Showing posts with label Norfolk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norfolk. Show all posts

Tuesday 12 September 2023

Elm Croft CL, Rockland St Peter, Norfolk, NR17 1UL (N52.539974 E0.922318) Contd...

Monday, 11th September 2023

It would appear that "Normal Service", or, at least "Normal Weather" has been resumed. This morning is cloudy, 13c with a slight breeze, and, a definitive Autumn feel.


Today, we will have to pack to leave tomorrow, but, before loading the bicycles, we decide to do a short cycle ride.

The plan is to cycle route which we walked a couple of days ago, to Little Ellingham, The instructions in the information must say it is four miles, but, I suspect it is a little further.

Knowing that we were to cycle a route which we already knew, I dispensed with taking the cycling map.


Off we go, and arrive in Little Ellingham, three miles later.

At this point, the plan unravels.

Kathleen suggests we cycle a little further.

I point out that I did not bring the map with me, and, the road she proposes to follow, is a road we have not cycled before.

The only bright spot is, the signposting says the road leads to Great Ellingham, which, we have been to before (it was the place we ate


on Thursday).

Accordingly, we arrive in Great Ellingham, although not in an area we recognise.

We do come to a signpost to Rocklands, although, it is not as I remember from Thursday last, but, in the absence of anything better (like a map), we follow the signposting.

It is a pleasant and quiet road, so, perfect for cycling along. 


Only one doubtful cross roads, google says turn right, the signposting says go straight on. 

Fortunately, there is a dog-walker passing, and, he assures us, the signposting is right, and, he tells us, reassuringly, and, with a note of pleasure in his voice, we have a long hill to climb. 

Eventually, it does bring us to a junction with the road which passes through Rocklands (the B1107), but, do we turn left, or right? 

There is no signposting, so, Google to the rescue.


Grumbling has started now, and, although I am pretty sure we are almost back at the campsite, it is, of course, my fault, that we don't know precisely where we are, and, that the four mile outing has morphed into just over 9 miles!

But, here we are, at Rocklands, with only about 1 mile to go.


Tuesday, 12th September 2023

Cloudy and grey day, still mild at 17c, but, not as inviting as the sunshine and blue skies we have become used to.


Today, should have been the day we travelled home, but, Kathleen decided that driving here in one stretch had been a bit to much, for poor old me, as always, being a woman, she is probably right.

A couple of days ago, on the internet, I spotted that a CL near Lincoln (Sky Barn Farm CL, Haddington, Lincolnshire, LN5 9FL; 53.166853 -0.637868), which gets rave reviews, had vacancies, so, I booked a couple of nights there, just to true it out.

Today, we travel the approximately 95 miles to Sky Barn Farm CL. As we head North, we run into torrential rain, the journey is mostly small country lanes, or, what passes for a main road in Norfolk and Lincolnshire (ie single carriageway A47, A17, A15).


It is still raining heavily when we arrive, just after midday, I get soaked just hooking up to the waste water connection and EHU point.

The place is incredibly well organised, online booking system, all information Emailed to you, including access code for the gate, and WiFi password. The owner (Nicola) did show her face to ensure there was nothing further we needed, just the right level of friendly and helpful. Approach to the place is straightforward, even in this dismal weather.


  




Sunday 10 September 2023

Elm Croft CL, Rockland St Peter, Norfolk, NR17 1UL (N52.539974 E0.922318) Contd...

Saturday, 9th September 2023

The weather forecasters are beginning to say, this will all end soon in a thunderstorm. Well it has to, doesn't it, this is three, or possibly four hot sunny days in a row, unprecedented for the UK!

For today, however, it continues, 30c and sunny.


An approximately 12 mile cycle ride. Rocklands St Peter - Caston - Griston - Watton - Carbrooke - Rocklands St Peter. Realistically, it was far too hot to do this.

One of the downsides of this area is, although there are pretty little villages, every 3 or 4 miles, very few of them have pubs. We passed only one pub today, and, that was closed!


Sunday, 10th September 2023

Another hot day to begin, but, clouds begin to build in the evening, rain coming?

We have had a fairly energetic few days, despite the heat.

Today is a "do nothing day".


The original plan was Sunday Carvery at The White Hart, in the village. 

However, when I tried to book a table, I was informed that the usual Sunday Carvery was cancelled, because of the hot weather. 

