England. May to September 2018
4. Norfolk.
Norfolk was always one of our favourite places to visit for a weekend when we were working so we were happy to spend a few days there with Di and David in June and then have another couple of days there in July.
Fakenham
In June we stayed at a campsite near Fakenham which had a walled garden, which we were grateful for as it was quite windy for much of the time. We, of course, had to have a BBQ on our first evening (Wednesday).
On the Friday James (Di & David's son), Sophie and grandson Bertie arrived which was a lovely surprise and stayed with us until Sunday.
Blickling Hall
On Thursday we visited Blickiling Hall, an imposing Jacobean mansion set in gardens and parkland. It is managed by the NAtional Trust. After wandering through the rooms that were open in the house we had a walk around the formal gardens.
The dining room.
A very impressive library.
We always find the kitchen area of these old houses facinating with all the old stoves and equipment.
The formal gardens at the back of the house were beautifully kept.
Holme Nature Reserve
On Friday Di, David, Kevin and I drove to Holme Nature Reserve which is on the North Norfolk coast. We walked through the dunes towards Hunstanton and then back along an empty beach.
We returned to Holme Nature Reserve on Saturday as Bertie wanted to go to the beach. Kevin and I meandered through the dunes while the rest of them, plus 3 dogs, walked along the shoreline. Afterwards we had an excellent fish and chip lunch at at nearby cafe.
Cawston
Our second visit was to a small site a few miles north of Norwich. There was a disused railway next to the site which had been turned into walk/cycle way - Marriott's Way. As we'd got our bikes we spend a morning riding along the path stopping at a couple of old stations which now have shops, cafes and a museum.
Last updated: February 2021