WHAT a difference a day makes!

In the middle of a truly awful week of weather, there was a rarity to be enjoyed – a day of blue skies and sunshine, and calm.

It was a magnificent autumn day, albeit on the chilly side, for all to enjoy whether out walking to see the wonderful colours of the season, shopping or strolling by the sea.

After two days of being blown about by gale-force winds and soaked by stinging rain, it was an opportunity to enjoy getting out and about again.

Pauline Barr was making a splash to see how she will fare when she joins around 300 others on Christmas Day for the annual dip in aid of the St Elizabeth Hospice.

Her verdict was the waves were a bit on the cold side – but she expects them to be even chillier in 44 days’ time.

If you didn’t make the most of it, then it may be a couple of days before it is fine again. The weathermen are warning people to batten down the hatches today, with another deep depression sweeping in from the west, to bring gales and more rain.

At Felixstowe yesterday it was a beautiful day on the seafront with lots of people enjoying walks along the prom and sitting in the gardens – and at least one person taking a dip in the sea.

It was a far cry from Monday and Tuesday’s weather, which saw strong wind and rain batter the region.

After the recent warm spell with temperatures higher than average for the time of year, forecasters did warn the weather would turn this week.

A WeatherQuest spokesman said today was expected to feature strong winds and cloudy skies with a period of heavy rain, and a top temperature of 11C (52F).

Tomorrow is again set to be bright and breezy, Saturday mainly cloudy and Sunday bright with sunny spells, but some cloudier periods. Temperatures are not expected to change much.

The Port of Felixstowe is expecting disruption today and says winds are expected to be above safe working limits of 45mph – when it is too dangerous to operate quayside cranes – until around 4pm tomorrow.

A spokesman said gusts of more than 57mph to 69mph are expected at crane heights.

“There is a high probability of some disruption to rail and yard operations as a result of these adverse weather conditions and we can expect long periods of disruption,” he said.