There was something of a carnival atmosphere in Woodbridge over the past couple of days. The sun was out and everyone seemed to be full of anticipation for the long weekend, with people on the streets, eating and drinking, chatting and laughing together, or walking by the river.
Of course, yesterday, there was the added excitement of the football, with Ipswich Town securing automatic promotion to the Premiership. Last time this happened it was declared 'good for the town' but this time Ed Sheeran was interviewed saying it was 'good for the county'! We'll have to wait and see but it's certainly a good time for former Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks to release his memoir. 'Man on a Mission' will be launched at Aldeburgh Bookshop on Friday 5 June.
I think we're all glad to have something positive to focus on with the state of local, national and global events currently, and last week's royal visit to America seems to have lifted everyone's spirits.
It had seemed a very bad idea to go ahead, for so many reasons, and was viewed with much trepidation, but it has been declared a triumph across the board.
Charles used 'wit, humour, history and appreciation' to challenge the President on Ukraine, Nato, climate change and the Royal Navy.
In doing so with charm, authority and dignity, he got 12 standing ovations in what was meant to be a 20 minute speech. The New York Times said the King 'worked the House chamber like a stand-up comedian'. And former BBC reporter Emily Maitlis claimed in her podcast that Charles 'did a sort of "Love Actually" speech, but written by Plato'.
The speech was said to have been a combined effort by the government, the Palace and the King himself, and it was certainly a masterclass in what thoughtfully and intelligently crafted words can do.
Thank you for reading.