Thursday 14th August 2025
Another scorching hot day, 28c.
I am advised by SWMBO that after yesterday, today is a "rest day".
Accordingly, we wander down to the village and visit The Bell Inn, for a very pleasant lunch.
The remainder of the afternoon is spent re-arranging my CAT-Scan appointment, because, I received a phone call from an "on the ball" person in the diagnostic centre at South Tyneside Hospital, to tell me that I needed blood tests, BEFORE, the CAT-Scan. No-one told me that, and, of course, we are away until the day before the Scan (the Scan is scheduled for a Monday, and, we dont get home until Sunday). So, all is eventually re-arranged, it is now blood test next Tuesday, CAT-Scan a week tomorrow.
Friday, 15th August 2025.
Another hot one, 25c.
Kathleen is not too enthusiastic about cycling along Marriotts Way, because the view are somewhat restricted by the trackside trees and bushes. So, I work out a road route taking in a couple of places, Heydon and Wood Dalling. I have a further scheme in mind, to also take in a lunch stop at a Tea Shop called Junction 21, on the Marriott Way, but, for now, that is just in MY head 😂
Off we go, Cawston - Heydon - Wood Dalling - Reepham - Junction 21, and back to Cawston, just over 17 miles in total.
First stop is Heydon.
We have the classic photoshoot at the village sign, but, there is nowhere to put the camera to get a timer shot with both of us on.
Kathleen flags down a random passing car, which happens to contain three elderly ladies, one of who is happy to play official photographer.
So, we have our 'couple photo", courtesy of some random elderly lady.
Heydon is a strikingly pretty village with a tea/coffee shop, a pub, and a village green.
Unfortunately, the pub is having it's kitchens refurbished, so, no food, not that it is time to eat when we arrive.
We even have the timing of our coffee break wrong, so, a brief explore, then, head off on my planned route.
The road is very quiet, which is good news, although, there are the occasional enormous tractor and HGV, but, they are all very courteous and give us plenty of space.
Next stop is Wood Dalling.
A village which appears to consist of a very large church and two houses.
If there is more, we do not find it.
Wood Dalling is a very strange name, which apparently comes from Dalla's People, but, it does not say in which language?
Next, we pedal on to Reepham, which is on Marriotts Way.
Kathleen is still going strong, so, my little plan falls into place, and we head for Junction21, tea shop.
Junction21 was recommended by a chap who we encountered on Monday's ride, he was a dog walker who we managed to encounter 3 or four times as our paths crossed.
Well, it is very tastefully decorated and very clean, but, our Paninis are decidedly average.
I do float the idea of an extended 'loop" to get us back to Cawston, but, I think I have used up all of Kathleen's "cycling enthusiasm" for the day, and, we return via the shortest route, which is along Marriotts Way.
Our next-door neighbours return shortly after us, on their e-bikes, they are suitably impressed with our 17 miles, they don't mention how far they went, so, I assume it was less 😂
Later in the day, two new arrivals, a caravan and a motorhome, so, the site is now full.
