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).

Commons Wood CAMC Site, Welwyn Garden City (N51.780297, W0.189203) Continued

Friday, 4th June 2021

Mild, but, grey and cloudy, rains started at 10:00. Only showers, according to the forecast.

Looks as if the forecast is wrong (what a surprise), raining steadily all day.

Saturday, 5th June 2021

Bright sunny day, but, not too hot (21C).

Kathleen is game for a cycle ride, since we both sat about doing absolutely nothing, yesterday.

I have a little plan, Knebworth is within cycling distance, and, that will give me the "K" for my Cyclechat Towns and Villages Challenge.

We cycle to Knebworth, stop for lunch, then cycle back, just under 20 miles, mostly on Cycle Paths. 

I know the map says 17.96, that is due to User/Garmin malfunction, a small amount missed at beginning of ride, corrected from Kathleen Runkeeper recording.

There is slight dissent in the ranks, but, nothing major.

Sunday, 6th June 2021

The day starts dull and cloudy, then, it rains. Fortunately I had picked most stuff away yesterday, so, did not get too wet.

Unfortunately, the rain follows us to Norfolk, and, it starts raining en-route, then, again, more steadily mid-afternoon.

117 Miles to Norfolk Broads CAMC Site, Ludham, NR29 5NY (N52.70036 E1.51371), a mostly "cross country" route, very little motorway, A505 and A11 for most of the way.

 Our fancy new Sat-Nav (Garmin Camper 780), has a facility to tell you, miles in advance, of any traffic hold ups. Very clever. But, it doesn't actually achieve much, if there is no way to avoid the delay, it just makes you annoyed earlier.

There are massive hold ups on the A11, for little or no evidence of any actual work happening, similarly, the A47, except there, there is absolutely no sign of work, just a big hold up.

The site is almost full, first impressions favourable, clean, tidy and quiet.

  

Commons Wood CAMC Site, Welwyn Garden City (N51.780297, W0.189203).

Wednesday, 02/06/2021

Commons Wood CAMC Site, Welwyn Garden City.

Another sunny day, even warmer than yesterday at 27C.

Today is Gary's birth day, 49! where did those years go? 

Still doing my Cyclechat ABC Village and Towns Challenge, well, it gives a reason for a cycle ride (assuming, a reason to enjoy a ride on a bicycle is required?).

The next letter I require is "J", so, I plot a route to Jersey Farm.

A problem, or, user error?, with the Garmin, it fails to give instructions for the route, and, it would appear it cannot follow a route, and, record the activity distance, at the same time.

Not to worry, my homing-pigeon like navigation skills get us to the desired destination.

Some excellent cycling infrastructure in Welwyn and Hatfield, continuous, well maintained, no broken glass or other debris, South Tyneside Council take note.

It is so good, you could almost imagine you are in the Netherlands, except, the traffic does not give way to cyclists, here in UK.

I had actually plotted a circular route, back to the campsite, and, the Garmin had "come to life" by the time we reached Jersey Farm.

Kathleen was not up for taking any risks however, so, we took the "safe" option to navigate back the way we came, so 12.53 miles recorded.

There had been a problem at the site, apparently some clientele (presumably, the men) had not been obeying the Covid Rules, when using the facilities, so, the Wardens had closed the Male Facilities. 

A bit like being at school, I suppose, one person miss-behaves, and the who class get detention. There were mutterings of

discontent, threats to cancel Club membership etc. 

By the time we returned, after our cycle ride, facilities had re-opened.

A difficult choice, what are the wardens to do, if people will insist on ignoring the fairly simple rules?

Thursday, 03/06/2021

My phone says it is 18C, at 08:00, but, it feels slightly cooler than that, still very nice.

After yesterday's cycling, today is scheduled to be a walking day, but, first, a FaceTime call to wish grandson Gabriel a happy eleventh birthday. In the event, didn't get Gabriel, but, son, Gary, so, was able to wish him a belated happy birthday, for yesterday. Perhaps, I will get to speak to Gabriel tomorrow? ;)

Google maps comes good, to find the Morrisons supermarket, approximately two miles away, ingredients for this evenings salad duly purchased.

An otherwise lazy day, sitting in the sun. Weather forecast says we may get rain tomorrow.

