a really good Play. More especially because the three actors played more than one part, and often in quick succession. We were seated in a Box, and it was fairly snug requiring a specific sequence for us all to get in and get out – including the folding and unfolding of the middle-seat! – what fun!!!.

The Play finished around 9.25 and took the short walk back to the Hotel. They hadn’t fixed the heating in our rooms, so we had a whinge at the Duty Manager (poor sod), settled by the fire with hot chocolate, tea and the Telegraph!  Perfect!!

It’s been a great break – we’re going to have a late-ish breakfast tomorrow and then head for home.