A top-down sprint around Somerleyton in my 1971 Triumph Vitesse

[@Ifitwerks]

Thanks Sean, glad that you managed to do the trip you went right past where I live too! Those bends don't seem as sharp in the video, but you know after driving them. The de restricted sections were reduced from 60 to 40 just after the pandemic maybe due to the sharp bends. Agree about Somerleyton, its a micro world from the past when everyone in the village was employed on the estate or the Somerleyton farm. My boat was moored at Oulton broad and have been under and over those bridges more times than I can remember but still feel lucky to live in this part. Hope it was worth the drive and thanks for video.😊

[@seanhumfrey]

Thanks so much Malcolm. Trust me those bends are sharp! I was nearly caught by one that tightens unexpectedly and I think you can hear my intake of breath. Terrific route and one I am certain others will enjoy equally thanks to your kind suggestion. 😀

[@bobspeller2225]

Hi Sean, I agree, that was a great drive with nice roads, history and excellent views, just needed a coffee stop off!! All the best Bob

[@seanhumfrey]

Thank you so much Bob. If you bring your Stag you will be spoilt by the choice of places to stop on this route including of course, the great house itself 😀

[@bobspeller2225]

@@seanhumfrey That’s sounds great let’s see what we can arrange in April. I’m hoping for ticket to go to the Bicester Scramble on the 21st April. Any other time should be good. Cheers Bob

[@mikeparsons2353]

Thank you Sean, I enjoyed that very much

[@seanhumfrey]

Thank you so much Mike 😀

[@roatavator]

Another great video Sean, roads I used to travel frequently for work. Must get the Herald on them. Like you out yesterday with the top down, celebrated giving my lady wife her first hood down drive by breaking down in a very busy location. The dreaded Triumph points, cleaned them and soon mobile again but best I replace them and condenser this week!

[@seanhumfrey]

I feel for you. Trying to justify the reliability of a beloved old car to your beloved is an experience with which I am all too familiar. 😂 Great you were able to still enjoy the day and, yes definitely get up to Somerleyton if you can. Always the promise of teacakes 😀

[@lordleonusa]

Thanks for showing us these beautiful places in your part of the world, I haven't spent much time around there, although I've been to Bungay a few times, (to see David A), as well as Lowestoft, once, and Leiston to visit Newton Commercial. Also Ipswich, Chelmsford and Colchester, Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Woodbridge and Newmarket. I even found myself in Downham Market once!

[@seanhumfrey]

Ah, Leon lovely drives to Ditchingham and Newton Commercial is a fascinating place to visit with lots of lovely things to buy! Going to Downham Market counts as a foreign destination here in Suffolk. We've heard tell of men who became so beguiled by Norfolk, they never came back! 😂

[@promerops]

Fine video, as always, Sean. Thank you. My maternal grandmother (who died some time before I was born) started her working life in service at a stately home somewhere in the vicinity of Saxemundham. This according to my mother (died in 2019, so I cannot verify this now). I was born at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire - as a Baby Boomer following WW2. It has been downhill, socially, for me ever since then!

[@seanhumfrey]

Hi Colin, it would be fascinating to discover which house. The nearest country house is Hurts Hall at Saxmundham, also Carlton House, which is no longer there but 1 mile from Saxmundham. There were 3 at Yoxford, the most famous being Cockfield Hall between Saxmundham and Westleton. The others I can think of like Sizewell would be associated with the other towns e.g. Leiston. In the video I meant to make a distinction between Stately Homes and country houses. For example Ickworth, Sudbourne and Somerleyton could be seen as Stately homes, where as Glemham Hall, Helmingham Hall etc. Fine as they are, would be a scale under. The money tied up in these places in the 19th century is almost unfathomable. In terms of staff, I like to think of these grand estates as static Ocean liners - people to make them run and other people to make them comfortable!

[@promerops]

@@seanhumfrey There is one cousin who might just possibly know. I'll drop him an e-mail and see.

[@promerops]

Hi Sean, Cousin Paul has responded to my enquiry. He has no knowledge of this matter, but will speak to the few remaining family members who might know which house it was. Best wishes, Colin.

[@seanhumfrey]

Fingers crossed Colin. It would be fascinating to find out. Do you know where her parents lived by any chance? That might just give us a clue.

[@promerops]

@@seanhumfrey Yes, it would be good to find this out. Her parents lived in Theberton/Eastbridge - Flash Cottage!

[@robinstewart4729]

another great video sir

[@seanhumfrey]

Thanks Robin. So glad you enjoyed this. 😀

[@marks7197]

Lovely drive to watch as usual, will you be coming through Lincolnshire or Rutland again anytime soon Sean?

[@seanhumfrey]

Thanks so much Mark. I'm definitely planning to film in your part of the world in the coming weeks. Just waiting for the weather to improve enough to take the Triumphs on a road trip. 👍

[@lordleonusa]

The White Heat of Technology speech by Harold Wilson reminded me of the "You've never had it so good" speech by his immmediate predecessor, Harold MacMillan! In 1957, British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan said, “Let us be frank about it: most of our people have never had it so good”. Macmillan was the British Conservative statesman who served as prime minister from 1957-1963.

[@seanhumfrey]

Yes he was an interesting character, with a rather sad personal life and premature end to his career. In some ways I think he was right about never having it so good. The problem was that for a large portion of the country that having it so good was still a very long way off being good enough.

[@lordleonusa]

Once I've got my Vitesse back on the road, I must make some videos of the scenery around here

[@seanhumfrey]

That's such a great idea Leon. I love seeing you tube films from the States. Really looking forward to it. 👍