  

Wyatts Covert CAMC Site, Denham, (N51.5934 W0.50826) contd

 Monday, 31st May 2021

Hazy start to the day, but, by 10:00 bright sunshine, and 21C.

A Cycle ride, to Hayes, just over 16 miles, there and back. We follow the route we took to Iver, but, at Cowley Lock, we stay on the canal towpath, past West Drayton and on to Hayes. The quality of the towpath is excellent in this area.

I forgot to take camera, so, will have to extract some stills from the video footage.

The route begins nice and quiet, and easy, downhill on Tilehouse Lane.

A tried section on a track alongside A412, not so quiet, then, into Village Lane and through Denham Village.

Then, alongside the really busy, and noisy, A40, for a short distance.

To Uxbridge, where we join the canal (Grand Union) towpath. Much quieter, except for walkers and worse still, dog walkers.

We pass this old sailing barge, goodness knows how that got under some of the bridges we have passed?

Passed, West Drayton, which looks very smart, at least the small section we pass through does.

When we get back to the site, new neighbours, arrive, shortly after our return, a couple, in caravan with two small boys. 

Although driving a UK registered car, they are clearly not Brits, cannot quite recognise the language they speak to each other. 

The elder boy is called Gabriel, like our grandson, the younger is called Alexanjra. Yes, I know that looks wrong, but, he insisted it was with a "j" and not a "d", we was very specific about it, although, he is only 4 years old.

Kathleen asks the youngest how old he is, he, with no inhibitions (as children are), then, asks her age, and expresses amazement that she is 74, that is almost 100 he says! Some training clearly needed if a career in the Diplomatic Service is to be a possibility ;)

Tuesday, 1st June 2021

Full sunshine and 25C. Hot for driving. 

Today, we head for Commons Wood CAMC Site, Welwyn Garden City (N51.780297, W0.189203).

First, a food shopping trip, by bicycle, only 2.4 miles, to Denham Green and back, but, hard going up a long hill, with two full panniers of wine, milk, potatoes etc. 

I am sure we could have done this shopping at Tesco Extra, Hadfield, in the Retail Park, where Kathleen managed to buy some new clothes. "Essential" purchases, you understand.

Only 43 miles, some delays due to HS2 works disrupting traffic. 

Fortunately, once through that, most people seemed to be going in the opposite direction, to us, particularly on the M25, which was in full "car-park mode", anti-clockwise, ie in the direction of Heathrow. But, we should be grateful for small mercies, at least there was no hail storm, this time!

Wyatts Covert CAMC Site, Denham, (N51.5934 W0.50826) contd

Saturday, 29th May 2021.

 Sunny with a cloud, but, no rain, 20C.

Plain to see it is a Bank Holiday week-end, lost of new arrivals, and, site is almost, but, not quite full.

Yesterday was cycling, so, today is walking.

We set off to walk to Denham Village (there are several "Denham", Denham Green, Denham Garden Village, Denham Village, and Upper Denham, being those we have encountered, so far).

True to form, we are "distracted" by a public footpath we spot as we walk along Tilehouse Lane.

It takes us on a very scenic route, which, according to my homing pigeon instinct, will eventually bring us to the A412.

Despite Kathleen's scepticism, we do eventually emerge on the A412, near Village Lane, where we cycled yesterday.

Other than the busy A412, we have managed to walk through quiet country lanes, and public footpaths.

It is very warm, and, thirst, plus the desire for a toilet stop, means we are in search of a suitable pub.

Although we did not pass any pubs as we

cycled through Denham Village, yesterday, the information, back at the Campsite, claims, there are pubs there. 

Sure enough, we come upon The Falcon Inn, Denham Village, which allows for a toilet stop, and, a suitable refreshing alcoholic drink.

Sunday, 30th May 2021

After yesterday's heat and sunshine, a disappointingly cool and murky morning, 21C is promised for later.

The 21C does in fact arrive, by shortly after 10:30, a lazy day (for me), Kathleen does household chores, ie washing our clothes, I suspect I will hear more of that.

Wyatts Covert CAMC Site, Denham, (N51.5934 W0.50826) contd

Thursday, 27th May 2021

19C,and sunny. The best weather we have had, this trip, if not this year! How long will it last?

