Norfolk and surrounds

After our visit to Hidcote we had quite a drive ahead of us over to Kings Lynn where we had a B&B booked for the night. We would have liked to have camped as the weather for the week was looking great but we weren't sure what time we would get there and as sunset is at 7:30pm these days and we had no desire to arrive in the dark to put the tent up. Our B&B was lovely and after weeks of sleeping on an air bed were looking forward to a 'real' bed. It was a lovely king sized one and very comfy but would you believe it neither of us slept that well. Not sure why. I think that it was a very warm night and we were on the third floor in a small room.

 

 

Kings Lynn is a very old town on the mouth of the River Great Ouse. When we arrived it was low tide with the river bottom being mud. Within a hour it had turned and the water was fair rushing in at 6 knots. Amazing to watch but quite difficult to capture and see on film. We enjoyed a lovely meal at a little restaurant on the quay and a wander around the town centre.

Our destination for the next day was Sandringham, the Queens holiday home! It was just six mile drive and we were there before it opened. A cuppa filled in the time and then we made our way to the gardens and museum. We had decided that we didn't need to see in the house as well and chose a guided garden tour instead. This was a good choice and we heard the history of the garden and how it had developed as well as getting to see the walled garden. This garden is no longer used to grow vegetables and fruit, with Prince Phillip saying that they are just as cheap to buy at Waitrose's or Sainsbury's. I suppose if you factor in the price of labour he is probable correct. And Prince Charles organic farm supplies much of Waitrose's anyway so it is still in the family so to speak. The museum was an interesting collection of mostly motor vehicles used by the royal family over the years, as well as some family history, a collection of artifacts from the old dairy and a few other treasures.

 

 

 

 

 

Our destination for the night was West Runton, where we planned to camp. The road was coastal along the northern part of East Anglia which we had hoped to have had good sea views as we went. Unfortunately the large hedgerows blocked our views for most of the trip. We did however make a stop at Wells by the Sea and walked out onto the beach. This was very much a holiday area with camping facilities close by, and facilities for swimming. However it was also very tidal on a river mouth and the tide was well out leaving the swimming area just as sand. It was possible to walk out across the narrow river channel but is very dangerous to be caught out there as the tide turns so a siren is sounded. I suspect the tide is similar to what we saw at Kings Lynn. In the distance was an off shore wind farm and as we moved around this area we saw several more both off and on shore.

Our camping experience was different this time. The campsite was difficult to find down a narrow road but obviously popular as it was well patronized. The mobile fish and chip shop was scheduled to visit at 7pm so we thought that we would try this traditional take away even though we had been warned they like what we get in NZ. First mistake is that we didn't join the queue at 7. It was quite long but even by 8 it wasn't much shorter. After about a 40 min wait, by now dark and getting decidedly cooler, got our meal. Back to the tent with only one lantern type light to eat by we were truly disappointed. The chips aren't cooked to order, but cooked ahead of time and kept in heated bin. I thought the cod was ok but was mostly batter. Even the mushy peas I tried did nothing for the taste buds. Not an experience we will be in a hurry to repeat. The following night we bought steak, new potatoes and salad from the supermarket and cooked a delicious meal on our little gas burner. And it was only 2/3 the price of the F&Cs.

 

I remember learning about the fens and broads in Standard Six so it was interesting to see this area. It is certainly very fertile and looks like a food basket growing area for the country. The only way to see much of the area is by boat so we went to Wroxham and took a trip on a replica 1920s launch that was electrically powered. It was so lovely and quiet and our skipper explained how the area of 'broads' is all man made, when the peat was dug out over many centuries leaving lakes or broads. These wetland areas are now protected and have become sanctuaries for wildlife.

These water ways are very popular with over 125 miles to navigate through. However they are also very narrow in places and we watched in horror in one place where this large gaff rigged yacht came around the corner too fast and slammed into another boat. No damage but it could have very easily been a nasty accident.

On our way to Cambridge on Friday morning we took a detour through Great Yarmouth. We were keen to see a seaside resort and this wasn't too far out of our way. A seaside resort is all set up for the British holiday maker and is quite a sight to behold with the piers and all the carnival and arcade type attractions. Of course school had just gone back so it was quite deserted. We strolled along the promenades, wandered through the town and paddled in sea.

We decided to spend the night in Cambridge as it was such a perfect late summer's day, ( and the car didn't have to be returned until 11am on Saturday). We pitched our tent and caught the bus into the town centre. It is an amazing city with all of its university colleges, each with such historically looking buildings forming the centre of the town. The river is a central draw card and the punts on the river bring back memories of Christchurch and the days before the earthquakes. Our choice of restaurant was decided on whether there was outside seating, and our choice of an Italien in the Market Square was the perfect ending to our week's break.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday morning we were up early to shower, take down the tent and then head back to Northampton, an hour and a half away. We have had some great camping experiences ov rhe last few weeks and we certainly would be happy to travel this way again if we return to the UK for another trip.

 

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