We headed to Norfolk for a weekend with my stepmother Anne, Lizzie, and her husband. The weather was excellent, as was the food. Lizzie was going to work at Martham Ferry Day Boat Hire, so she took us both there. She was cleaning and checking the boats as they returned. We had coffee at their new coffee shop and then went for a walk. We headed toward the next boat hire and then inland. Along the way, we passed a farm where seven cats were sitting on the road. In another field, we spotted twenty swans resting in the grass.
When we returned to the boat hire, Lizzie was waiting for us, and we headed back to Norwich in her new Tesla.
The next day, we took a walk around Eaton Park, where the miniature train was taking people on a ride around the park. That evening we left for home. We had charged our Polestar courtsey of the Lizzie’s Telsa charger
I managed to book a short weekday camping trip (Monday night through Thursday night) to the Camping and Caravan club site in West Runton. It was impossible to book days that included the weekend. The school holidays, and the British Staycation this year conspired against late bookings. We also were unable to get an electric hook-up, so took the solar panel to keep the leisure battery charged. This campsite is in a wooded area with a long dirt track down to the site. We were shown around the site, viewing several potential spots, choosing one that was about 100 metres from the loos and children’s playground. Interestingly during the course of the week, the row we parked on became a complete row of VM campervans. How good is that!!!
This was the first time we have booked a campsite in school holidays, and were fearing the place would be overrun with screaming kids. Yes there were many children, and they were enjoying themselves, but you could easily block them out and come 11pm, there was total silence. Not at all bad, and in future we won’t actively block out school holidays.
Four-legged pets are permitted. R was thrilled to find a tortoise and a hamster.
Our neighbours had stayed in a campsite here a few weeks ago. They gave us some tips.
Tuesday – Cromer and West Runton
The next day we walked to the coast at West Runton, via Incleborough Hill to look over the sea. From here you could see numerous, alarming other campsites and holiday homes. The nearest one to us was the Caravan and Motorhome club site. There is a footpath through this site, allowing us alien campers to walk through their site to West Runton.
We walked down the hill to the sea, where we watched a couple of huge motorhomes trying to turn around after ignoring the height restriction signs at the entry to the lane. A difficult manoeuvre as they were turning on a steep slipway into the sea. Some skidding of tyres on the concrete as they attempted to extract themselves from their predicament. But, they succeeded. Did not find any fossils here.
Lunch time, we headed back to the Village Inn for a drink and some food. Absolute disaster, they had beer, and a large menu of food, with only two items on, sausage rolls being the highlight of their menu. Very poor show. We asked if it was a Covid or Brexit problem, Not sure we were answered.
Being OAPs we headed for the bus stop and caught a bus to Cromer where we went in search of the Banksy. Thankfully someone had put its location onto Google Maps. It was quite a way from Cromer Pier, so 800 meters east, just beyond the beach huts. Good position, only those who really wanted to see it would be bothered to walk that way. R found bits of belemnites & a witches stone. Our neighbours had done better.
Back to West Runton on the bus and a coffee and cream tea in the Hole in One Sports Bar. Yet not quite up to scratch, two scones, but a minute amount of clotted cream and jam. Then the walk up the hill, and a BBQ for supper.
Wednesday – Felbrigg Hall
Today we went for a walk to the National Trust house of Felbrigg Hall. This was a circular walk which took us through woods, past active quarries, down farm tracks and through parkland to the hall. We managed our weekly Sadgits zoom call near a heavy plant crossing. We had to mute the call each time a load of extracted sand was driven past us. We had lunch in the Hall’s café and then viewed the house.
There was a huge walled garden in the grounds. This was definitely the highlight. Never seen such huge buddleia flowers. It would be well worth coming and viewing at different times of the year.
Finally we set off again to complete the walk back to the campsite, the route back was shorter (much to R’s relief).
Tonight the fish and chip van was on site. The chips were fabulous, Rosemary wished she had chosen some. The big snag was I waited 90 minutes in a queue by which time it was getting dark & chilly.
Thursday – North Norfolk Railway
Today we headed off the Sheringham on the bus via West Runton. We arrived at the North Norfolk Railway (The Poppy Line) and purchased tickets for the heritage steam line. It is quite a short trip, stopping at a couple of stations before terminating in Holt. Here we had a long walk to the centre of the town, but not until after checking out the 1930s decorated “house” built from a railway carriage complete with a lean-to, which had R crooning.
Well worth the walk, because we passed the public school of Greshams, which seemed to go on for ever and ever. Wonder how much the fees are? Bonus for parents, they take kids from 2 to 18.
