Monday 11th July (Day 1)
Today it is off to Norfolk. First a quick trip to the doctors for a blood sample to be taken followed by the Post Delivery Office for a parcel. By around 11.00am we were off. Before really being ‘off’ we stopped at Fengrain around the corner from us as it was a public weighbridge. This was because this is the first trip with the new tow bar and support steels plus e-bikes and spare wheel. While the total weight was some 200Kg under the maximum we were 30Kg overweight on the rear axle. Only about 1.4% and something that can be sorted now we know. The route was the A47 nearly all the way. The part around Wisbech was quite congested but after that it was an easy drive. That is except for the last few miles which was along much narrower roads - still not really an issue. We arrived at Bridge House Holiday site, Waxham just before 1.30pm to find we were the first of the usual gang to arrive. The site is a ‘cl’ type small field. The site is quite remote and small. It has a sceptic tank for a toilet (to be avoided) and, if the wind is in the ‘wrong’ direction there can be a whiff! Dave and Jackie, who we knew, and are Ron and Barbara’s good friends, were there and had been since yesterday. We were soon set up and then Resa and Eric arrived followed closely by Sue and Alan. (Dave and Gill and Chris and Graham had tested Covid positive so will not be here - or maybe depending on future tests.) We then just sat around and caught up on news. A short 100m stroll to the nearby river / channel was the most exercise we had. We all cooked dinner and then slowly congregated around our awning for the evening. (No (S)Uno!)
Tuesday 12th July (Day 2)
A warm but overcast start to the day. Even some rain is a possibility despite the forecasters over the weekend claiming record highs and wall-to-wall sunshine. After breakfast Chris, Eric and I went for a stroll along the Waxham New Cut. Quite soon, only about 500ms stroll the pathway veered aways rom the water and back towards the road. Along this stretch we saw our first crane, which Norfolk is well known for. We continued on and finished a circular walk along the road. Arriving back abut 11.20am. Just after noon almost all of us got on our bikes to cycle along the disused military road to Ron’s dad’s house (Big Ron who is 95). It was almost all of us but one couple had no bikes and Ron drove them. Big Ron’s house and grounds (7 acres) is much too remote for us. We bumped along the military road which needed some TLC over a wooden bridge past the pump house and disused windmill (all on Big Ron’s land) and up to the summer house. Here Ron had arranged a pop up pub with some nibbles. His dad came out and something was clearly wrong. )In the ned he was taken to hospital and kept in for a day.) Whiling away the time chatting it started to rain, well more of a pathetic spitting. Not enough to deter us really. It was about 3.00pm we cycled back. Poor Alan as he attempted to turn into the site from the stoney road the bike wheels went from under him and he came a right purler, straining his back quite badly. Next on the agenda was a meal at the Nelson's Head in Horsey. Just before 7.00pm we all piled into three cars as the site owner, Gary, and his wife, Sheila joined us. Alan sat in the front as his back was causing him problems and every bump elicited a painful cry. Arriving at the pub we were informed we were in the marquee which was very nice. Just us fourteen all to ourselves. The meal was nice without being exceptional. Eventually we returned to sit outside and chat.
