Bury St Edmunds to Mersea: a tale of two aunts

Before setting off round the country, it seems wise to do some test runs so we can be confident: a) the bike and other equipment is fit for purpose; b) my legs are up to the job; and c) Raisin and I are going to enjoy ourselves.

With this in mind, we did our first major ride this week, which was 45 miles to visit my Aunt Rose in West Mersea on the Essex coast, and back the following day. It took ages. The speed was low and we had frequent stops for games of 'balley', which Raisin adores.

We went via Lavenham and took this photo of the plaque outside Little Hall, which commemorates another of my aunts, Aunt Eve, who was a volunteer there and did a lot to put it on the map. The bit about her says "This sign is dedicated to the memory of Eve Ranzetta who wanted people to know about this house and its contents."

Little Hall was home to many families over six centuries from medieval clothiers through to the Gayer Anderson twin brothers who filled it with their collection of antiques and antiquities.

 Since 1974, generations of volunteers have looked after it and shared its delights with thousands of visitors as the only medieval residential property in Lavenham open to the public.

Today it is the only Lavenham property in Simon Jenkins’ book England’s Thousand Best Houses and still retains the atmosphere of a friendly, family home. [Source: Little Hall website]

47 miles after setting off from Bury St Edmunds (we got a bit lost around Colchester), it was a relief to arrive at Mersea, to a warm welcome, tea and cake.  The tide was out, as it was 12 hours later (such is the way of tides) so no chance of a swim even if we wanted one. A lone cockle (or perhaps winkle) picker was out on the mud flats when Raisin and I took an early stroll the next day before heading back to Bury.  A successful test of kit, patience (canine) and legs (human).