Holt was busy, and the recommended (neighbours) Folly Tearoom was full, complete with a queue. Another would-be customer asked if the café took bookings. Only in advance, said the young waitress. We gave up. Instead we went to Bywfrds for lunch. After lunch a little grockling, and then bus back to Holt for the return trip. We did visit the delightful museum on the platform while we waited.
At Sheringham we walked down to the sea, huge strong wind. The town was also very busy. Interesting display of Tintin in one of the shops. Back to the bus stop and a walk back to our campsite. Started the BBQ for another steak. We were doing our cooking on charcoal. The status of the gas was low, and there was no possibility of buying a replacement gas cylinder. The Staycation has created many new campers, who had bought up all the cylinders during the previous months. (Actually did find Calor Gas in the very local farm equipment shop when we got home.)
Martham and Norwich
Today we packed up and were heading home. First stop was to see friends cum relatives on the way home. So headed to Martham where step-brother Nick has a boatyard and rents out electric day boats and beautiful wooden sail Broads-cruisers. Step-sister Liz was there too. Both very busy helping clients. Before arriving we stopped for lunch at the Poppyland Tearoom. This stop was by chance, we had intended to go to the nearby Nelson pub. Not closed, but looked a bit Covid/Brexit hit, selling food and drinks through a hatch. Backtracked to the Tearoom we had just passed. This was themed Dad’s Army style with unexploded bomb, and Anderson shelters. The food was served army style. Check out my cappuccino decoration. all brilliant. You may see a theme, Poppy line, and Poppy tearoom. This area of Norfolk was well know for growing poppies.
Afterwards we stopped off in Norwich to see step-mum Ann & Liz’s partner Bob. We were shown their newly landscaped garden. Landscaped by Bob and Liz. It was a remarkable change and must have looked even better earlier in the year.
Visited Norwich for a couple of nights. The main purpose was to hear Liz sing in the Carol Service held at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist. This was not a service, no prayers, just singing Carols. Some audience participation with popular carols. There were other obscure and complicated pieces which were sung exclusively by the choirs. The Carols service was performed by three choirs from The University of East Anglia. They are The UEA Choir, The UEA Chamber Choir and The UEA Community Choir.
During the day we walked over to the UEA buildings and visited the Sainsbury Centre to admire the sculptures on display, including an Antony Gormley. Spot it in the pictures!
The weather was said to be good, so it was time to get Morrison out for a little outing. The Camping and Caravan Clubsite at Sandringham had just open for the year, so why not see what Queenie was up to? The club site is on the estate and is in easy walking distance of the visitor centre and restaurant.
Before we arrived at the campsite, we paid a visit to Sandringham visitor centre for some lunch. Of course, we had chosen half term, and the place was heaving with offspring. The restaurant good, Rosemary ate veggie (which she said was the best risotto she’d had), while I dined on Sandringham pheasant. Had mine been shot by Prince Phillip?
After lunch, we headed off to do some bird spotting at RSPB Snettisham. Here we parked in the free car park and then walked alongside several fishing ponds, and eventually made it to The Wash. There were several hides to view from. Nothing spectacular bird wise to see, other than a few Mallards and Shags. On the evening walk back to the car the tide was coming in and there were some large flocks of waders taking off, flying around and landing on fresh mudflats that had yet to be inundated with the rising tide. Good to see.
We now drove to the campsite, checked in and set up home for the next couple of nights. Huge site, not all visible from one place, and took quite a while to walk around. Good to find that the wifi was free, and it worked pretty well for web browsing.
In the morning we walked into Sandringham through the woods. Here we had a coffee and then viewed the chainsaw sculptures and discovered Norfolk Rocks. All the kids were searching for Norfolk Rocks, we had never heard of them before. After this excitement, we went to the Sandringham restaurant for lunch. Again I ate pheasant, and R ate the vegetarian dish. We washed the meal down with a very nice bottle of New Zealand wine. Oh yes we had puddings as well.
After lunch we walked back to the Campsite on another route and arrived home in time for tea.
The next day we packed up and headed home. We tried a couple of tourist spots on the way home, first was Castle Rising. This has one of the deepest dry moats I have seen, and incredibly steep slopes into it from the castle side and the surrounding countryside.
The next spot was the sluice gates on the Great River Ouse Relief Channel. Google found a route to the gates, unfortunatley Google maps had not factored in the locked gate to the power station.
Now it was off home after our brief stay away. The rain held off, the promised sun was not as much as it should have been, and it definitely was not as warm as it had been predicted. A week later and it would have been warmer.
Back at home, we were welcomed by a huge display of starlings. They congregated in our poplar trees. Some landed and fed on our field, and did that bit where birds on one side fly over the other birds and land on the other side. Eventually, the birds moved off to the trees on the other side of the road, and I assume then flew off to Otmoor.
