Today we caught the sightseeing bus from Woodbridge rail station to Sutton Hoo. The children loved sitting up the top 'with no roof' and seeing all the sights. The route took us to Buttrums Mill, Wilford Bridge in Melton and up to Sutton Hoo. The tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for children. They were valid for 24 hours and you could hop on and off as much as you wanted.

When we got off the bus at Sutton Hoo there was a member of staff who greeted us and asked us if we'd been there before. She then explained the layout and how to get tickets. We were welcome to use the picnic area and play area free so we went there first. The children went on the play equipment for an hour or so and then we had lunch. The play area was clean and the children enjoyed all the equipment although most of it was for older children. There were just 2 sit-on bouncers for 2 years plus.

After lunch we wandered into the shop and then paid to go into the museum. The children were all given a quiz to do and they loved searching out the quiz cards and answers. Charlie was getting tired so he got a little fed up towards the end so I took him outside while Molly and her friend finished the quiz.

Once we'd finished it was time to get the bus back to Woodbridge. We're planning to go back to Sutton Hoo at some point in the future as we didn't go on any of the walks or even see the burial mound. The staff were all very pleasant and helpful and all facilities were clean. We took our own lunch so didn't use the cafe there but it looked quite big with lots of tables.

Our friends left us once we got back into Woodbridge so we went to the Whistlestop cafe at the rail station for a drink and ice-cream. Charlie still hadn't had a nap so I put him in his buggy and we walked home. Molly did really well as it's over 2 miles, mostly uphill.

Tonight Nigel and I went to Snape to see the Tashi Lhunpo monks. Molly didn't feel up to coming with us so we went without her. We went to visit the sand mandala before the show. It's a very intricate, beautifully coloured sand picture made by the monks. It takes days to make it and once finished the sand is swept up and taken to a nearby river and poured in to the water. This represents the impermanence of life and the water carries the healing energy of the sand around the world. It's all very symbolic. Sadly we didn't see anyone working on it as they were getting ready for the performance.

The show was really good and the chanting very soothing. It was extremely interesting to hear the story of the monks and their lives and the costumes were fabulously coloured. The dancers, wearing their masks, would have frightened Molly I think, so perhaps a good thing that she didn't come.

The only downside was our seating. We were in the proms area, which meant we were sitting on cushions on the floor, but there was very little room and it was rather cramped. I have hip dysplasia, which means limited movement in my hip and I just could not get comfortable. I'd go again but next time I would book a chair!

We're going to Framlingham Castle tomorrow to the Time Traveller's Go...Rogues and Villains event. They have a lot of events on for children during the summer and there are more activities than usual. I've never been to Framlingham Castle before so it'll be a new experience for all of us. The Heart Angels will be there too. As usual, we'll be going by public transport. It takes a little over an hour to get there from Martlesham so I'm hoping the children will be okay. I don't think I'll have anything to worry about though as they've loved all the bus and train travels so far.

After that we're meeting Nigel in Ipswich and we're off to London to stay in a hotel overnight so that we can be at Legoland bright and early on Saturday morning. We're all very excited about going!