Wednesday 13th July (Day 3)
Another warm day in the offing. After breakfast we just sat around until about 10.40am when we all piled into two vehicles and drove the mile or so to Horsey Windpump where we were going on a wildlife boat trip. What followed was an hour of pleasure seeing marsh harriers, bearded tits (that don’t have beards nor are they truly tits) and may more birds and flying insects. Returning to dry land some of us had a quick visit to the wind pump followed by a short drive to Poppylands which was a cafe that emulated the war. A nice savoury scone and tea for us. Next another short drive to the beach to spot basking seals. There were not many around but there were a few of which two were on the beach ‘sunbathing’. Ron then offered a further drive around the area which we all agreed would be good idea. It culminated in a stop at The Pleasure Boat Inn (we have stayed here previously in the motorhome). The pub itself was undergoing major refurbishment but they had a pop-up bar so it would be rude not to support them. It was then back to the site for a game of Kubb and another ladder / bar game. A cooked tea before we split into groups for the Mexican Train Game. Bed was 11.00pm-ish
Thursday 14th July (Day 4)
A varied day today. For breakfast Chris and I cycled a mile to a called 'The Barn' while the others went by car. A pleasant, not exceptional, breakfast followed. We then had planned a circular cycle ride so off Chris and I went. The route (Sea Palling; along the coast and then inland to Lessingham; Ingham and home) was about 13 miles. Halfway was the inevitable pub, The Star, but we had arrived too early! So instead of being saddos and waiting we cycled on to the Ingham and The Swan, or the Swanky Swan as we named it. Allegedly people like Bernie Ecclestone fly in here occasionally for a meal. A nice coffee and hand made chocolarte and then off again on the ride home. We got back about 1.00pm in time for the 1.45pm departure to Horning where we were going on a ‘Paddle Steamer’. Arriving in good time we boarded and had a ninety minute trip along the Broads. Kingfishers and herons were the main attractions apart form the very expensive riverside properties. The broads comprise of seven rivers, 63 former peat pits (now flooded) and dozens of man made cuts to join it all up. None of it is much deeper than eight feet. Upon returning we all sat in the Swan (not the swanky one) for a beer watching the boats. A return to base and a late dinner followed by the ladder / bar game
Friday 15th July (Day 5)
So today a two hour journey to Clare and the Priory for a weekend with the Motor Caravanners Club. We couldn’t leave the site when we were ready as the exit was blocked by Eric and Resa's motorhome. So we had to wait until they left. We said our goodbyes and were off by 11.00am-ish The main route was A47 / A11. All was well until the A11 roadworks which took a time to get through. A stop at Theftford for Tescos and then to the Priory. Unfortunately the 600m road from the main road to the Priory was shut for roadworks. This then involved a 9Km country lane trip to the site meeting an articulated lorry part of the way. Having arrived Eric and I stood by the main road redirecting the rest of the group. A nice chat and a BBQ followed. We all sat out and played bingo (I was the caller) and then had music and lots of laughter until bedtime.
Saturday 16th July (Day 6)
Another good start to the day and the weather forecaster said it would be ‘scorchio’. After breakfast we had a slow walk into Clare town and Castle / battlements. A walk to the top of the keep gave a good view over the surrounding area. Then a slow walk through the park on way to the town where there was a small market. The cool of the large church was the next item and a nice break from the heat. The church, from the outside, is impressive as a rich wool town church would be expected to be. Inside it failed to match that and was quite bland. After a stroll around we started the return walk to the site. The Swan pub with a large wooden swan motif from the nearby castle was next. A couple of pints sitting in the garden, roasting in the sunshine. There was large marquee with a 1st birthday party being held in it! A bit over the top we thought. Back at the site we got our meat out of the freezer for tonights BBQ. Then 3.00pm saw us all congregate for a games afternoon; Kubb, Mollky and horseshoes. Around 5.00pm we returned to our MH’s and set our tables out all together for the 6 o’clock Hawaiian themed meal. All wore bright shirts and Lai’s around our necks. Some had hats, grass skirts, flowers in their hair all this accompanied by Hawaiian music. Gill had given us a couple of Hawaiian quiz’s to do so she then gave us the answers. We then sat around in groups mingling and chatting well into the late evening.
Sunday 17th July (Day 7)
Again a hot one in the offing. We were leaving promptly around 10.30am to get home in order to go to the Wimblington Summer Fair. We left on time after a round of goodbyes, We had a nice run home to start with - pleasant country lanes. After about ten miles we got a tex informing us that the Fair we were returning to go to was cancelled due to the heat. Onwards we went onto the A142 to Chatteris. However just after Ely the main road (the A142) was shut and the ‘diverted traffic’ signs made no sense. We went off piste and via Welney via the real Fenland back roads. This meant an average speed less that 30mph due to the state of the roads. Home by 1.30pm .
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