Instead, they are doing BBQ food and Pizza.

The pub is only about a mile away, so, a short cycle ride.







 

Friday 8 September 2023

Elm Croft CL, Rockland St Peter, Norfolk, NR17 1UL (N52.539974 E0.922318) Contd...

Thursday, 7th September 2023

Similar morning to yesterday, misty start, and 14c, by 09:00, the sun is beginning to burn off the mist, and 28c is promised.

The plan today is to have lunch at The Crown, Great Ellingham. Great Ellingham is only approximately three miles from Rocklands St Peter, not really enough for an interesting cycle ride.


Accordingly, We (well, I) decide to cycle to Great Ellingham via a circuitous route, with the intention of clocking up approximately 13-15 miles.

In the event, we have to endure 30c temperatures, we run out of drinking water, and, we do just over 17 miles before we arrive for lunch at The Crown, Great Ellingham.

There is a certain degree of complaining.

Lunch was very enjoyable, and, the waitress/barmaid was suitably impressed by two elderly cyclists who arrived for lunch, after 17+ miles, in 30c heat.

Friday, 8th September 2023

More cloud cover today, but, still hot at 28c, and, no breeze.

After yesterday's big cycling extravaganza, I decide against suggesting more cycling to Kathleen.

There are local walks listed in the site information hut.


We elect to do a walk which is listed as 4 miles.

This is already ambitious, given my foot/ankle/achilles tendon problems, and, the heat.

In the event, the four mile estimate is low (I did notice it had previously been listed at 8 miles,  but, had been snowpaked out and amended to 4 miles. Well, we clocked up 6 miles.

This was not a wise decision, I can hardly walk this evening.

TV schedules are disrupted this evening, Rugby World Cup, if I were at home, I would be out with the boys. Instead, I have borrowed a selection of DVDs from the site information hut, hopefully, there will be something among them to keep us both amused.


Wednesday 6 September 2023

To Rockland St Peter, Norfolk, UK

Tuesday, 5th September 2023


At this time of year, garden should not require much looking after.








I do hope these flowers survive my absence. 

They have thrived so far, despite total neglect. 

At the end of last summer, I put them in the (unheated) greenhouse, then, forgot to water them, or, indeed do anything to them for the. 4 or 5 winter months. 

Come spring, they looked dead, but, they have come back to life and produced lots of flowers.



Elm Croft CL, Rockland St Peter, Norfolk, NR17 1UL (N52.539974 E0.922318) 


Quite a distance. Norfolk is always deceptive, Norwich is effectively as far as London, from Newcastle. Quite a reasonable drive, despite the heat, and, the on-going road works at Darrington.

Just to add a final complication, a couple of local roads are closed, for some reason, this causes great confusion to the Sat-Nav, and, irritation to the driver, after 274 miles!

We don't arrive until 16:00, despite an early start.

All appears satisfactory, pleasant place, all organised and tidy, only one other visitor here at the moment (caravaner).

Although it is late afternoon, it is 25c and full sunshine.

Wednesday, 6th September 2023

The day begins with some mist, and, a modest 13c, but, by noon, it is 29c.


We do a cycle ride, too. explore the immediate area.

The first thing we find is that the road closed signs are a joke. The actual road closure is about two miles passed the "Road Closed" signs, and, the closure is for a stretch of about 20 metres. The locals are simply removing the plastic barriers, driving through, then, replacing the barriers. We don't even need to do that, on our bicycles, we just manoeuvre around the barriers.


We cycle quite a circuit, given the heat, Rocklands St Peter - Little Ellingham - Hingham - Scoulton - Rocklands St Peter.

The only disappointment is, that none of the villages have a pub, we have to wait until we get back to Rocklands St Peter, but, then, The Whit Hart is closed until this evening, so, we retire to the village Community Shop for coffee, sandwiches and cake.

The afternoon is spent keeping cool!







    



Wednesday 27 April 2022

Time to move on, Barn Owl Meadows next

Tuesday, 26th April 2022


Today, we leave Norfolk Broads CAMC Site and head for Barn Owl Meadow CL (N
52.305835, E0.985973), Suffolk.

Only approximately 50 miles to go, and we have a very leisurely morning, packing up etc, with arrival time at Barn Owl Meadow set at not before 12:00 lunchtime, there is nothing to be gained by rushing.

