Friday 9th October (Day 1)
So another trip to Thorpe-le-Soken. First off a visit to Morrisons at Chelmsford for a couple of items and then drop Chris off at Broomfield Hospital for a 2.00pm appointment to be seen by the 'Hand Clinic' after her recent operation. I parked around the back of the hospital. By just after 2.30pm she telephoned me as she had finished. (Plaster cut off and replaced by a splint and also having been given exercises for her hand.) It was then an easy run to Grange Farm Campsite at Thorpe-le-Soken. A stop for (cheap) diesel on the way though. We parked up on hard standing behind Resa, Eric, Dave and Gill whoa arrived a short time before us. We then joined them for a cup of tea and scone with jam and clotted cream. By about 5.30pm we went for a stroll around the site (there were five other Motor Cavanning Club motorhomes also present in another field). We then continued our stroll into the village and back and we returned to our ‘bases’. We had a pre-prepared curry, Dave and Gill lasagne and Eric and Resa a Chinese, all very cosmopolitan. The evening was an ‘all gather in Resa’s motorhome’ chat and a game of (S)UNO. Dave had been up since 5.00am (work!) and so just before 11.00pm we all retired as he was nodding off!
Saturday 10th October (Day 2)
A chilly night but, with putting the heating on first thing, the motorhome soon warmed up nice and toasty. As we had all decided to go to Walton-on-the Naze we ‘knew’ we would be having lunch out so we just had a bacon butty to start the day. 10.45am saw us all strolling down to the railway station. Gill had mentioned that she hadn’t heard a train today and, sure enough, there was a bus replacement service due to maintenance work. The upside was the drivers were not taking cash so a free trip. We opted to get off at Frinton-on-Sea and walk along the High Street to the seafront and then along the shoreline to Walton. Part way we had to stop and take shelter from a rain shower. Arriving at Walton we continued through the town but then upon reaching the end of the main part turned around as it was lunchtime. A pub met this need (what a surprise). A very nice leisurely meal and then back to the railway station for the free bus ‘home’. We then all gathered in our MH and celebrated Resa and Eric’s birthdays with a cake we baked before coming. Dave went for a snooze and the rest departed our motorhome around 5.00pm. After a snack tea we walked to the local social club. Here we spent a pleasant two plus hours. While there we played a few games of darts and I had a 100% record. That is to say I didn’t win a game. Just before 10.00pm we left as the Covid restrictions meant pubs etc must close by then. A walk back in the pitch dark marvelling at all the stars we could see. Then a short chat (yes more) in one of the motorhomes before we all went to bed.
Sunday 11th October (Day 3)
A chilly night again, although we were snug. A small (yoghurt) breakfast as we were out for lunch. It was a nice sunny day and so we sat out for elevenses. By midday the other two motorhomes had to be off site, we were staying an extra night. Resa and Eric gave us a lift to the local marina where we were all booked in for Sunday lunch. We were a bit early and Eric had two old friends who live on a catamaran in the marina so we strolled to see it and, indeed, both of them were on board. After a brief chat we walked to the restaurant where we were seated in the conservatory part of the restaurant with a nice view over the marina. The meal itself was unremarkable but pleasant, albeit not very hot. That aside we spent three hours eating and chatting. Resa and Eric then dropped us back in Thorpe-le-Soken and we bade farewell. A walk back to the motorhome where we sat and planned our stop for tomorrow evening. It was decided to be about ninety minutes away in Harleston, Suffolk. We then went for a short walk before sitting and chilling watching the tv. A simple cheese, bread and pickles for tea. Around 8.00pm we strolled up to the Social Club where we thought a few of the other MCC people might be. As usual we were welcomed warmly and found six of the group present. This, potentially, was a problem as we could only be on groups of six. We sat on the next table and chatted and played a game of darts (I still have a 100% - losing - record). During the evening some of the six came and joined us and it was nice to chat with people not in our usual group. By 10.00pm we were all walking back to the site. It was then time for footy on the tv and midnight saw us in bed.
