Norfolk, Russdenill Lodge, West Beckham... continued 3

 Thursday, 10th September 2020.

The day starts cloudy, well, I say, the day starts, we didn't wake up until 09:15, after yesterdays, exertions, but by 11:00, just like yesterday, there is sunshine and 18C.

As a reward for all that pedalling yesterday, we treat ourselves to a lunchtime meal, and several drinks, at The Wheatsheaf. 

Very enjoyable.

Followed by a lazy afternoon of book reading.

Friday, 11th September 2020

A sunny but cool start to the day.

We have a short cycle ride.

One of the things I have noticed, here in Norfolk, is an absence of place names, as you enter a village/town, and, to a certain extent, a lack of signposting on smaller roads.

From the internet, the story appears to be, that during World War 2, the threat of possible invasion prompted local people here to remove sign post, village names etc, to confuse the enemy.

All very understandable, at the time, but, the threat of invasion ended by 1944, it is now 2020, ie 76 years later, couldn't they have re-instated the signs?

The reason this is a problem is, I have involved myself in a childish "challenge" on the Cyclechat Cycling Forum, the object is to "bag" a photograph, of your bicycle, infront of a town/village sign until you have collected place names beginning A, B, C..... etc. The place names my be collected over an extended period, but, consecutive letters may only be collected on a single ride, ie, no collecting photographs and saving them until you get to that letter.

I started the challenge on the day we cycled to North Walsham, with this sign at (A)ldborough.

I should have been able to "bag" several more, since we also cycled through (B)radfield, (C)althorn, (C)olby, (C)ross Dale Street, but, none of these villages had name signs, although they are all big enough to appear on the map.

I was quite miffed by this, cycling over 31 miles, and only able to get one measly letter!

Today, I noticed there was a village nearby, beginning with "B", (B)odham, which would allow me to move on. Just to be on the safe side, I

checked online (Google Street View and Wikipedia) to ensure a suitable name board was present, before setting off.

Much to my surprise, Kathleen was game to go along with this silliness, so, a short (9 miles) ride out out today, braving the wind, allowed me to get a photograph of the name sign at Bodham.

Now for "C".

This could clearly become quite challenging when we get to "Q", or "X" or "Z" !

Payment made, £12/night, very reasonable, I think. I these Covid-19 times, payment by bank transfer requested. Not a problem, will we ever use Cash again?

Packing to leave (tomorrow) begins.......

Norfolk, Russdenill Lodge, West Beckham... continued 2

Tuesday, 8th September 2020.

Rather windy overnight, but, a dry and sunny morning, with a promise, from the forecast of 19C.

I repair the punctured inner tube, from yesterday.

Somehow, I don't think suggesting another cycling outing is a good idea, perhaps, a leisurely stroll? 

The morning is spent sitting in the sun reading, after lunch, a stroll around the quiet country lanes for a couple of miles, with a break for refreshment at The Wheatsheaf, in West Beckham.

It seems a pleasant place, lunch perhaps, later in the week.

Wednesday, 9th September 2020.

A dull and damp start to the day.

By 11:00, we have sunny with cloud and 17C, so, off we go on a cycle ride.

A little more than we had bargained for at 31. 21 Miles. West Beckham - Gresham - Sustead - Suffield - North Walsham - Bradfield - Northrepps - Crossdale Street - Metton - West Beckham.

Lunch in North Walsham, a place I remember visiting as a child (about 12, I think). 

My only real memory of the place, is a pub, called "The Wherry". Didn't see it on this visit, it may well no longer exist of course, it is about sixty years ago!

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.

Off to Norfolk, Russdenill Lodge, West Beckham

Saturday, 5th September 2020

With impeccable timing, the A19 is completely closed this weekend, because, the deck of the bridge, for the new flyover at Testos Roundabout, is to begin being put in place.

Amazing what you can learn from the Internet, apparently Testos Roundabout is named after a former Flea Circus Ringmaster, Alfred Testo, who, subsequently, ran a Filling Station near said junction. At present, the site of the Filling Station is occupied by by Enterprise Car and Van Rental.

The closure is likely to cause significant traffic delays.

Expecting major traffic hold-ups, the plan was to be on our way by 07:00, and stop for breakfast after a couple of hours. This would have

worked, I am sure, except Kathleen did not emerge from bed until 07:00, so departure was delayed until 08:00.

The obligatory photograph of our neatly cut grass, but, I suspect at this time of year no grass cutting will be required.

An uneventful 248 miles, the usual heavy traffic around Kings Lynn, but, otherwise no major delays, with sops for breakfast and lunch. Our lunch stop was in a large lay-by, after Kings Lynn. By chance, there was a mobile kiosk, selling hot drinks, burgers etc. My black coffee was so hot, it was difficult to hold the cup, Kathleen's Latte was only just warm (made with cold milk I suspect). Mixing the two together produced two drinks at the correct temperature.

We arrive at Russdenill Lodge, to a warm welcome from Denise and Russel (owners). All is well, two caravans and another Chausson here when we arrive, with one more arrival expected.

Everything appears clean and tidy, everyone is friendly, it looks as if Russdenill Lodge N52.903824 E1.181542 Ossier Lane, West Beckham, Norfolk, NR25 6PL, is going to be a success. 

It is rather rural. 

The village pub, The Wheatsheaf, is in walking distance, half a mile, but, you need a torch, in the evening, no street lights.

