Norfolk, Russdenill Lodge, West Beckham... continued 1

 Sunday, 6th September 2020.

This place is amazingly quiet, probably because it is half a mile from the village, and, the village is not exactly a metropolis.

Weather is cloudy, but dry. Forecast says, no rain, but rather cloudy with a little sun.

During our short walk of exploration, yesterday, we noticed that Sustrans Route 30 runs almost passed the entrance to the site.

We set off on the bicycles, the plan is to cycle to Cromer, then, along the coast, passed Sheringham, and then turn inland to return to West Beckham.

Norfolk is supposedly flat, the first thing we notice is, we go down some quite significant hills. This, of course, is good news, at the time, but, it also means there will be pay-back, if we are going down hill, at some point, there is going to be an "up"!.

We reach Cromer, no problem, and have a

coffee and cake stop. Cycling along the coast is not much fun, rather undulating, with a head wind, and, worst of all, lots of traffic. At West Runton, we encounter another little group of cyclists, who are rather lost, feeling superior, because, for once, we actually have. a map, we stop and allow them to study our map. 

Cycling along the coast is not much fun, so, we take the decision to turn in land at West Runton. We soon outpace the (younger) cyclists in the group, feeling even more smug. Then, we encounter what must be the biggest hill in Norfolk, we make it about 3/4 of the way

up, before we are reduced to walking, two of the other group of four make it to the top, show-offs!

A short stretch along the rather busy A147, then, we head downhill, followed, of course, by another up hill section.

Are the people who plot these cycle routes sadists, I wonder?

We eventually arrive back at the site, having cycled 15.22 miles, time for a beer, and a rest.

Monday, 7th September 2020

Weather forecast says cloudy with sun, and 17C, in reality, it is raining and 13C.

Hopefully, it will improve so we can make our planned cycle ride to nearby Holt.

Today is jinxed.

On the positive side, rain stops, at lunch time.

We set off on bicycles towards Holt, all easy going. Then, after only half a mile, a puncture in Kathleen's rear tyre.

I have the "gear" to fix it, but, only half a mile from "home" we decide we may as well walk back, do the job in comfort, and, have a coffee.

Inner tube exchanged, and, coffee drunk, we set off again.

The road sign, near Russdenill Lodge says "Holt 4 miles". 

A little over 5 miles, we arrive in Holt. This is because the cycle route takes a less direct route, to avoid the busy A148.

We have been given a guide to a walk around Holt, called "The Owl Trail", by of neighbours, who left earlier today.

Surprisingly, we have remembered to bring it (the Guide) with us. We park the bicycles and set off. Kathleen visits a couple of art galleries along the way, we only have one face mask with us, so, I must wait outside. Verdict, some very nice paintings, but, very expensive.

I am sure Holt is a very nice place, but, in the "Covid situation", there are queues to get into shops, browsing is not really possible, and, for some reason, most people walking about the streets, in the open air, are wearing face masks. All very intimidating, and, un-necessary, in my opinion.

We set off to cycle back.

I remember to take the left turn onto the cycle route (Route 30), but, somehow miss the next (right turn). 

As we peddle along, I know, we should come to a railway bridge, no bridge presents itself. 

Then, I can see the sea.

We should not be that near the coast.

We coast down a long hill (yes, another hill, in "flat" Norfolk), into Weybourne.

Recognising that we (well, I) have gone wrong, the fateful mistake is made not to retrace our steps to the missed turn, but, to head towards Sherringham, and find our way back to West Beckham from there, we have a map.

The doubtful bit is, we have to follow the A149 towards Sherringham, it is reasonably quiet, and wide enough to be comfortable, but, as we near Sherringham, it become increasingly busy, and, narrow, not comfortable. 

At last, we spot our turn-off, inland, towards Upper Sherringham.

The name gives a clue here "Upper", we have to peddle up yet another very steep and long hill, we are eventually reduced to walking.

It is apparent that we may as well have turned around and peddled up the hill at Weybourne.

Tempers are beginning to fray.

We eventually arrive in West Beckham, after just over 10 miles, so, what we thought was going to be an eight mile round trip, became a little over 16 miles (18 miles, if you include the walking tour of Holt).

I am not the most popular person.