We went for a couple of night to Norwich to see Bob, Lizzie and Ann. While there, we walked around the very local to them Eaton Park and sat on the new park bench which those at 410 had bought.
Rosemary and I visited Ann & Liz in Norwich for an amazing couple of nights. We took our own bed, Morrison the campervan, because the house was full with the residents plus Bob’s daughter and her son, who were also visiting.
The weather treated us well with yet more sun. Ann’s grass was brown from the drought, Earlham Park almost looked like a desert. Were the newly planted trees in the park going to survive? The cost of planting them versus then never watering them in the drought, was a tad odd.
On our second evening we went to watch an amateur production of Tomfoolery,(a musical revue based on the lyrics and music by American mathematician, songwriter, and satirist Tom Lehrer), at Sewell Barn Theatre. Very ably produced with magnificent performance from the cast. I soon understood the meaning of the many pigeon decoys scattered around the theatre. Only downside was the small theatre which was rather warm.
Earlier in the day we had gone to Martham Ferry Boat yard to see the work which Nick had been doing. He is building new electric day boats for hire, and of course hiring them out. We went for a cruise to Hickling Broad, then back and up to Horsey Mere. We were in one of his diesel-powered boats, all the electric boats having been hired out before we arrived. We did come across one of Nick’s electric boats; it glid silently past us like a ghost.
We visited Ann, Liz & Bob in Norwich and stayed a couple of nights. On the drive over we stopped at Eaton Socon and had a coffee in a pub called The Rivermill. This was a converted mill building on The Great Ouze. They were quite happy to serve coffee, In fact they seemed to have a morning coffee and-cake special running. Rosemary was quite taken with some flats overlooking the river. Nothing was as we remembered it. We then drove past are old house, 183 Great North Road, which was still standing as was the Leylandii Hedge that I planted in the front in the late ’70s.
We stopped in the park by the river in St Neots and ate our picnic lunch before heading on to Norwich. As we had plenty of time we stopped off at Grimes Graves. These are prehistoric flint mines in the Brecklands. I last visited then in the ’60s and Rosemary had never seen them. You can still go down one of the mines. There are a couple of others which have been excavated. The landscape outside is Breckland grass, but here there are lots of round dips caused by the pits. There are many pits which all apparently inter-join below ground.
On to Norwich where we all went to the theatre to watch The Play that Goes Wrong. A comedy about a play that goes wrong from beginning to end. This had been recommended to us. Amazing timing by the actors as scenery fell down around them. An audience member got to the stage of laughing where they just squeaked intermittently.
The next day, we raced off to my favourite online camera shop. I’d never seen the bricks & mortar shop. Later, we accompanied Bob on a walk to the local Waitrose via the club where he plays golf. Lovely scenery and very edible wild cherries. Expanding our local geography even further, In the afternoon, we took a walk in Eaton Park, where Liz jogs. A huge park in Norwich which was created after the First World war. It has a large boating pond, and tracks for miniature railways. Despite going to school in Norwich, I had never been to either place.
On the Saturday we returned via Cambridge for the Caius benefactors May week garden party where we met up with Richard and Andrea. (And yes, it was June, but that’s Cambridge for you.)
Early September we travelled to Norfolk to see Mike and Ann. The weather was glorious, especially on the day we visited Walsingham, the Abbey and Wells-next-the-Sea. The Abbey was weird, it is a pilgrimage site with people pilgriming there from all over Britain. We had lunch in a pub, and then drove over to Wells-next-the-Sea. Not there for long, though managed to get a picture of the offshore wind farm which looks a little unusual with the way mirage has bent the turbine blades down at sea level. No this was not a time lapse exposure.
This weekend we spent a lovely weekend in Norfolk at my Father’s and Ann’s home in Norwich. On arrival we were whisked off for lunch at the Ship Inn at South Walsham where there seemed to be a groom’s pre-wedding drinks party. We ate outside in the sun, waiting for the forecast rain which never arrived.
Next onto Ranworth Broad where we had a pre-booked trip on the private broad in an electric boat. Being somewhat early, we had time to visit the church of St Helen. This contains the greatest rood screen in East Anglia. It stretches right across the church, aisles and nave. The tower was also open, so Stephen (that is the author) climbed the very narrow spiral stair case to the top and snapped some images from the tower.
Then on to Ranworth Broad in the electric boat to view birds. I took some pictures, not the greatest, will have to purchase one of those mega paparazzi lenses or get nearer to the birds. Anyway saw some Terns, Grebes, Cormorants, Herons, a flash of a Kingfisher, ducks and gulls.
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.
