Seriously Nutty FYI

Yes that's me - Seriously Nutty.

Waitrose are doing a 3 for 2 on all breakfast cereals at the moment which is a really good deal when you consider the price of cereals and the fact that they last much longer than refrigerated food.

I'm not a fan of breakfast cereals, but the Waitrose 'Seriously Nutty' I can't stop eating (haven't tried the other two Seriously varieties yet). That said - the first packet I bought had a massive amount of nuts in them and it seemed like I was chewing for hours on end. I think that packet had the most recent packet's share as there are fewer nuts in that. Perhaps people weren't getting any work done with the original quota - maybe I just struck lucky. I've been through times of eating Kellogg's Special K (whatever does the K stand for?) but you're paying about twice the amount for roughly the same weight of the 'Seriously' range and the amount of protein in the latter far exceeds most cereals - and that's important for sustained energy levels. I'm going to start writing adverts soon :-).

So while I'm talking Waitrose, if smoked mackerel fans visit, they should try their Honey and Soy variety. It's so tasty.

The Mill, Sudbury

The Mill Hotel is a beautiful building, with wonderful 'Constable Country' views from the windows, which can be appreciated in all types of weather.

I meet the Essex girls there every few weeks. I can't say a lot about the food because I tend to eat the same thing each time - the seafood tagliatelle I love (and I'm very fussy about pasta). The management has changed a couple of times recently and so has the menu. On the last visit a couple of weeks back I was very daring and tried something else - Red Snapper with risotto. I really enjoyed that too.

Risbygate St, Bury St Edmunds

Enjoying the beautiful cloud formation at about 8pm yesterday I took a quick photo, only to find I had what looked like a sun and a moon (or two moons) on the end product. No such sight was visible when I looked through the lens - or after clicking. Don't know whether it's a street light, a reflection or .......????

No wonder people see strange lights in the sky. Or this nature's way of compensating for Bury's new lighting restrictions?

Ravenwood Hall, Bury St Edmunds

It amazes me how few people seem to visit Ravenwood Hall from Bury St Edmunds. Must be the location (or is it the food?). Despite being outside of Bury it is worth getting a taxi to for the enjoyment of the surroundings, which at present are one of the best bits about it. It's a beautiful building - I love the setting, and have always enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. Some years back I was a frequent visitor there as the food was marvellous then. I haven't eaten in the restaurant lately - it's got a little pricey and my confidence has been undermined by one or two less than happy dining experiences there a few months ago. I have to say that the meal I had in their pavilion last Christmas as part of a 'works do' was one of the worst I have had in a long, long time - anywhere. I could put it eloquently and say it was 'rubbish' but strictly speaking it was cheap food cooked on a grand scale - tasteless and boring and dreadfully overpriced.

I think as far as their function catering goes, Ravenwood has become incredibly popular - but maybe at the cost of good quality to the general public. Last Friday I met friends there for an evening drink and the bar could not provide us with a glass of cold wine it seemed. We tried several (despite the high price per glass). They were obviously too busy for the wine to get cold. There was a wedding on at the time, but hey.... get your act together Ravenwood.

Benson Blakes

This has been one of my favourite venues in Bury over time. When busy it buzzes and I have spent some great evenings there - eating there frequently. Food is generally reasonably priced and varied (and one of the best steaks I have ever had was there) and I really like Tim, the owner who runs it along with his dad. Tim is one of the nicest proprietors in town.

I mention Bensons now because it has been newly decorated - it looks terrific and I'm looking forward to my next visit. Bensons still do their speciality burgers and on Wednesdays they serve two burger meals for just under £10.

Don't Pass the Grapes.

Just a quick word about the Grapes - one of my favourite places to go in town for live music (live and exceptionally loud). Went in there simply for a coffee today and manager Lou was really sweet. The first cappuccinos came out 'flat' and Lou changed them straight away - not content until she'd got them right despite me saying I was happy with mine. She was very friendly and pleasant.

The Grapes has a very assorted range of clientele depending on the time of day and I have had some super evenings there. One day I'll do the karaoke. Sorry - I mean hokey-cokey.

Some more criticism from the family

My brother and his wife visited in the holidays for the first time since the Arc shopping centre was built. They have always absolutely loved Bury but this time they were very disappointed- 'What a dreadful shopping centre - it's cold, stark and soul-less', my sister-in-law said. My brother seemed more concerned that the shops were 'boring' but both agreed their lunch in Carluccio's would have been improved with a decent view.

I really am surprised by their comments - why I don't know, I think it's a dreadful place. True I have 'monochromed' my photos. This is because the Arc reminds me of a cross between something from the future and something from the 60s (we all know the 60s happened in black and white). Not a good combination from any perspective. So many people do like the Arc (but there are hoards who don't) - maybe they don't get out much. Sorry if you do like it, but I think we need colour in in lives (I didn't have to do much adjusting to get a monochrome photo) not this grey austere mixture of cheap looking units.

Well, my family are critical of Bury these days - one might imagine they have travelled here from the Cotswolds or Cornwall. Brentwood and Romford actually.

More observations from Gill

It's good to see plants are finally growing up the side of these award-winning buildings on Parkway, Bury St Edmunds. I think my photo from close by is quite flattering. From the other side of the road where I stood with my sister, she asked 'Are those buildings derelict?'

Abbey Gardens and Cathedral Refectory

It's pretty clear what makes Bury such a popular place. I always forget just how lovely the Abbey Gardens are. The new children's play area is good - although really only suitable for the under 7s I'd say. The over 7s seem to enjoy themselves climbing on the Abbey Ruins. When I visited recently with my sister she was horrified that teenagers (especially!) should be able to climb on them. I agree really and I hope people appreciate that this 'freedom' is a privilege. Quite a few of the flints have become dislodged and are scattered around. If anyone should want to take souvenirs (you can imagine people might.... and have) it is a criminal offence, as one woman found out to her cost when she tried to advertise a rock on E-Bay.

On our visit to the Abbey Gardens we went to the Cathedral Refectory for lunch . It really is quite a pleasant place to go with family - reasonably priced food and drink in less conventional surroundings. No grounds for complaint at all. Good service, fresh tasting food (around £10 per head for a main course and alcoholic drink).