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Sunday 16 July 2023

A week reflecting on 'obbies

Last weekend was a milestone birthday, for which I had a bit of a 'do' for family and close friends (some wargamers amongst them). 

Once the gazebos had been derigged, on the Monday Lisa and I set off for a rather special trip.

We went to Framlingham... somewhere I have longed to visit not least because it is where the fantastic TV series "detectorists" was filmed.

We were able to stay in the centre of the town, and all week were darting here and there following a very detailed google map which has many of the specific scene locations marked (a labour of love by someone who is as mad as me about the programme I guess).

So, "what's this all got to do with wargaming?" you may ask.

Well, the series is very much about middle-aged blokes and their hobbies. It just so happens that Lance (played by Toby Jones) and Andy (played by Mackenzie Crook, who also wrote and directed the series) are metal detectorists. But the parallels with our own hobby, and indeed any hobby, are so very obvious.

Anyway, having watched all three series from the very start (plus the Christmas specials) and many hundreds of times since, I was able to indulge.

For those who have no interest in the show, apologies...

Normal service will be resumed shortly.

Meantime, a few snaps:

Below - Maggie's shop, as seen from our hotel room.


Lance's flat


Castle Inn was used for "The Two Brewers" external scenes 



The King's Head in Orford was used for internal shots of the quiz night at The Two Brewers.


Becky's school


The Lemon Tree cafe where lance met his long lost daughter Kate is now a rather nice Italian restaurant... we insisted on the corner seat where Lance and Kate sat!
The tree in the churchyard opposite where Andy spied on them has since been felled, but other than that the scene is easily recognisable.


The field where King Sexred's ship burial is shot.


The Two Brewer's Beer Garden (in real life this is the White Horse at Ufford) where Lance and Sheila had a rather moving scene.


Saxon Round Tower church... Boom! The church at Aldham


The spot where Lance makes his big find!




The Mayor's house


The Crown at Great Glemham was the location for interior scenes at The Two Brewers.



For those who are interested, all series are on BBC iplayer.


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21 comments:

  1. Norm16 July 2023 at 22:02

    Detectorists ….. yeah! +1🙂

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  2. Donnie McGibbon17 July 2023 at 04:59

    Cracking post! Brilliant series, such a well observed show and a great cast, it's one of my favourites as well, nice to see the actual places that were used in the show.

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  3. Steve J.17 July 2023 at 06:54

    One of our all time favourites shows, so beautifully written, directed and acted by all concerned. So gentle and just a pleasure to watch at anytime, rather like Dad's Army. FYI it is now on Netflix too.

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    1. Phil17 July 2023 at 12:18

      Cheers Steve. I believe Dad's Army was filmed around Norfolk... might have to make a pilgrimage there too! Phil

      Delete
  4. Duke of Baylen17 July 2023 at 08:10

    Christine and I are fans of the show too, so I enjoyed your holiday snaps.
    all the best,
    Stephen

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    1. Phil17 July 2023 at 12:19

      Thanks Stephen. The show does seem to have a lot of fans like us! Best rgds. Phil

      Delete
  5. Anonymous17 July 2023 at 10:00

    Loved the scene where Terry digs up the WW2 bomb: hilarious!

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    1. Phil17 July 2023 at 12:20

      Yes, absolutely brilliant. Visiting the locations had me revisiting all the scenes in my head, and chuckling. What I have shown is a fraction of the locations visited. Great trip. Best rgds. Phil

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  6. David22 July 2023 at 08:37

    Sue and I have done much the same with Holmfirth and the unsurpassed and unsurpassable Last of the Summer Wine.

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    1. Phil27 July 2023 at 20:04

      Certainly another favourite of many people David, although I confess I never got into it. I can understand, however, the obsession with good TV that leads us to discover the locations where the magic is made. Best rgds. Phil

      Delete
  7. Anonymous30 July 2023 at 10:20

    Nice trip!
    To bring the hobby connection full circle some of the LAW forum group visit Framlingham every couple of years for a wargaming weekend, as one of our members lives there :)

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    Replies
    1. Phil16 August 2023 at 14:05

      Yes, indeed. It's a really lovely place.

      Delete
  8. John Kersey8 August 2023 at 20:30

    Agreed a super series and has a quiet understated quality. Glad to see the photos and you both obviously enjoying the trip. Is Lisa also a fan of the series?

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    1. Phil16 August 2023 at 14:06

      Yes, John, Lisa is (now) a fan of the series. Some might call it indoctrination... i prefer to think of it as healthy influences.

      Delete
  9. Prince Lupus14 August 2023 at 09:16

    The best of British tv

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  10. Anonymous16 August 2023 at 12:21

    As a result of your post and a recent weekend of gaming at chris Gregg's house where 2 gamers waxed lyrical about the series, I have just binge watched the three series and Christmas specials over the last couple of weeks. Superb. Lord knows why I didn't watch when it was first on.

    Guy

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    Replies
    1. Phil16 August 2023 at 14:08

      Excellent Guy; glad you have enjoyed it. i must have watched all 3 series + specials, back to back, over 50 times!! There are some rather good facebook groups for fans of the series too. Best regards. Phil

      Delete
  11. Andy McMaster21 August 2023 at 09:26

    Excellent series. Excellent pics. As mentioned above, the LAW gather there on occasion. Always enjoy staying in the Crown. The Lemon Tree used to have a flat above that you could rent and we stayed there on our first visit.

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