St Benet’s Abbey and Ludham

The day didn’t start too well as I left my phone in the van and didn’t realise until I arrived at Irstead Staithe.  After a quick stop I decided to return and collect it and then went on to St Benet’s Abbey.  As I drove down the track I met a huge great tractor and trailer and had to drive off the road to get round it.  Scary or what?  I made it to the car park and with Hamish in tow we set off for a walk.  There were no cows visible this time so we went to the cross where I’d heard there was a new talking bench. 

It’s a brilliant idea.  You push a button and get a welcome from the Abbot, then a description of the Church.  Unfortunately as I sat listening the sky was getting blacker and I wasn’t wearing a waterproof coat nor did I have an umbrella, so I had to leave before hearing everything.  I will be back!

It was lunch-time so we returned to the car and as I sat eating I watched the tractors working …

I was dreading the drive back up the lane as I knew I was bound to meet a tractor again which I did.  Thankfully there was a nice passing place for me this time and I was very relieved when I reached the road. 

I drove into Ludham and parked at the church.  I had a few graves that I still wanted to find and I needed some close up photos of a previously found grave. 

There was another lovely sunset this evening when I walked Hamish …

Horning

Took Hamish for his regular morning walk by the river and what should I spy on my return but Broadland Mars moored just upriver of the bridge.  I think the lady on board wondered why I was photographing her!

I had a lazy morning sorting out waste water etc and topping up the tank with fresh water, caught up with my blog and read my book.  After lunch Hamish and I went into Horning where I bought myself a delicious red gooseberry ice-cream and sat by the river to eat it.  I got chatting with a couple who used to own a yacht but now have a motor cruiser moored at Horning.  It was a very pleasant way to spend an hour in the sunshine.  A river cruiser – Cirrus – came steaming past …

It was soon time to return to the car but not before I grabbed a couple of shots from the green by the sailing club …

We then moved on to the car park at Horning church.  A funeral had just finished so there were loads of cars parked but luckily there was one little space for me!

We walked down the track to the river and just as I arrived Cirrus shot past me again …

Water Lily was moored here and two chaps were fishing but I didn’t see them catch anything while I was there.  I sat on the bench and watched a few boats pass by then Butterbump came up river …

We walked back to the church and had a wander around looking at graves.  I found one which I hoped was on my tree so took a photo just in case …

Time to move on again and return to the site.  It was warm and sunny so Hamish and I sat outside while I enjoyed a welcome cuppa.  When I took him for his evening walk there was a lovely sunset …

Irstead and Barton Turf

It wasn’t long this morning before the sun broke through and we were promised a beautiful day. 

With a packed lunch sorted and the car packed I drove us to Irstead Staithe via Horning and Neatishead.  Hamish and I settled down to watch the world go by, reading and eating.  Several people made a fuss of my boy and we enjoyed the peace and quiet of the moorings.

After lunch we moved on to Barton church where I was hoping to find some graves with the name Allard on them.  Unfortunately I was unsuccessful but it was a lovely church and Hamish and I had a good look round …

From here we moved on to Barton Turf Staithe which was remarkably quiet.  A couple of people were fishing and a private boat was moored.

I’d been online and found that I should get signal here so that I could use my 3 dongle and thankfully it worked well.  I sat in the car with my laptop and got three days of blogging done!

Hamish had been a bit neglected in the walking department today so after a quick cuppa back at the RV we went for a walk by the river.  The sun was just going down as we got back to the moorings …

Ranworth to Horning

We woke to a dry but overcast morning and enjoyed bacon and pancakes for breakfast.  As various boats began to move off I noticed a familiar one moored at the other end of the Staithe – Broadland Mars …

We popped into the Granary for coffees before watching the Southern Comfort passing by, topping up with water and leaving our mooring …

We’d decided on a stop at St Benet’s Abbey so the dogs could have a leg stretch and there were plenty of moorings …

With the sun now shining we had a lovely walk …

The last photo was taken as a re-creation of a picture I was convinced had been taken many years ago but with Mike in the centre.  I had a search when I got home and this was the original …

Not a bad memory!  The door has lost the wood but that is hardly surprising as it is over thirty years since this photo was taken.

We left the moorings after lunch and made our way to Horning. 

We were hoping for a spot near the electric hook-up but we had to take another spot until the one we wanted became free and we could move onto it.  While we waited we watched the Sunday racing …

Then a boatload of pirates approached …

We took the dogs for a walk and then returned to the Swan Inn for a drink.  Here we were entertained by some young people from Essex especially one young lady who Simon named Chardonnay!!  They have no idea how entertaining they were!!

Back to the boat and we had surprise visitors – Steve and Lisa from the River Cruiser Sally.  After a few glasses of wine and gossip they left and we tucked into roast chicken with all the trimmings – yummy sups!