The place is easy to find, and is appears to be very well set up.


It also appears to be very rural. We have a brief stroll, to get our bearings, definitely no shop or pub within immediate walking distance, but, I think there should be within cycling distance.

Activity today limited to a short walk (2.19 miles), to get our bearings.







Wednesday, 27th April 2022

Dull and cloudy, only 9C, definitely the worst day, so far, weather wise. It even has a little shower, as I am unloading the bicycles.


By shortly after lunchtime, we decide it is OK to venture out for a little bicycle exploring.

The main objective is to find a shop, to replenish some supplies, not essential, today, which is just as well, because we didn't find a shop.

The village of Walsham-le-Willows looks promising, the village website describes is at a "vibrant village". 


Well, it may be "vibrant", but, it doesn't have a shop. 

It does have two pubs (one permanently closed, and two churches. 

The C of E church, St Mary's, is quite impressive, and, only 2-3 miles cycle ride from Barn Owl Meadows CL, but, the Sunday service is at 8:00am! I don't think that is going to work for Kathleen, although, I do offer to set the alarm for 06:30am.

We clock up just over 11 miles, we could have

made a circular route, but, chicken out at cycling along the A143, after watching the traffic speed by for a few minutes. We only have "the view from the rear", because I forgot to press record on the front facing camera.

Not uptown our usual 16-20 mile rides, but, another little bit towards our self-imposed 150 miles / month target, just slightly over 30 miles to go, to achieve the target.































 

Monday 25 April 2022

Norfolk Broads CAMC Site (N52.70036 E1.51371).... contd.....

Saturday, 23rd April 2022

 Blue sky and sunshine, but, like yesterday, a very stiff breeze (20mph) from the North East making it feel a tad cool.

A walking day today.


Last time we were here, we cycled to a place called St Benet's Abbey. , we did a "there and back" route, at that time.

Today, reading the site information, I noticed there is a circular walk listed, and, yesterday, when cycling, I recall noticing the signpost to the walk, beside Ludham Bridge.

So, that is our walk for today, 3.36 miles, somewhat spoiled by the strong wind, blowing across the flat landscape.

St Benet's Abbey seems somewhat mysterious, it is unclear when it was first founded, but, King Canute (of holding back the tide fame) appears to have been involved. By the 12th Century, is was a flourishing and wealthy place. It seems that, somehow, it escaped being closed by Henry VIII in Tudor times, but, still, most of it's buildings disappeared shortly after the dissolution of the Monasteries. As someone of a sceptical frame of mind, I naturally suspect some skulduggery between the local Bishop and Henry.

Sunday, 24th April 2022

Blue sky and sunshine again, but, the wind from the North East is even stronger and colder, supposedly 14C, but, it doesn't feel that warm!


Sunday, so, Kathleen has to do her Church Duty. 

There is no Catholic Church within cycling distance, so, it has to be an online Mass or the C of E Church in Ludham (St Catherine's). 

Well, according to Google, the church dates from the 14th Century, at least the West Tower does. 

Therefore, it would have been a Catholic Church, before the wicked Henry VIII stole it, so, almost as good (history with a Catholic spin).

There is even a niche in the wall of the tower, where, presumably, a statue once stood, see photograph below.




A short cycle ride, only 3.47 miles. 

Only 10:00am, pubs not open, no coffee shop, so, I while away the hour touring the Church Yard.





Monday, 25th April 2022.

Dull and cool start to the day.


I use the Cycle.travel website to download a circular 17 mile route for our cycle ride today. When comparing it to my Sustrans Cycle map, I am puzzled, because at Horning, the downloaded route shows a crossing over the river, which is not shown on the map.

We set off for Horning, and, all becomes clear, it is a ferry crossing, the bad news is, at this time of year, it only operates at weekends! The alternative is a lengthy detour via Wroxham.

I don't think that turning a 17. mile route into a 37 mile route is going to go down well with Kathleen, especially since it begins to rain (fortunately, only a brief shower, it turns out).

Instead, we cobble together a ride taking in St Benedicts Church, Horning, and, then, a shopping trip (for milk) to Ludham, giving us 8.92 Miles. Ludham Bridge - Horning - Ludham - Ludham Bridge. 

