Turns out Graham has never been to Norfolk, so to cries of  Very flat, Norfolk  we set out with Selina and Graham for a week-end at Mike & Anns’ in Norwich. Could we disprove the Coward quote? Hedgerows all still looked very bleak, but a scattering of white (presumably blackthorn) on some bushes, so a hope of spring.

Arrived mid-morning in time for coffee at Unthank Road and a look around at the luxuriant orchid and other plants in their conservatory before setting off firstly to view Beccles. The river and sailing club at Beccles appeared largely unchanged; some very nice cruisers but some frightful motorboats, too. R had queried why an A for Amateur in Beccles Amateur Sailing Club, but that was told it was to be to do with the professionals on other parts of the river. The club’s 100th anniversary is due next year and all old members are invited back for regatta type celebrations. Lunch at Prezzo, an Italian restaurant in an ex-cinema in Beccles, very well designed with very interesting rustic bookcases. Came back past Waterloo and so diverted into the hamlet to admired Steve’s 25 year old plus car porch which is still standing. Admired Hassingham & Brundall Park railway stations which S had known in his long gone youth; much changed at H, no buildings! We used Reedham Ferry, a lovely chain link ferry over the Yare, with a hydraulic rise and fall system on its gates. Still run by the Archer family. We found a lamppost made out of chain links and wondered whether that was the old main chain or one used to raise and lower the gates. Watched a yacht come up to the railway bridge in Reedham itself. It had to wait until a train had gone over the bridge and then went through after the bridge had swung out of the way.

A leisurely & enjoyable lamb evening meal before bed.

Weather forecast not very promising but we were off after breakfast to visit a proper broad, Salhouse, where we could watch both river and broads traffic and a lovely selection of lovely ducks. Moss dog enjoyed racing around and having people to herd. We tried for lunch at Hickling broad, but just had a drink in the end. Watched house-martin/swallows chasing over the water, so another spring sound. We decided a visit to the coast was a must and raced past the wind turbines to bracing Winterton. Steve, naturally, managed to get wet trousers in the sea.

Back to Unthank for a lovely early supper of pork loin and salad. Drove back through sleety snow type weather in Woburn which had settled in the cars and grass to drop S&G at their house and then back home.