A lovely sunny day with a cold wind but I'd not had an adventure out for weeks so decided to have a day out and the Angela Harding print of the Orford Hares gave me a nudge to use my English Heritage membership for a visit to the castle at Orford before my knees give up completely. It's all steps!....from the car park to the top.
All that is left of the castle built there in the 1160's is the keep on the top of the mound or motte.
One of the display cabinets on the Orford Castle museum floor - I took pictures of the others but the sun made too many reflections.
My last visit to Orford including the church visit was in 2022 the post is HERE if you want to look.
There's not a huge amount to see at the castle but it's worth the climb to the top for the views. By the time I'd got down again the knees were like jelly and I could hardly walk! Think I need to move from bungalow to a house to give them more exercise!
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This is a fascinating post, so much information, thank you Sue. Caen stone was also used in building Westminster Abbey, Canterbury Cathedral, and the Tower of London. I was sad that the lighthouse became unsafe and had to be demolished. I hope they do build some sort of memorial museum with the salvaged items. Are you a member of English Heritage ?
ReplyDeleteI joined EH last year before we went to IOW. NT is so expensive so I don't belong to them anymore
DeleteThe National Trust is expensive, but we have now changed our membership to Over 60s Joint and we are saving a reasonable amount. It means after just two visits to properties we are usually in profit and we can park for free on all NT carparks.
DeleteApril is too cold for castles but I hope your knees recover. No wonder they had an enormous fireplace, don't envy the poor soul who had to carry firewood to the top.
ReplyDeleteI'd planned to walk to the quay but had to drive the car down!
DeleteWe went back to Orford back in 2021 and enjoyed the castle and looking round the church. Bought some lovely smoked garlic too I seem to remember. Arilx
ReplyDeleteThe smokehouse and cafe there is famous - there are about 4 cafes now - popular with visitors
DeleteMy father in law always said if he moved to a bungalow his knees wouldn't work anymore. He lived to be 86 and could still climb the stairs in his house and went for a decent walk every day. Bungalows have their place too especially if someone has injured their legs etc. Something for me to think about!
ReplyDeletePenny
Bungalows are so bad for getting in ordinary exercise. My knees are certainly worse than when I moved here 4 years ago
DeleteWhat an interesting castle and history. Well worth the visit (sorry about your jelly legs though!) I noted they got the Iron Age dates put down for the Neolithic ones . . . right on the Bronze Age though.
ReplyDeleteOh dear - that's a couple of boards that need putting right.
DeleteI've started doing 'step ups' and 'sit-to-stand' exercises again precisely because I noticed my strength and balance were weaker since we got the (entirely vital) stairlift. I'd never get up those steps at the castle now, so thank you for going up and taking the pictures!
ReplyDeleteSit to stand is one of the exercises the physios gave me to do when I hurt my knee 5 years ago and it's one we do at our keep moving group too so must be good
DeleteSome gorgeous photos there Sue and well worth the climb to the top for those views. I keep my 'knees in' with stairs by visiting the Booths upstairs café at least twice a week ... well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to think of shops with stairs and I can only think of M&S in Ipswich!
DeleteTop marks for making it to the top. The views were worth it, from your photographs.
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit breezy up there
DeleteWow! What a hike! That would be a difficult climb for me now. Good for you, Sue, for making it to the top!
ReplyDeleteI hung onto the rope real tight as I was going round and round the spiral stairs!
DeleteMy niece is a physiotherapist and she used to say to my Dad ''Grandad, you've got bungalow legs'', apparently its good for us to keep walking up and down stairs. Those views were magnificent though. Xx
ReplyDeleteMy knees are much worse than 4 years ago - I've got a step stool thingy but it's not the same
DeleteI think all bungalows and flats should be supplied with a step up exercise feature! Thanks for the lovely pix.
DeleteThank you for the tour. The views from the top go out for miles. Amazing and very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI did not realize how important stairs are to knees. This is good information. When friends have had knee replacements, the rehab includes riding an exercise bike. I wonder if this is an acceptable replacement for stairs.
It was a bit misty and very breezy up there!
DeleteOrford castle was pretty much in my backyard while I was growing up in Suffolk. I must try and visit it again. The mist over Orford Ness feels mysterious. In ancient times when people believed in spirits and myths it must have been quite spooky to live there.
ReplyDeleteOrford has turned into a tourist destination - coffee shops everywhere now!
DeleteWow! I haven't been there in years. Thanks for taking me on a tour. It's lovely
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit this spot. Looks very interesting and near the sea, too!
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