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Monday, 9th July 2018
The day begins cloudy, and, for once, in many days, indeed weeks, does not turn out to be sunny. Warm, humid and looking as if it is going to thunder, but, nothing happens!
Time to leave Sandringham.
We drive the 56 miles (not a dual carriageway in site) to Woodhall Spa Camping and Caravan Club Site (N53 9'11" W0 10'9").
Once a wartime RAF and Army Camp, now a campsite.
Once settled in, we cycle into Woodhall Spa village.
It is like stepping back into the 1940's ! Indeed, there was a "1940's re-enactment" over the weekend we are told. They would not have to do much "re-enacting"! Very quaint.
Woodhall Spa is famous for it's association with RAF 617 Squadron (the Dam Busters) of WW2 fame. We knew nothing of this of course, all credit to Google and Wikipedia!
Tuesday, 10th July 2018
The day starts cloudy, but, but lunch time, it is sunny, and a rather hot 24C.
We cycle to Horncastle and back, just over 11 miles.
Horncastle is another place which is like stepping back 50 years.
Very nice to see, hardly a National chain present (Tesco and Coop being the only ones I spot). Many small independent retailers populate the high street, however, as is the way with just about every high street throughout the UK, there is a big Charity Shop presence, never a good sign!
We have a coffee, and, I have a piece of excellent fruit cake, paid for by Kathleen. Otherwise, an unremarkable place. Very pleasant cycle ride however.
Wednesday, 11th July 2018
Yet again, the day begins cloudy, but, no rain, and, by mid-afternoon, it is yet another sunny and hot day.
Home, via a cross country route, taking in the impressive Humber Bridge.
Friday, 6th July 2018
Nature does it's bit, for the most important day of the week, ie "hair care day", it is a cool start, so hair-dryer wielding is made more bearable. By the time we are walking to the bus-stop, to catch the bus to Kings Lynn, it is a very warm 24C.
The bus stop locations and timetable here appear to be a closely guarded secret.
Kathleen, as is her way, asked at reception for directions to the nearest bus-stop, on Thursday evening. We followed the instructions, so we would be prepared for today. We did find a bus-stop, but, it was a long way off, and, involved walking along the busy A149, not pleasant, although, we did find a quieter and more pleasant return route, through the woods, which brought us out at the Campsite entrance.
Not content with the instructions we had been given, I consulted the OS map, and decided there was a nearer bus-stop. Basically, at the site entrance, ie where the entrance drive meets the small road which is also Cycle Route 1, turn left, walk to the junction with the A149 (about 3/4 mile), turn left, and walk to the small group of cottages and Social Club, there is a bus stop there. It would appear there are a choice of two buses at this stop (34 and 36).
Kathleen rarely if ever accepts that I can actually read a map, but, amazingly, she agreed to follow my route, and, even agreed it was much shorter, and easier than the route we were given at Reception.
Kings Lynn, is a reasonably pleasant place, a rather quaint Medieval section, with the nicely preserved buildings.
There is the inevitable Church, or, Minster, in this instance, "stolen" by Henry VIII, or, re-assigned to stop the Pope interfering in International affairs, depending on your point of view, and which version of History you got
at school.
There is also a modern shopping centre, a very good range of shops, if you like that kind of thing, but, otherwise, an act of vandalism, in my humble opinion.
We have a very pleasant light lunch, paid for by Kathleen, followed by the inevitable trail around the shops, I meet several bored husbands, and, Kathleen acquires a new "top".
For our return journey, we return to the bus station. There is a bus (35) boarding. My reading of Google etc, tells me it will take us where we wish to go, but, not to exactly the same bus-stop.
I am trusted again, twice in one day, not sure I can handle this.
It turns out to be an even better choice than this morning. The bus turns off the A149 and heads for West Newton, passing the Caravan and Motorhome Club site. There is a bus-stop at the entrance to the site. Get off there, walk through the site, between pitches 75 and 77, there is a walkway, to a gate, go through the gate, follow the well defined path and, you are at the Camping and Caravan Club site in 5 minutes.
Saturday, 7th July 2018
Another sunny day
We have "done" Kings Lynn on the bus, so, today, we decide we will cycle there (and back of course).
The route follows Sustrans Cycle Network Route 1 from the entrance of Sandringham Camping and Caravan Club Site , via Castle Rising, to Kings Lynn.
The cycle route is mostly off road, and of good quality, definitely well signposted!
We pause for Lunch in Castle Rising, on our return journey.
To round off our day, England beat Sweden to go to Semi-Finals or the Work Cup (Football).
Sunday, 8th July 2018
Yet another hot and sunny day 27C
Sunday, means church for Kathleen.
We cycle to Dursingham, St Cecelia RC Church. Having got our bearings, we take the short route, three miles, not eight!
Kathleen treats me to coffee and cake after she emerges from Church. If this is the effect church has, perhaps I should encourage daily attendance?
A leisurely Sunday lunch, and reading our books in while sitting in the sun.
Wednesday, 4th July 2018
The brilliant weather continues, dry, sunny and hot (22C), for an uneventful 216 mile drive to Sandringham Camping and Caravan Club Site, N52° 49.095' E0° 29.596'.
The only problem with going to almost anywhere in this part of the UK is the roads! You think you are almost there, as you leave the A1(M), but, then you have 70 miles (or more) or roads which do not seem to have been updated since the Romans built them for chariots! The A17 and A149 almost exclusively single carriageway, with large volumes of traffic.
We arrive mid afternoon, so, sitting in the sun followed by evening meal and red wine is the order of the day.
The site is typical Camping and Caravan Club, clean, organised, helpful and friendly staff.
First impressions are that it is a bit "remote", but, we will explore tomorrow, and review that opinion, perhaps.
We discover early in the morning, there appears to be an enormous population of Wood Pigeons, the noise of them "cooing" at dawn is enough to wake even me!
Thursday, 5th July 2018
Another scorching hot day, 29C!
Before the heat builds up, we go on our cycle ride. We thought Norfolk was a flat county, but, we appear to have chosen the area with hills!
Cycle to Sandringham, via the attractively named Donkey Pond Hill Lane, then on to Dursingham, for lunch at the very pleasant Coach and Horses.
Just over 11 miles, which is more than enough in this heat!
We have had a pleasant lunch, and, found the Catholic Church, for Kathleen, on Sunday. I do hope we can remember the short way back (ie 2.5 miles rather than 7 miles). There appears to be a distinct lack of road signs in this part of Norfolk.
Afternoon spent lying in the sun.
