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 (N52.305835, 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.

 

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.

 

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. 

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.

Norfolk Broads CAMC Site (N52.70036 E1.51371), continued...

 Friday, 11th June 2021

Sunny with cloud, 24C, but, with a stiff breeze. Despite the cloud and the breeze, it is very warm.

A combination of having cycled a lot this week, plus the breeze, means we opt to walk.

Five and a half miles.

we manage to make a more or less circular walk, to Ludham Bridge, then, follow the river and footpath to How Hill.

Brief stop for picnic lunch and ice cream.

Then follow a small lane to Johnson Street (Ludham), then back to Ludham Bridge.

How Hill is an interesting place, a mooring place (free) for people cruising the broads,

very attractive grounds and forest walks (free). 

Donations accepted of course, and, there are items for sale, (ice cream, guide books, "novelties"). But, unusual, in my experience, to find something so attractive, in a tourist area, which is not "cashing in". Am I growing cynical in my old age?

This being Norfolk, obligatory photograph of windmill, and swan. Swan would not pose correctly, so, I didn't give it any bread. 

Saturday, 12th June 2021

An odd day today. Forecast is only for 19C, and, according to my phone, it is 19C, with a stiff breeze, but, it still feels very warm.

A short cycle ride in the morning (10.8 miles). Ludham Bridge - Ludham - Womak - Potter Heigham - Ludham - Ludham Bridge. 

The rest of the day a combination of lazing in the sun, and packing away in preparation for leaving tomorrow.

Sunday, 13th June 2021

A bright and sunny morning, 24C plus is the forecast.

Kathleen's traffic jam beating plan has us up at 7:00am.

Ablutions completed, final packing done, and ready to go at 07:45 (minus breakfast).

Breakfast is taken just north of Kings Lynn.

Approximately 270 miles to home, and, Kathleen's plan more-or-less works out, there are no holdups in the road works (I use that term loosely, no work is evident), on the A47, but, we do encounter a few stop-start stretches on the A1M, sheer volume of traffic it would appear.

Norfolk Broads CAMC Site (N52.70036 E1.51371), continued...

 Wednesday, 9th June 2021

Clear blue sky, not a cloud to be seen, and 26C.

I have a route to "bag" my "N" for the CycleChat ABC Towns and Villages Challenge. A place called Neatishead,  just over 5 miles away.

After a short distance on the A1062 from the site, we are on small lanes, through Horning, and on to Neatishead. 

We don't know it yet, but, the small lanes will be our (or my) undoing. 

The village sign is a bit neglected, almost missed it, with all of the growth on the verge obscuring it.

There is a much more imposing "traditional" sign, in the village centre, we discover.

There is a pub, The White Horse Inn, but, it appears to be closed, so, we take our selves off to the "village community shop", which has tables arranged outside, and, serves coffee etc.

A couple of locals (women or a certain age), who appear to be just sitting having a chat, but, have the prime shady seats, kindly move, to give us visitors the prime seats.

Surprise, surprise, one of them has connections to Newcastle (son went to university there). She is a fund of (local) knowledge, explaining to us how the shop was bought, and is run, by the community, mostly volunteers. While we are there, a large wagon arrives (how did he get along the small lane we rode along?), and delivered two large pallets, full of various stock. The driver drops the pallets off, and leaves. The two elderly ladies set to to move the stock into the shop, when I offer to help, I am told "re-enforcements" are en-route, and, sure enough, a few minutes later, a small group of villagers arrive to help move the stock into the shop.

I have only plotted a route here, no return. This is going to prove to be a mistake.

We set off, to retrace our steps, or, should I say peddles?

At some point in the labyrinth of small lanes, without signposts, my memory would appear to have failed me, because we emerge onto a main road, which I was expecting), but, I am not sure it is the correct main road (Nrwich Road), or, if it is, we are at the correct junction.

My (faulty) memory says turn right, then left

into School Road, which we do. It does not look right, so, we back track to Norwich Road, and ride further, the theory being, we have turned off too early.

We come to this rather magnificent church (Parish Church of Beeston St Lawrence), by the roadside, at the brow of a hill.

All very interesting, but, it proves we are going the wrong way, we definitely did not pass this, on our outward journey. That, I would have noticed, and remembered!

So, back to School Road, on the assumption it MUST be the correct turn (wrong, again, it turns out.

To make matters worse, I have come out, without my phone, so, cannot consult the all knowing Google. 

We eventually emerge from School Road, at another junction, three choices (four, if you include the one we came from), and, no idea which one to choose.

Kathleen's phone is brought into action, we (I)

admit defeat, and fire up Google Maps, to guide us back to Ludham Bridge, which of course, it does without fault.

