FIN

Hey Bury Folks, Friends and Peeps, I am now not going to be back in Bury St Edmunds at Christmas or indeed for the forseeable future. So I've decided not to carry on posting here now. Thanks to everyone who continued to drop in to see the archive photos. This blog is now officially dormant. Bons baisers, Rubes. xxx

Rip it up and start again

Do you know what happens to the Abbey Garden flower beds every autumn? They rip it up and start again (I know a song about that).

Change Afoot

Pretty in Pink

The Top of the Hill in Autumn

Freedom!

My youngest son, Little J, likes Bury with no cars in it. I think he might be pretending to be one here.

Bin Lorry Barrier

A bin lorry blocks the road to traffic while the after-market clean up operation is happening. I like Bury when it's traffic free. Would you like to see what Buttermarket looks like with no cars? OK, tomorrow.

Autumn is Best Ever

It's like the trees have their own festival, dress in bright colours and throw confetti everywhere.

Market Square in the Evening

Sitting Among Ducks

This Photo Will Make You Want A Bacon Sandwich

Think about it. You know you do.

I Like This Red Leaf

Photographed where it lay in the Abbey Gardens.

Autumn in the Abbey Gardens

Have you ever laid flat on your tummy on wet autumn grass so that you can look at the twisty tree and the cathedral from a slightly different angle? I have.

Ruby in Starbucks

There's yesterday's photo! I uploaded it to my laptop just after I took it, set it as background, then photographed the laptop.

Mystery Rainy Day

This rainy day photo, taken from that nice seat by the window in Starbucks, has been on my blog before, but has only been pictured as part of another picture. You'd probably need to be quite a hardcore Ruby fan to know where ;-) Answer tomorrow.

Rainy Autumn Day on Out Risbygate

You and Me

My daughter used to say: "Look Mummy, 's'you and me!"

Bury Fish and Chip Shop

@myface.com/chomp

Remembrance

I remember that the army recruitment people visited County Upper School regularly.

When he was about 14, Erik got given a go in a real tank, and was allowed to sign up for a glossy magazine produced by the army for teenage lads, full of gadget porn, tanks and exciting commando training features.

Sometimes when the magazine arrived, and I got to it before he did, I put it in the black bin.

Warming House

When the Abbey was standing, and it was a cold day in late autumn, I wonder if all the monks went to sit in the warming house? I bet they did.

Secret Place

Can you see the secret swear word?

Addendum: This photo was taken a year ago, in Oct 2007. I went to reshoot the spot in Oct 2008 and found the swear word has vanished without a trace, although someone has now written "Magic" on Sir Eldon Griffiths' bench. Do you think it could be?

The Green Clean Machine

Look at it go!

Autumn Trees at Sutton Hoo

This one was taken last week.

Abbey Gate and Stripey Lawn

You may have seen this one somewhere before. I used it as a blog header for the most of last year. It was taken in October 07.

Abbey Gardens Fair on Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night 2007, Abbey Gardens Fireworks Display. This photo was taken a good while after the display, as things were starting to close up. The Helter Skelter had in fact just closed, but this customer was allowed a go!

Details for 2008: Abbey Gardens Firework Display - Nov 8, gates open 6pm, fireworks 7.30pm, adults £5, children, OAPs £4.

House in the West Front of the Abbey

Would you like to live in a house like this? And wear period costume? And write a blog from the point of view of your character? And then go bonkers and run away? I know I would.

Fallen Bloom

New Series

I have a really hooj archive of Bury St Edmunds photos. I thought I would do a "one a day" series here until I next return to Bury. Hope you enjoy.

Final Diary of My Visit

So it's time to go home already. The children are already planning their next return visit. I am not really planning anything except how to fit stuff in my case.

Yesterday, Saturday, I pottered for most of the morning in my dressing gown, then I weeded the patio until it started raining on me. Mr Ruby was out at hockey, and the kids were out at the Cineworld morning kids film, with friends. I didn't go out till the evening - family trip to Frankie and Benny's.

In Frankie and Benny's:
Ruby: It's funny, but in all honesty this is my favourite restaurant in Bury. This is the one we always came to as a family, and yeah, I know it's a chain restaurant, but it has a sort of feel good factor about it and a really nice atmosphere.
Erik: And it's not remotely like Bury St Edmunds in here, there's a totally different vibe.
Ruby: (thoughtfully) Yes. I think you're right. We could be in a big city - York, London, America, anywhere!
Erik: It was escapism. That's why you liked coming here.

We were going to watch the new Bond movie after the restaurant, but hadn't pre-booked and the next one was full. So home we went.

It's been a good visit. There was a friend or two I'd liked to have met up with, but didn't get the chance this time. Next time, because I intend to retain links with Bury St Edmunds, a place that has shaped me and my family in many ways.

And in the meantime, back to York, where my life has moved on.

Photos From My Archive #3