Bells ringing

I just watched a little programme about Dunwich in Suffolk - on German TV, mind. About two young architects from Munich who applied to build a sculpture to memorize the lost city of Dunwich which was washed away by the tide. The project was rejected by the 114 locals, who bravely resisted becoming another art tourism venue.

In 1086, just 20 years after the Norman conquest, Dunwich was a thriving town of 3,000 people. with 6 parish churches. Apparently, the one thing all visitors ask the locals is "can you still hear the bells ring under the sea?" Fancy people seriously believing that - doesn't that show how desperate we are for wonder!

On the official web page for Dunwich there is a poignant note:

"Local teenager Luke Durbin went missing on May 11th -2006".

The coast is still being eaten away by the sea, slowly slowly.

The English east coast is lovely from bottom to top Southwold, Aldeburgh, Cley-next-the-Sea, Cromer, Holy Island, Robin Hoods Bay, Whitby, Amble, Berwick-upon-Tweed. One day I want to see it all, again.