Lazy Campsite Day

After the busy day with the boys we decided to have a lazy day at the campsite today.  The weather was good so the awning and the laptop came out and I got blogging.

After lunch we took Hamish for a walk to the river which was looking particularly good at the moment …

I just love this photo of the reflections of the trees …

This afternoon I booked tickets for tomorrow on the Bure Valley Steam Railway where we’ll be going by train from Aylsham to Wroxham, then on a boat trip and finally back to Aylsham again by steam train.  Can’t wait!!

Father’s Day Visitors

We arrived at the Norwich campsite yesterday afternoon just as the heavens opened and there was a torrential downpour.  We were given pitch 35 in the lower field and had a lazy afternoon after the drive from Birmingham.

Today being Father’s Day we were expecting a visit from Jamie, Phill and Ozzie in the new car.  Jamie’s car had been written off in a prang and so he’d found himself a Jimny convertible …

After Mike opened his cards and present …

we piled into the car and set off for a coffee at Ranworth Staithe.  Jamie kept an eye on the boats that were mooring and had a good laugh when one of them got it wrong!

Then it was back to the car and a decision was made to venture to the Southern Waters as neither of them had been there before.  We headed for Reedham Ferry and as it was lunchtime Phill popped into the Inn to see if it was dog-friendly.  The answer was yes so we parked up and went in for a lovely Sunday roast …

After lunch we nipped up to the river to see the ferry crossing …

and then we got back into the car and drove onto it.  The crossing is very quick but saves a long drive around and over a bridge.

With both map and ipad in use we worked our way down to Beccles and parked up to take the dogs for a walk along the river-bank.  Unfortunately it began to drizzle but we kept going and came to the sailing club where Sunday racing for Enterprises was in progress …

Then we turned around and made our way back past the moored cruisers …Our next destination was the Locks Inn at Geldeston.  This was somewhere I had seen a short film about on The Wherryman’s Web blog.  It has quite a history.

After coffees we went for a stroll over bridges and also along the river …

Time was now getting on and the boys needed to get us back to the site.  We’d had a lovely day and Mike was spoilt rotten!  Many thanks boys and we love the car!

Arrival at Ludham Bridge

Late last night we had visitors at the campsite as Jamie and Phill looked in to collect the tools needed for the kitchen. We had a sort out of who was buying what food for the boat and then as soon as they’d gone we crashed out for the night. This morning we were on the road for 10.30am and it was a simple drive back to the A1(M) and then up to the A505. We were now back on the route that we knew and after a top-up of fuel at Royston and lunch in a layby after Thetford, we arrived at Wroxham bridge …

and then very soon we were at the Broadlands Caravan Club site at Ludham Bridge …

While Mike had a nap as a reward for doing the driving I took Hamish for a walk along the river.

It was really warm and sunny although blowing a hooley! The river was deserted and the moorings at the Staithe were empty apart from a couple of boats which are permanents …

We shouldn’t have any problems stopping here tomorrow! We returned to the site and there was our motorhome on its pitch …

Burnham Overy Staithe

It was thankfully dry this morning and we were off to visit Old Hunstanton where there was an Arts and Crafts centre. We had a lovely wander round but didn’t find anything we wanted to buy. From here we drove to Brancaster Staithe as we were positive that this was the place we’d parked on shingle several years ago. As we passed through the village nothing looked familiar and so we drove on to Burnham Overy Staithe. There was a short one-way road which we drove down and there before us was the shingle we remembered! After lunch I had a stroll around taking photos …

The tide wasn’t due in until late afternoon …

It was then back to the site and in the evening we had a lovely sunset …

Cromer for Crab!

After a wash-out day yesterday when all we did was visit Tesco and have a walk in the rain we were hoping for better weather today. No joy! More rain and fog to accompany it! We decided to ignore it and go to Cromer as Mike was desperate to get some crab for a sandwich and I was hoping to do some grave hunting for Combens who had been lighthouse keepers at Cromer. We parked up and walked down to the church in the centre of the town.

I had a good look around but no sign of any Combens. We had a look at the pier ...

and then found a fish shop for the crab. Back to the RV to dry off and make lunch ...

We then drove to Overstrand to search the church there but once again no luck. A pretty church and as the lighthouse is at Overstrand it is the most likely place that they are buried ...

Castle Rising

We’re not technically in Broadland but we are in Norfolk so I’m including our stay at Sandringham on the Broadland blog.

After a lazy start to the day we set off from the campsite to find English Heritage’s Castle Rising Castle. This was the seat of the Howard Family and is one of the largest keeps in the country. As we approached we could see the depth of the moat …

and after paying our entry fee we crossed and went under the gates …

The keep was then in front of us in all its glory …

We entered the building and took note of the warnings …

up the steps …

and turned left …

Through into the basement …

Here there was the well …

and then we went up the stairs in the corner …

We entered this doorway …

to find these lovely tiles …

This is looking through into the kitchen and Mike bashed his head on the way out!

This is the white room at the top of the keep …

The Great Hall was on the upper level here with the basement below …

Looking out to where we entered …

We then walked around on the top of the moat …

and after walking down the steps we could walk around the grass visiting the early Norman church built in the late 11th century …

At the side of the keep are the remains of the lodgings …

and a 14th century chapel …

It was then time to go back to the RV for lunch and after a drive through the village of Wolferton we returned to the campsite to sit out and enjoy a cuppa in the sunshine …