We stop off en-route, in Horning, for ice cream, and, to sit in the shade, watching the boats go by.

Eventually, we return to the campsite (Ludham Bridge).

A grand total of just over 16 miles, 5.5 miles there, so, by a deduction, 11.5 miles back. 

A bit of a roundabout route, but, I suppose I can claim it was meant to be a circular route? 

Kathleen is gracious enough to say she enjoyed it.

Thursday, 10th June 2021

The forecast says sunny and 25C, but, what we actually have is sunny with cloud, and only 23C.

There is a partial eclipse of the sun today, hopefully, the cloud cover will not be so much that we don't see it!

It does cloud over, and we don't see the eclipse.

Basically, a lazy day.

We peddle along to Horning (6 miles, there and back), for lunch.

Our first choice, The Swan, is full.

Second choice, The New Inn, we get a table. Another indifferent meal. It would appear Norfolk is not the place to come if you want a decent meal and a bit of service.

`Sun returns by 16:00, so, lazing in the sun follows.

A bit of wildlife action, on my Trail Camera.

 

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

 Monday, 7th June 2021

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

Cloudy start, although, 17C, soon sunny and 21C.

An exploratory cycle ride to Ludham (about 2 miles away, but, just under 6, with our exploring). 

As we left the site, were behind two much younger cyclists (middle 50's at most, I would guess), both on electric bikes. After about half a mile, they stopped to let us pass, because, and I quote, we were going too fast for them. Not bad for two pensioners 73/74 years old ;)

We discover two pubs, which will require further investigation, The Dog Inn is nearest and walkable. The Kings Arms is in Ludham village, a bit further, but, cyclable or walkable.

Things must come in twos here, because, there are two shops. Shops have basic, but, not fresh fruit/vegetable. We do note a sign for someone selling fruit and vegetable, but, I suspect, it is from a garden or allotment, something else to investigate.

A bonus is, I get the "L" (Ludham) for my Cyclechat ABC of Towns and Villages Challenge, that is an easy one, at only two miles, compared to some.

We also discover a place called Womak Staithes. There is a shop, jokingly (I assume), called the Big Shop, a rather scenic area for boats to tie up, and a couple of small campsites, one a CAMC CL, Womak Water, the other a Camping and Caravan Club CS, Manor Lodge. 

After lunch, and, an hour or two lazing in the sun, the exploration continues.

We follow the sign post to the fruit and vegetable sales.

Not. exactly a supermarket, but, rather, someone's garden. 

There are a few cabbages, cauliflower and tomatoes. Perhaps, you have to be here earlier in the day?

We press-on along the lane, which is an alternative route to Ludham, a little longer I suspect, but, quieter and probably a good bet when cycling.

There are also signposts to St Benet's Abbey, which may be worth a visit, on another day.

Tuesday, 8th June 2021

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

A sunny and warm start to the day, 17C at 09:00 and 25C+ promised for later today.

We need a small amount of shopping (fresh fruit etc), and I have plotted a route to Martham, which has a small COOP, and, just happens to begin with an "M".

I don't mention this coincidence to Kathleen.

The plan is to eat out today, and, there are two pubs in Martham, which may be possibles.

A brief stop for a drink of water, at this rather grand Gateway, after about 7 miles in 23C+ sunshine.

We find the COOP and buy our fruit and vegetables.

The two pubs do not look as attractive in real life, as the do on the internet, so, a short rest, beside the village pond, watching the ducks, then, back toward Ludham, watching out for possible lunch stops.

Coming here, I think we missed a turn, and, ended up riding much farther along a major road (A149), than planned.

I am trusted to use my initiative and sense of direction, to get back to Ludham via Potter Heigham (an usual development), thus avoiding much, but, not all of the A149 section.

We stop at Ludham for lunch (Kings Arms, food good, service somewhat lacking), and, then detour to St Benet's Abbey, before returning to the camp site.

St Benet's Abbey is unusual in that, although closed by Henry VIII, during the dissolution of the monasteries, he did not grab it for himself,

and, instead, gave it to The Bishop of Norwich (perhaps, the Bishop had some good negatives?).

This generosity did nothing for St Benets, which was plundered for its stone (by successive Bishops), and, became a ruin.

A total of 16.67 Miles. Norfolk Broads CAMC Site - Ludham - Martham - Potter Heigham - Ludham - St Benet's Abbey - Norfolk Broads CAMC Site. 

An "M" was bagged for my Cyclechat ABC Villages Challenge, and, a couple of my bike in front of a gate (Cyclechat), and, my bike infront of something unusual (Cyclechat). 

A lunch stop at the Kings Head, Ludham.

Relaxing with a coffee, not in bad shape after approximately 17 miles, in the heat, two 73/74 year olds, on "real bikes" (ie no batteries).