Monday 12th October (Day 4)
We have identified yesterday a certified location at The Black Swan, Homefield, just outside Harleston. On arriving we were the only people there. We set up and had lunch while I worked out a couple of potential walks for the afternoon. We opted for a circular walk visiting Harleston itself. We had a pleasant walk along backroads into the town (the signs stated ‘Historic Harleston’). We have no idea what made it ’historic’. Chris has, for over two years, been looking for a pair of blue boots - leather not suede and with a low heel. We went into a shoe shop to look and the owner produced exactly what she had been looking for and had her size, a result. After trying them we left with the successful purchase. To celebrate we crossed over for a coffee in a café (we know how to rock). We continued on our walk which, for the return, was to follow the Angles Way. It was a much nicer walk across fields, through a herd of cows and bulls which was a bit traumatic for Chris (see Trip 86 - day 13 for an explanation why) and finally through a lovely wood. On arriving back it started to rain so our timing was good. In all we covered about 8 miles. A cooked tea, a bit of TV and a quick drink in the pub followed. We discussed with the landlord how to get our deposit back in the gate key as he didn't open until midday tomorrow. It was suggested the cleaners would assist so we were happy with that. Then is was back to retire.
Tuesday 13th October (Day 5)
We had rain overnight but it stopped early morning. We had to arrange to return the key and get our deposit back (£20). The landlord informed us they opened at midday but we wanted to leave earlier. I unlocked the gate to the field and went to the pub but ...no cleaners. I then rang the pub telephone and after a short while the landlord appeared (looking like he had got out of bed). Why the gate was not locked with a coded lock I do not know as many motorhome people would want to be away before midday. We drove out of the field and parked up in their car park to cook and eat breakfast and to also sort tonight’s stop. We identified a nice stop about twenty minutes away but on contacting them they stated that the field was too wet and boggy. We looked around and decided to go to a Caravan and Motorhome Club site at Sandringham. We have wanted to visit here for quite a while. We wanted to stay two nights but they apparently only had one night available. We still agreed to go there. First off we drove to Bungay as we needed a butchers and a couple of kitchen items. It was only about five miles away and, indeed, along our route. Parking was easy and the town itself was quite small and twee. Having got what we needed, and more, we drove to Sandringham Club site. On arriving and speaking to them in person two nights was possible. We parked up and had lunch. After which we sat for a while and worked out a walk. Off we went to Sandringham Estate which is about a mile and a half away through the forest. On arriving there we found the estate closes at the beginning of October, although the shop etc was open - and expensive. After looking around the shop we decided to walk to Wolferton. This is a small village owned almost entirely by the Queen. We stayed at a cottage here some 38 years ago that Chris’ dad rented for a family holiday and we were keen to see if we could find the cottage. Upon entering Wolferton village we found that the railway station has been turned into living accommodation of a few ‘bungalows’ and is very pretty. We then found the cottage we stayed at, which surprised us that we recognised it. Part way back while walking though the woods we found a large red mushroom about 14cm across, which was very unusual - red and spotty. We continued on the walk and when about a mile from home it started to drizzle. We got back damp but not wet and after eight miles it was time to sit and rest. A nice meal (lamb chops, onion sauce, roast potatoes, broccoli and french beans with gravy) was soon rustled up. Then we just chilled.
Wednesday 14th October (Day 6)
A bit of rain through the night and it continued for the strat of the morning, so we did not get up until 9.30am! Then it was going through the motions for a normal start, except that normal is still not normal as Chris cannot shower without help. After breakfast a few housekeeping jobs were undertaken, which was followed by coffee. We, well I, had planned, a circular walk taking in Castle Rising. First we made lunch to take with us. Then it was off for an eight mile stroll. Quite soon we came across some people with sheep dogs putting the dogs through their paces herding sheep using a whistle and the time-honoured phrase “kumbay’ (who knows the spelling). The first real stop was Castle Rising itself. We took a stroll around the village as the houses / cottages etc were really nice. Part way we found an open entrance to the Castle grounds in we went. The castle itself was on a high mound with a deep ditch / moat around, probably hence ’Castle Rising’. We strolled around the grassy area only to find the place was closed and other gates locked, perhaps we should not have been there although I am sure Lord Howard would not have minded. That said we found a chair which Chris sat on to eat lunch. We then continued on the walk. However, quite quickly it started raining so we took shelter in a building, which was named ’The Black Horse’. Outside was a 1965 Wolsey with wedding ribbons and inside we met the bride, not a young thing and clearly it was a ‘period’ wedding. After a while, and having had our pants taken down - £9 for two pints, we continue on. Again though it started to rain quite heavily and with no suitable hostelry nearby. We were fortunate though to manage to find refuge under a large bush. When it eased we continued on across fields and through woods before regaining a back road and finishing the walk ‘home’. First thing then was a cup of tea and shortbread biscuits. Then a laze around until dinner and tv into the evening.