Not quite what we had planned but, still a few more miles towards our monthly cycling target of 150 miles, we have only 43 miles to go, and five days in which to do it.

Just to ensure that todays outing is not too easy, I convince Kathleen to follow a small track through St Benedicts Church yard, signposted "Staithes", on the basis that is may be an alternative route to allow us to follow our original route. It turns out to be a very narrow track, too narrow to cycle, so, we have to walk, which just leads us to the river, but, no further.


 


Friday 22 April 2022

Norfolk Broads CAMC Site (N52.70036 E1.51371).... contd.....

Thursday, 21st April 2022

Blue sky, sunshine, 9C, with 14C promised as the high.


After yesterday's 20 miles, a day off from the cycling, so walking.

A 4.6 mile circuit, from Ludham Bridge, along the River Ant, to How Hill, then, back via Whitegates to Ludham Bridge.

A refreshment break at The Dog Inn, pub, next to the Camp Site.

The Dog Inn is advertised as "an award winning pub", and, in addition to meals and drinks, has a small Camping Area for Caravans and Motorhomes. Our verdict, fine, for a drink, but, I don't think we would want to stay there, and, for tomorrow's "eating out" plans, I think we will take pot luck elsewhere.

Friday, 22nd April 2022

Blue sky and sunshine, but, a very stiff breeze (20mph) from the North East making it feel a tad cool.


The plan today is to cycle to a village called Neatishead, and, have lunch at the pub there.

We stumbled upon this place about a year ago, after one of the Covid lockdowns, but, before pubs and eateries had fully re-opened. At that time, the pub was closed, and, we had to content ourselves with coffee and cake at the village coffee shop cum village store.

Today, I work out a route to give us 10-15 mile cycle ride, with a stop for lunch. Ludham Bridge - Horning - Neatishead - Barton Turf - Neatishead - Hoveton - Horning - Ludham Bridge. , which eventually gives us 15.55 miles.


The extra bit to Barton Turf is necessary because we make better time than anticipated, wind is not in our face, and, The White Horse Inn is not open, when we arrive in Neatishead.

So, pleasant and quiet half hour sitting in the Church yard of St Michael's and All Angels, just absorbing the silence.

The White Horse Inn is a pleasant surprise, from the outside, it looks like a very small, quaint pub, but, inside, it is surprisingly spacious, and, tastefully modern. 


Food was very good, and, an extensive range of real ales, no complaints.

Our return journey is not so pleasant, the wind has become even stronger, and, for the most part, we are riding into the wind, on the return journey. 




Wednesday 20 April 2022

To Norfolk Broads CAMC Site (N52.70036 E1.51371)

 Tuesday, 19th April 2022

A "spring getaway" after Easter, hopefully, the crowds will have gone home.


Usual pre-departure garden tidying.

I doubt Claire will need to cut the lawn, unless the temperatures rise significantly, of course, we are hoping for nice warm weather, sorry Claire, you may be "lucky" and get cold weather in Newcastle, while we enjoy warmth in Norfolk.

We enjoyed this site, last time we were here (June 2021), but, it is was not a pleasant journey last time, and, it wasn't a good journey this time, massive traffic jam at Sutton Bridge, on A17 (Bridge repairs), and, then, another hold up, accident on A47. 


Having left home at 09:00, we arrive 263 miles later at 15:30.

The good news is, dry and sunny, but, not too warm, at 15C, so, ideal travelling weather.

First opportunity to "test" the new 3 Router (ZTE MF286D, for the geeks).

It does work better (ie faster and better signal) than the "old" Huawei Router. Just have to get it to work on 12v now and all will be well.



Wednesday, 20th April 2022

A dry and sunny start to the day, a cool 9C, but, warming to 14C by 11:00.


A cycling day, we do a 20 mile circuit, making it up as we (well, I) go along. 

The CAMC Site is next to Ludham Bridge, we cycle into Ludham, mostly via a quiet back road, then, to Catfield and Stalham, before heading for Potter Heigham via Hinkling Broad, where we stop for a picnic lunch.

It is almost all on quiet country lanes, just a couple of major roads to cross, but, nothing scary.

We even manage to average just over ten miles per hour, which is slightly faster than our usual nine miles per hour. It must be the new, more expensive padded knickers I bought for Kathleen, doing their job.














In the afternoon, it is warm enough to sit outside, enjoying the sunshine.