Lark Valley, Flempton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk... continued 1

 Monday, 14th September 2020

Another bright sunny morning, with a forecast temperature of 27C. Excellent September weather we are having.

On Saturday, when we arrived, a fellow motorhomer told me about a walk, nearby. 

The destination is a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon Village, at West Stow Country Park.

This is a bit too cultural for us, we normally just walk in countryside, or, cycle ride.

The walk there (about 2.5 miles) is through pleasant countryside and woodland, mostly, alongside the River Lark, (hence, Lark Valley), so, little chance of wandering off track, anyone can fallow a river!

In the event, it turns out to be quite interesting, thanks to Covid-19, the museum is closed, but,

the reconstructed village is available to walk around, and, various displays of archeological finds, from nearby.

The reconstructed buildings, are of course, intelligent guesstimates of how they would have actually been, based on archeological digs and finds, in the immediate area.

As a is usually the case with such things, I am amazed at the distances over which they traded goods, and travelled, in an era when the fastest form of transport on land was a galloping horse, and, on water a sailing boat.

There are artefacts suggesting the location was populated during the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age, plus, of course, the Romans were there, followed, after their eventual demise, by the Anglo-Saxons.

Inevitably, throughout, there was a ruling elite, just like now, little changes, same trough, different pigs

There is the usual cafe and visitor centre, complete with expensive shop. 

Thanks to Covid-19 again, no hot food or

indoor seating at the cafe, we are limited to muffins, sandwiches and coffee, and outdoor seating, but, of course, with such pleasant weather, this is no hardship.

In addition to the distances travelled and traded over, the number of buildings and artifacts is impressive, from an age when, every wood working task would have started with felling a tree, rather than a trip to B&Q, and, Youtube "how to videos" had not yet been thought of,

Tuesday, 15th September 2020

Today is forecast to be a scorcher, at 27C.

Whilst getting the bicycles ready for our morning cycle ride, I have a chat with our caravanner next door neighbours.

They are heading out for a walk, to West Stow Country Park and the Anglo-Saxon Village reconstruction, where we went yesterday.

They tell me they are aged 90 (her) and 92 (him) !

They are still spritely, and, heading out for their daily walk, they tell me they only do a maximum of 4 miles per day now, since they are "getting on a bit"!

As well as being quite fit, for their age, they are mentally alert, asking me about how we connect to the internet, and, how to get live TV and Netflix, via the internet, in the van. As I explain, I am doubtful as to how much they will understand, but, I should have known better, he is clued up on "mobile data", "smart phones", "MiFi", "Roku sticks", "Fire Sticks" etc.

We cycle an easy 12 mile circuit,  Flempton - Risby - Cavenham - Iklingham - Flempton. Mostly along quiet country roads.

The route allows me to collect another letter, in my "ABC" of Villages, Town and Cities, as we pass through (C)avenham, and, it obligingly has a name board!

One letter per outing, it is going to take me an age, without even thinking about the more difficult letters, like "X" or "Z"! I need a good run of place names.

It is sunny, calm, very hot at 27C. 

 

To Lark Valley, Flempton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

 Saturday, 12th September 2020

A bright and sunny day.

We only have 64 Miles to go, to our next site, this allows for leisurely packing, and, departure at 11:00 from Russdenill Lodge.

We have enjoyed it here, but, perhaps, best that we are leaving. We have new neighbours, a couple, similar in age to ourselves, in a Campervan. They appear to be serious cyclists, arm warmers, lycra, a map holder on the handlebars, food and flasks packed in their panniers. They do have very similar bicycles to us, ie Specialised Hybrids.    

The traffic is very busy, but, mostly going in the opposite direction, ie, towards the coast, so, I assume that Cromer, and Sheringham will not be wise choices today.

We find Lark Valley N52.300165 E0.661026 Millview, West Stow Road, Flempton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6EN, no

problem, adequately sign posted off a small quiet road near Flempton village.

No welcome, but, the location of relevant things, ie pitches, water, etc is well sign posted, so, no problem.

There are showers, toilets, washing-up sink, but, due to Covid-19 precautions, they are all closed, at present.

Quite rural, tidy, first impressions, favourable, quiet.

Once set up, lunch eaten, we go for a little explore, to get our bearings. Village (Flempton) about half mile walk, along quiet

road. There is a pub there, but, it is not obvious that it is open, another victim of Covid-19 perhaps?

Bus stop to Newmarket and Bury St Edmonds. Not sure this route to Bury St. Edmonds is cycle friendly, it is the A1101, a 50mph road, but, I can see from our map, there is an alternative route.

It would appear there is a glut of thatched cottages in the immediate area.

Sunday, 13th September 2020

Unbelievably nice day today, it may be mid-September, but, brilliant sunshine and 21C.

We are running out of some supplies, so, we need to find a shop. 

There is a village (Flempton) about half a mile along the road, but, it has no shops. Google to the rescue, it tells us there is a Tesco Hypermarket, at Bury St Edmonds.

Following the Sustrans map, we find our way there, and back, via quiet roads, approximately 13 miles 

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 ;)