Gale Force Winds

We woke this morning to black skies and gale force winds.

We’d decided to go to Wroxham as Simon needed a puncture repair kit for his bike.  After asking in a bike shop we went to Roys DIY where he found just what he wanted.  After a quick top-up of food I had the brainwave of having a McDonalds lunch (well we are on holiday!) and so we sat in the car to eat it and it was yummy!

Our next stop was the car park by Wroxham Broad which Simon had only seen from the water before.  The skies had cleared a bit for us …

From here we drove to Woodbastwick and the Woodforde’s Brewery where Simon wanted to buy some bottles to take back with him.  Back to Wroxham and a quick stop at St John Hoveton where I thought I might find a grave or two …

No luck today with family members but I rather liked this on the wall of the church …

After crossing Ludham Bridge …

we went to the new car park at St Benet’s Abbey where a gale force wind hit us!  Determined to see the work that had been done recently we struggled on …

It was all looking very smart.  Back to the car to recover from our walk and on into Ludham where we were very careful as requested …

Once home it was time for a very welcome cuppa and then Simon went off to Lathams to look for presents to take home.

A Cycle Ride and More Churches

While out walking Hamish this morning I stood in front of the Herbert Woods webcam and rang Pam back in Cornwall.  We had a lovely chat and then I rang Simon and asked him to capture of photo of me …

Simon had brought his mountain bike with him and after studying the OS map he decided on a route for a ride.  He’d repaired a puncture last night and so was ready to go this morning …

He cycled to Hickling via the riverside track, Ludham, St Benet’s Abbey then back to the cottage in time for lunch. 

While he was out I was on the laptop watching out for the boys as they were approaching Wroxham.  The Barnes Brinkcraft webcam was being monopolised by me!!  I soon saw them & followed them right up to the bridge where they turned into the basin …

I then saw them waving on the bridge before catching them as they left …

The plan for the first part of the afternoon was to check out the gravestones at both Martham and Acle churches.  We began by driving directly to Martham despite a load of road signs saying that the road was closed!  Another lovely church but no ancestors …

On to Acle where I was in luck …

Simon and Mike popped into Budgens while I was grave-hunting and then as we were on the south side of the Bure we thought we’d surprise the boys by stopping by at Ranworth.  Once again Ibiza was locked up and the boys were off walking Ozzie!  I nipped into the shop before it closed and the boys arrived back while I was in there.  We managed to talk them into brewing up before we left and with the wind already blowing it was warm and cosy aboard.

We left Ranworth and re-traced our route back via Acle to the cottage.  It was very windy now and the rain arrived …

It stopped raining so that I could walk Hamish and we had a lovely pink sky …

First Day of Grave-Hunting

The boys left early this morning but not before asking if we’d look in at Richardsons yard to collect a camera battery which had been left in their car …

and once their boat had gone from our mooring we had a load of visitors …

Whilst sitting out I saw Glistening Horizon approaching …

On board was Simon from Broadland Tales.  Unfortunately there were no moorings so after turning around to leave I suggested that they go into the Marina at Herbert Woods.  Simon didn’t realise that he could moor in there so he turned round again and that was the last we saw of him.

We piled into the car and set off with map in hand heading for Neatishead.  However our first task was to collect Phill’s keys and find the battery buried in his car!  With keys returned to the office we moved on as I wanted to find the church at Neatishead but could only see one on the map which was between there and Barton Turf.  It turned out to be the wrong one.  I popped into the White House Stores to ask where we could find the church and a very nice young lady pointed me in the right direction.  We parked and I had a good look round but unfortunately couldn’t find any graves with family names on.  I took a photo of the church and then we moved on …

Our next destination was Scottow where there was a cemetery away from the church.  After a quick look and a chat with the chap who was tending it we set off for the church which was approached along a private road.  After passing through this beautiful gateway I had a wander but once again found no graves.

Next on the list was Westwick and I was hoping for third time lucky!  It wasn’t to be though but it was a lovely church …

I was getting really disheartened by now and with only one more church to visit today at Worstead I didn’t expect anything different.  I sent Simon and Mike off to the local the White Lady to order drinks and sandwiches while I did my usual walk around.  Amazing!  I actually found a name that’s on my tree …

John Bulley is not a direct ancestor but someone who married into my family – still he was better than no-one!!!  Then I noticed the grave next to him …

Sisters Mary Louisa and Ellen Amelia Suffling had been buried together and they were John Bulley’s granddaughters.

After a very enjoyable prawn sandwich and in Simon’s words ‘a very dodgy local beer’ which he changed for another, we made our way back to Stalham and a top-up shop in Tesco.  We then went cross country to Horning which was where the boys were moored.  On arrival we found the boat all locked up and no sign of them.

They soon appeared as they’d been to the local boatyard for showers.  We had a quick cuppa and made tracks back to the cottage.  Having bought fresh bread there was only one thing to do with the old stuff …

The birds were really clever.  They caught loads on the wing!  Mike didn’t want to be left out so we gave him some bread to throw for the ducks and swans …

Then the important part of the day!