We need a few groceries, a walk is planned, to include passing the shops in Denham Green.

There is a bridle path, which I recall we walked along on a previous visit. It heads in the general direction we want to go.

Sure enough, we arrive at the A412 (which passes through Denham Green), but, it a busy road to walk along (no footpath). 

Memory from last trip, says we should cross the road and go straight ahead, but, the way is barred by HS2 works.

There is a path through the trees, which, appears to head in the right direction, off we go, with Kathleen in the lead.

We eventually run out of path, and, we can no longer see or hear the road.

I am so pleased I was not in front!, but, needless to say, "getting lost" is still my fault. Apparently, I 'told her which way to go", as anyone knows, you do not "tell" a McCaffery anything, particularly a "McCaffery woman". Life is such fun ;)

We eventually find our way back to the main road (A412), and, do the sensible thing, ie follow the road. Sure enough, we come to Denham Green and the COOP Supermarket.

After lunch, we make the most of the sunshine, and sit reading books.

Later, we explore another nearby bridle path. About a mile in, it becomes very wet and muddy. 

Kathleen has spent quite a while cleaning her shoes, after this morning's "adventure", so, no repeat this afternoon, we turn back.

Friday, 28th May 2021

Cloudy, but, mild, and, most importantly, not raining. 19C is promised for today.

During Covid lock-down, I began to do various CycleChat Challenges, to relieve the boredom, and, provide a reason to get out in the fresh air and do some exercise. One of the challenges is ABC of Town and Village names. I am currently at "H", with "I" needed next.

I notice that there is a place called Iver, not too far away.

I use Cycle-Routes website to plot a suitable route, and load it into my Garmin Edge. It is all rather clever, the Cycle-Routes Website, will automatically transfer the GPS Route to Garmin Connect, and Garmin Express will automatically loads it into the Garmin Edge.

Off we go, 13 miles of quiet roads, or, Cycle Paths, plus, a stretch along the Towpath of the Grand Union Canal.

Actually, the technology does not work quite flawlessly, the Garmin plots our route fine, but, it does not record my statistics, distance, speed etc, so, I have to rely on Kathleen's Runkeeper log. There must be a way, next time!

I get my Cyclechat Challenge photographs, with Iver Village, and, a bonus "bike on a bridge", as we go over the M25 Motorway.

Yes, I am obsessed, Kathleen already told me ;)

Now, or course, we have to find our way back. The route here was quite complicated, with lots of turns, we (well, I) decide, the easier option is to make our way to Uxbridge, then,

follow the canal back to The Bear on The Barge Pub, at which point, turn. off towards Wyatts Covert.

All goes well, we even come upon a pub (The General Elliot), by the canal, in Uxbridge, where we stop for lunch.

We have been here before, some five years ago, when out cycling with Gary.

I have a little fun, trying to emulate Doug's photographs, taken, I assume, using a timer.

My camera has a timer function. I manage to get it to work, but, I think I need to work on the steadiness of the camera stand, obviously, balanced on my cycling helmet does not surfice.

 

Wyatts Covert CAMC Site, Denham, (N51.5934 W0.50826) contd

 Wednesday, 26th May 2021

Cloudy, and no blue sky, but.... it is not actually raining.

We risk a cycle ride along the Grand Union Canal, approximately ten miles.

We initially set off North, towards Gerrards Cross, but, after the last ten days of rain, the towpath has deep puddles and many muddy sections, not to Kathleen's liking, fear of wobbling and falling in the canal. 

A reasonable concern, how would I retrieve the bike? Perhaps I should stick a length of rope and a hook, in my backpack, just in case?

We turn around and head more or less South, towards Uxbridge.

Coffee and cake is consumed.

Lots of bridges, along the Grand Union Canal, so, too bike a temptation to miss, for the Cyclechat "My Bike on a Bridge" challenge, actually, they are mostly "My bike in front of a Bridge", but, that appears to be allowed.

Tilehouse Lane, at the entrance to the site, is a gold mine for "My Bike in Front of a Gate", Cyclechat Challenge photographs.

We also get an "incident", not sure if this unfortunate person has been involved in a Road Traffic Accident, or, if they have simply taken ill, whichever, a significant Police presence, but, no ambulance in sight.