Defiance

Today we visited the Martello Tower at Aldeburgh. The tower was built in the early 19th Century as one of a series of lookouts against a  possible invasion by Napoleon.  It was acquired by the Landmark Trust some 40 years ago and converted in highly unusual self-catering holiday accommodation.

To celebrate 50 years of the Landmark Trust, Anthony Gormley was commissioned to provide five sculptures, one positioned at each of the compass points of Britain, and one in the centre of the country.  The Martello Tower represents the eastern point, and the sculpture is a life-size statue of a man, arms folded defiantly, looking out across the Suffolk coastline.  We managed to book a tour of the tower which allowed us to climb up to the roof and share the view with the statue.

This photograph is taken from ground level, and I liked the curved shapes of the tower, topped by the almost silhouetted figure.

Together with a (bitingly cold) sea breeze, some local fish and chips and a stroll along the high street, it was a very pleasant day.