A cold, crisp November in Suffolk, by Laura Scamponi

Mild Octobers I can put up with, but a proper November should be crisp, cold and preferably bright. It should make you want to snuggle up indoors, eat comforting casseroles and pies with custard, light log fires and cosy up in big woolly hats and sweaters.

Suffolk sunsets can be magnificent at this time of year. Take yourself out east on a clear evening and watch the sky turn a hundred different shades of pink before night casts its dark cloak over the landscape, or rise early and catch a glistening frost in the forest.

I’ve done the round of Suffolk firework displays: Ipswich’s massive Christchurch Park event one year, Framlingham the next and a more intimate gathering at The White Lion, Lower Ufford a few years back.

Last year we went further north and opted for the huge annual display in the grounds of Heveningham Hall. With two big bonfires and a floodlit Georgian mansion as a backdrop, there can be few firework displays the country over that are as grand or spectacular as this one.

I think we paid about £12 for a car, which was good value considering the awe-inspiring setting, variety of attractions and good quality food stands. Dodgems, teacups and other rides for the kids, meaty local sausages on the barbecue, hog roast with apple sauce, toffee apples, candied nuts and a licensed bar.

A word of advice - arrive as early as possible as the queues can be long (gates normally open about 6pm) and don’t forget to wear your wellies - something I didn’t do last year. A quick search on the web also led me to the Hall’s website - www.countryfair.co.uk - where you can buy your ticket in advance on-line and save £2 on the car price (I do love a bargain.)

If you’re nearer to the west of the county another annual display that comes highly recommended is Long Melford’s Big Night Out. I have never been myself but with a setting like Melford Hall Park it’s bound to be good. For details visit www.longmelford.co.uk

Aldeburgh’s annual Poetry Festival happens at around the same time in the month. Organised by arts organisation The Poetry Trust, this is the UK’s leading annual festival of international contemporary poetry attended by poets from all over the world. Have a look at www.aldeburghpoetryfestival.org to find out more.

I don’t know about you but when Guy has turned to ash for another year, it seems acceptable for the shops to begin work on their Christmas displays.

Night time walks through towns and villages can be magical around now - windows become resplendent with ethereal angels and portly Santas, some of the Suffolk pubs even start on the mulled wine and notices for late night shopping go up.

I find myself longing for the white-light festooned Christmas trees to illuminate the dark streets and make a note of all the Christmas fairs and festivals in my diary, lest I should miss anything. Better start thinking about where to buy this year’s Christmas tree too…