Hiley Website

All work and no play would make us dull people . . . so the saying goes

so we take a day out to visit the seaside village of Orford, that gives the famous east coast Orford Ness it's name.

The Harbour Office and the end of the road at the water's edge.

We've parked in an excellent village car park less than a hundred yards away . . . brilliant.

Welcome to "Orford - almost on sea".

	- - - o o o - - - Orford was a famous seaside port in the Middle Ages (1100's AD) but the longshore drift of pebbles has extended the river Ore spit to the point where access to the open sea is now some five miles further down the coast. The Castle, which we'll visit later, was built by Henry II to protect this once important trading port. - - - o o o - - -

With the calm waters of the river, it is still an important small boat centre.

Ancient and modern . . . an old anchor and an electric goods hoist on the end of the jetty.

Behind a large flood protection bank is the Orford Sailing Club headquarters.

The top lookout is used for viewing and supervising the sailing races in the river.

Cathy takes us on a walk, north along the river bank path.

It's an overcast day so the light is flat for photography, but it is still warm.

Across the way the Orford Ness lighthouse guides shipping on the open sea beyond.

On the land spit between the sea and river are old military pagodas from the time of wartime weapons development,

It was here that the mechanism for firing the atom bombs that ended the 2nd World War were tested.

The modern masts of the BBC World Service transmitters ahead, again on the inaccessible side of the river for us.

From a military point of view, the area was also home to the early developments of radar in the 1930's.

	- - - o o o - - - A river boat sails into view. The Lady Florence offers lunchtime or evening boat trips on a three hour river journey to Aldeburgh, Snape and back. " Other boat trips are available" . . . as they say. - - - o o o - - -

- - - o o o - - - The gentlest of waves from the boat fails to disturb this oyster catcher from his/her fishing. Zooming in, he appears to have found himself a worm to provide something for his lunch. - - - o o o - - -

Turning for Orford pier once more, we head back down river, leaving the radio station to recede into the distant haze.

We are passed by a small Mirror dinghy, also out enjoying the breeze.

Across the meadows are the Castle and Church tower of Orford Village standing out above the trees.

Back into the busy moorings . . . and the weather is suddenly improving as the haze and mistiness is blown away.

That's better colour . . . but I'll not repeat all the other earlier photos.

At the back of the boat park one of the sheds has been converted into a really nice cafe.

	- - - o o o - - - A wide choice of lunchtime food on the menu and I find myself with a lovely tuna-mayo baked potato. There was even a few spare crumbs for fellow visitors. - - - o o o - - -

After our walk and lunch there was still plenty of time to explore the village of Orford.

We pass the pub, an essential ingredient of most vibrant communities.

The Priory backing on to the main street through the village.

A little further on, Cathy looks at a fine display of roses on one of the private houses.

Ahead is the impressive church buildings at the higher end of the village.



The building has classic local flint stone in its construction . . .	. . . as does the castle ahead.

	- - - o o o - - - Time does not permit us an extended visit to the interior displays in the castle but we do enjoy a walk around the castle mound. A brass plaque on the cannon give us a little history of the guns. - - - o o o - - -

The castle was originally built to give a commanding view of the harbour and river mouth.

In its proximity the harbour and village developed into a major wool port and market town.

The information sign suggests that as the Orfordness spit extended further south, the harbour became less important for trading by boats

and the area became more famous for oyster farming and smuggling !

More sights and interesting architecture as we walk back through the village.

Just had to take this . . . a 4x4 VW enthusiast's vehicle with my initials on the registration !

Back to the pub and village car park . . . and time for an ice cream before we return home to Pin Mill.

- - - o o o - - -


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