Thursday 15th October (Day 7)
The rain started around 4.00am and was quite heavy. When we got up (9.00am) it was still hammering it down so the short walk this morning was called off. After the normal routine we sat around as we had only a thirty minute trip to the next site, Brecklands Meadows just outside Swaffham. Midday was the earliest we could arrive. 11.30am saw us move off and the first job before actually leaving the site was to fill and empty everything. We went to the motorhome point to find us third in line. We were soon sorted though and off we went. Swaffham was the destination. As the crow flies it is only about 20km but we have to drive into Kings Lynn and out - if we wanted to avoid narrow back roads. We also needed some supplies so an Aldi stop in Kings Lynn met our needs. As we drove on we found a Sainsbury’s with good price diesel so I filled up. While doing so Chris popped into the store which, she claimed, was the biggest Sainsbury’s she had ever been in. Twenty minutes later we arrived at the site and soon were settled in. Within twenty minutes of us arriving both Chris and Graham and Su and Alan arrived in convoy and twenty minutes later Resa and Eric. We were all parked up and had our lunch and then, as the weather had improved, we sat out in sunshine together - 2m apart! As the late afternoon approached it chilled down and we all went inside and cooked our dinners. Then we paired up as all eight were not allowed in the motorhomes together so Su and Alan came to us and (S)UNO was played until gone 11.00pm
Friday 16th October (Day 8)
So today it is a bus ride to Dereham. After the usual starting routine we were all outside the campsite awaiting the 11.12am Excel ‘B’ bus towards Norwich. Due to a serious collision on the A47 it was delayed but, fortunately, only by ten minutes. £6.40 return for the two ‘young souls’ that had to pay from our group of eight. Half an hour later we were getting off the bus into Dereham Market Place where a small (very) market was in operation. Doesn’t matter how small some will always find something to buy! A stroll around the town and the shops for a hour or so, visiting some ‘must visit’ shops where, admittedly, some good purchases were made. Then it was on to the Cock Inn (yes we have done all the jokes) for a pint, soup and roll. They also had interesting signs around. 2.45pm saw us boarding the bus for the return journey and, on getting back Dave and Gill had arrived. We all sat out in quite warm sunshine as a group, suitably apart, and chatted. Dinner and then into different smaller ‘inside’ groups for the evening. We joined Chris and Graham (and Masie) for a game of Mexican Train Game which took all evening and it was gone 11.30pm when we crossed the driveway to our Motorhome for sleep.
Saturday 17th October (Day 9)
A pleasant start to the day. Late morning we all left for a stroll into Swaffham. Behind the camp site was a disused railway line that would take us into town and we strolled the leafy route, avoiding a bit of mud here and there. In less than twenty minutes we were in the town itself. Like yesterday there was a market, which was a bit larger than yesterday. It was both things you would expect from a market but with antiques also and even an auction in the street of several hundred items (mostly of questionable value / use). This all occupied us for two or so hours. Then it was food time and like pavlov’s dog Eric wanted to go to the café run by eastern Europreans that we have been to on the two previous occasion we have been to Swaffham. That said a pleasant, good value if not good quality, meal / snack was had. After this Chris and Graham (plus Maisie) took the bus back to the site, they also got here by bus, while we all walked back. The weather was again kind to us and we sat out for awhile before going in for dinner and then into groups for games. It was again around 11.00pm for bedtime.
Sunday 18th October (Day 10)
Today was always going to be a lazy day as the weather forecast was quite poor and was correct. Mid morning Dave and Gill announced that they would not be going for Sunday lunch with us and, indeed, had to leave straight away as Dave’s 90 year old dad was not well. So apart from saying our goodbyes to them not much happened before about 1.20pm when we all met outside to walk along the roadway into Swaffham (Chris and Graham again took the bus). We had booked two tables for Sunday lunch at the White Hart pub. We sat in two groups of four and all had a great Sunday lunch which, with beer and wine came to £45 a couple. The people who own the pub even gave Maisie a plate of meat, potatoes and gravy for herself. Afterwards it was a slow stroll back and a chill. We skipped tea apart from a piece of cake and then the men and women went into two separate groups for the evening. The men played the Mexican Train Game and the women (S)UNO. By 10.30pm we had finished our game and I said goodnight as I wanted to watch MOTD2 on tv. As we walked back ‘home’ the women were doing likewise, good timing. After footy it was bed - just before midnight.
Monday 19th October (Day 11)
We found yesterday that our electric water heating had stopped working so we heated up the water by gas for washing etc. By 10.00am we went to say goodbye to all with a special goodbye to Chris as she was, hopefully, having a hip replacement in less than ten days time. We then had a great run home arriving by 11.50am. We emptied the motorhome, got washing on, cleaned the motorhome and then took it to its base collecting our car in return. A good trip.
Comments