Wednesday 29th May (Day 1)
So off to Norfolk. First stop two nights at Sea Palling just up from Great Yarmouth. Our first actual stop was only 400m from the motorhome base, as we found an LPG supplier that close. So, full of water, diesel and gas we set off properly. A pleasant run up the A12 and then A140 arriving at Sea Palling about 2.00pm. We settle in and had a tea. Well we nearly didn't have tea as someone (me) left the milk in the fridge at home. (I got some from a neighbour.) Then we went for a walk over the sand dunes and along the sea front into Sea Palling itself. It is a small place and, to us, quite unattractive. Back at the site and soon after our return Eric and Resa arrived. The rest of the day was just chat, dinner, chat and bed.
Thursday 30th May (Day 2)
So a decision was made last night and it was not to spend another night here but to move to Shripton School, Hunstanton a Motor Caravanners Club meet. It involved a journey of about 60 miles (well 80 for Eric). Off we went around 10.00am and stopped for milk as for some reason we needed it. We arrived around midday and found over 100 motorhomes parked up. We sorted ourselves and had a drink and soon after Eric and Resa arrived. Lunch was followed by a walk into Hunstanton and quite a long walk along the sea front before returning to the town and looking in the shops. Then back to the site. The weather was still good despite a strong breeze and we had a joint BBQ and sat in the screen house to shelter from the wind. Then we strolled over to the school hall to be entertained by a man called Trevor Leeson. It is often good to have low expectations of such an event, if it is bad you are not disappointed and if good very happy. Trevor Leeson entertained us all night with some great one liners and jokes and a variety of music, a good all round entertainer and really good. Things were winding up at 11.00pm so bed beckoned.
Friday 31st May (Day 3)
A bright start to the day and bacon bagel to get us going. A few chores and then we got the bikes out for a cycle. I had planned a five to six mile circular route taking in a local hall and grounds and, halfway, a pub. Things can, and did, change. We cycled along a permissive route but it was only permissive on Thursdays from 9.00am until dusk. Being retired we had no idea what day it was so cycle on anyway. We arrived at Hunstanton Hall a quite lovely building that has for centuries been in the 'Le Strange' family. While admiring the building a man appeared (a "Le Strange'?) and shouted at us to, well, go away as we were not welcome and didn't we know the day. The property had quite a history as in the 18th century the Dame of the Le Strange house, who had a very much loved Persian rug (!) got her son to promise on her death bed to keep the rug in the family and in the hall. Almost a century later the new, American, lady of the house found the carpet, dusty and dirty so cut it up and gave the pieces to the locals. From then on strange things happened. She then went around, got the rug pieces back, stitched them together and peace and harmony was restored. Anyway not being able to cycle through the Le Strange Estate added a couple of miles to the route. So off we went again with a short stop at St Mary the Virgin, Hunstanton church - full of the graves of the 'Le Strange's as far back as 1655. On leaving we took back lanes to the pub shown on our map. Well, we arrived in Ringstead and it wasn't there! The map was only bought in 1979! Downhearted we continued on our route only to discover about half a mile further on ........... a pub not marked on our 'historic' map. Joy of joys. A bit of supporting of the hosterly trade and then off on the last leg home. Again our route was altered due to a road being 'Private'. Another couple of miles added. Back at the site, after just short of ten miles cycling, we had lunch and sat and chatted. During this we played at trying a different way to get our bikes in the garage part of the motorhome and think we may have found a better way, thanks to Resa & Eric. Then it was a chill out evening until bed.
Saturday 1st June (Day 4)
A lovely sunny start with the weather forecast promising it would not only stay but get better. After breakfast we went for a stroll in to Hunstanton and then northwards along the coast. The wind had died away and with the sunshine it was glorious. Having reached the next beach (with a coffee stop) we returned the way we had come. Partway back we found we were on the 'Wolf Trail' and found a statue of a howling wolf. More St Edmuinds folklore surround this. Apparently when St Edmund was defeated by the Danish army he was tied to a tree, tortured and the archers used him as a practise target. Eventually he was beheaded. His followers buried his body but could not find his head. Searching in the woods they heard St Edmund's head yelling 'Here, here", and they found his head in a thicket guarded by a wolf which left as they approached. Our homeward journey continued and we felt the need for an ice cream stop - gooseberry ice cream for some. By the time we were back at the site it was gone 2.00pm and none of us were particularly hungry (well except for Eric). So we just lazed in the sun until we cooked an early dinner. By 8.00pm we were in 'O'quiqleys', an Irish bar, to watch the European Cup Final between Liverpool and Spurs. Expecting the bars to be heaving I was quietly surprised to find a table with a view and a fairly empty bar. Not a good match with Liverpool winning 2-0 but it did have its, occasional, moments. We then strolled back to our motorhomes and went straight to bed.
Sunday 2nd June (Day 5)
A sticky warm night. On awaking We had our usual simple breakfast, for a leaving day. A decision was made to miss the 'Chairman's' chat and 'dodgy' raffle and so by just after 10.00am we were on our way home. A good drive and by just before 1.00pm we were at Braintree and 2.00pm Home.