Our Chausson owning neighbours return from their twenty mile cycle ride, so, it would appear there are cycling possibilities.

So far, it all looks very promising, all we need now is for the weather to behave itself!

New Forest Centenary CAMC Site..... continued....

Thursday, 30th July 2020

New Forest Centenary CAMC Site (N50 47'11" W1 42'24")

A beautiful summers day, blue skies and 23C.

Kathleen is nursing her cuts and bruises, from yesterdays bicycle incident.

I am on "looking after duty", supplying hot/cold drinks, as required, food, ice cream and generally waiting on her hand and foot.

Friday, 31st July 2020

Another super summers day, forecast for 27C today.

Kathleen still not up to walking or cycling far.

A shopping trip to Bransgore, by bicycle for me, essential supplies, wine for me, and Paracetemol for Kathleen.

Saturday, 1st August 2020

Eighty miles, fortunately the traffic going in our direction (basically, North) is just heavy, going South towards the coast whole sections of the M27 and M3 are at a standstill. We arrive at The White Hart, Holyport near Maidenhead (N51.485633, W0.718448), by lunch time.

This is a pub stopover, from searchforsites website. They allow Motorhomes to stop over, in their carpark. If you make use of the pub (ie buy drinks, meal), it is free, if not, there may be a charge, not sure about that.

The carpark is level and good quality hard standing (Tarmac). We visited shortly after Covid Lockdown, when restrictions still in place, fairly quiet, not sure if it is always so.

This is yet another possibility for visits to Gary and Susana (not forgetting Gabriel and Salma). They live about 3.8 miles away. Windsor area is difficult to find stop overs, or, even sites, so, this is a welcome addition to our list.

The afternoon is spent visiting the grandchildren (Gabriel and Salma), in the evening we all eat at the White Hart.

Sunday 2nd August 2020

An early start, Gary and Gabriel come to along to see us off, which is very nice of them. 

Away, just shortly after 08:00. M4 Eastbound is closed for road works, so, a detour through Slough, but, otherwise an uneventful 280 miles.

A slight detour into Tadcaster to have a Sunday Lunch at the Coach and Horses. It is right next to the bus station, and there is free parking adjacent. Food and service, good, but, pub not quite so good, being next to the bus station is a clue.

Thankfully, I am not returning to an out of control garden, thanks to Daughter Claire, it is as good as the day I left it ;)

 

New Forest Centenary CAMC Site... continued....

Tuesday, 28th July 2020

New Forest Centenary CAMC Site (N50 47'11" W1 42'24")

Weather improving, no rain, and, a little sun.

No activity yesterday, so, today, we go walking.

Approximately, six miles to Bransgore and back, a little grocery shopping, plus coffee and very nice cake in the village coffee shop.

Wednesday, 29th July 2020

New Forest Centenary CAMC Site (N50 47'11" W1 42'24")

A bright sunny day.

We have big plans today, (well, I suppose, to be fair, I have big plans), a 30 mile circular cycle route.

I cannot download the route to my Garmin, because the Garmin website is still playing up, so, I use Komoot (for the first time).

It all starts well, a little section of quiet road, followed by dedicated, reasonable quality cycle track, through typical New Forest landscape, complete with wild New Forest ponies.

An actual tarmac surface to start...

Then, hard packed gravel, through the wooded area.

Things begin to deteriorate, when we have to ford a rather deep stream, 

Kathleen opts for walking across on some logs.

Then, we get lost in an area of bog, with Komoot telling us we need to be 200 yards to our right. Fair enough, there is a tarmac road there, which we can see and hear, but, there is a stream, a fence and a steep embankment between us and the road!

We eventually find our way around the bog, and reach the tarmac road. 

Actually, Kathleen's initial instincts had been correct, the two men in the equation (me and the sat-nav voice) were wrong, but, we will not dwell on that.

A short distance along the road, we have to turn right, disaster, a bit of a mix up at road junction, and I stop, Kathleen doesn't, crash and Kathleen falls off her bicycle, cuts her leg, and collects a few bruises.

A slight pause to mop up the blood and then we have no choice but to head back to the campsite.

New Forest Centenary CAMC Site.... continued

Sunday, 26th July 2020

New Forest Centenary CAMC Site (N50 47'11" W1 42'24")

The rain has stopped, a bit of sunshine peeping through the clouds, and, a mild 20C.

Using the information from the CAMC Website (in common with the other sites we have been to, all of the information usually found at CAMC reception, has been removed due to Covid-19 hysteria), we decide to do the cycle route to the coast, most of which is on Sustrans NCN Route 2.

The information sheet says it is 15 miles, we do 17.8 miles, due to confusing instructions, but, it is easy enough.

We cycle to a place called Mudeford Quays and Avon Beach, near Christchurch, probably very nice, but, today, on a sunny Sunday in July, they are very crowded.

The next problem is, I cannot download my

Garmin data, because Garmin's computer systems are all our action, allegedly because of hackers. Not my day, or their of course! Fortunately, Kathleen recorded the ride on Runkeeper.

Monday, 27th July 2020

Continuous rain overnight, and, still raining this morning, forecast says rain until 14:00 today, what fun.

Forecast was wrong.

It rained until 16:00, at which point, sun shone, for five minutes, then, high wind sprung up, and clouds closed in again!

We have done nothing to help Boris's fight against obesity today, unless, eating kit-kats, drinking coffee and reading books counts as exercise?