The Old Stracey CL, Norwich

     We set off on Friday 13^th June after I finished work just to get on our way.  Trouble is, on the way back from work, I heard there had been an accident on M40 that was impacting on the A34 just at the place that we had to go to join the Northampton road!  We still set off, thinking we could cut across country if we needed to.

     We did encounter traffic!  As early as the signs for the Stadium!  Which is a fair distance from the hold-ups that we were hearing about on the radio!  So we doubled back along the A34 to go up to Witney then back down to the A40 to Kidlington.  It took us out of our way by about 20 miles but we still probably arrived earlier than we would have had we persevered with the traffic.  However, we still encountered traffic along the narrow parts of the road and the traffic lighted bridge.  Some parts of the road were quite tight but Mike managed admirably even with his dodgy eyes!

     We arrived at the Highwayman Inn at Kidlington just after 6 pm, having set off from Amesbury at 3 pm.  Mike had already sussed that we would need to approach the entrance from the North but we did need to cross 2 lanes of traffic waiting at the traffic lights.  It wasn’t too bad - some kindly man waited and waved us on.  Mike was worried that the pub car park would start to fill up making our entrance awkward.  The entrance was a little awkward without that worry!  There was an ‘S’ bend down to the car park then we had to proceed through the car park to the far corner to the field.  This was accomplished quite easily although the actual entrance to the field was narrow and under a lovely weeping willow.

     Just as we arrived, the owner was cutting the grass of the field on his ride-on mower – with all the noise that accompanies it.  Just what we needed after the journey we'd just had!  He mowed in and out of the caravans - including ours even though we were setting up!  We finished setting up in record time then went across to the pub - mainly to move away from the noise of the mower. 

     The pub was friendly enough although we were quick to move outside as they had a large screen showing the football - well it was the first day of the World Cup.

     The canal ran alongside the pub garden and although the tables were at a slant, it was very pleasant - well it would've been had it not been for the noise of the mower.  Our food came - the lad who brought it assured us that we could get cutlery up at the pub! And guess what?! The mower was on it’s way around the tables now!  We were just about to move to our caravan when he parked up at the side and went into the pub.  Minutes later the chef came out to apologise about the mowing - ‘He’s the owner so we don’t have much say in what he does.'  Lo and behold the owner jumped back on the mower. We were about to move, again, when he took it off to put it away - hooray!  The food was rather on the dry side – double burger with bacon and cheese, chips and salad but was OK.

   After dinner we went for a walk along the canal - after all that sitting down, travelling, we wanted to get moving.  We came across another pub - The Jolly Boatman so had a drink there – the food certainly looked better there!  We sat along the canal watching a family of 10 ducks, one of which was yellow!  They got up to some adventures but Mum kept a watchful eye on them.  At one time they got onto a floating plank of wood to have their evening preen.  It was funny watching some of them topple off when they lost their balance.

     The night in the caravan was noisy to start with - trains and traffic - including some rather loud music emanating from some of them. We even had thunder overhead.  We were glad to leave that site!  Now our holiday can start with earnest!

     So, onto Norwich.  We decided to stop for lunch after a couple of hours.  That idea never really came to fruition as the service areas were extremely few and far between along the A428, A14 and A11.  We eventually pulled into a lay-by, put the stays down and had a brew.

     We got to the site, at Kirby Bedon without any hitches or hold ups. The pull-off from the road to the site is on a corner and is like a lay-by leading through a gate. We thought the back of the van was hanging onto the road so were a bit concerned as we had to find the owner to unlock the padlock on the gate.

The most picturesque service point ever!

     We set up on a hard standing but were asked to move the following day further onto the field.  There had been a mix up but we didn’t have any problem with it.  There is a tree in the middle of the field with a seat around it.  

It was a perfect setting for an ice tea after we had set up.  We then went to Tesco to get provisions and had a little explore in the car on the way back and found a pub down by the river – just over a mile away so within walking distance although the lane is narrow so we would have to take care especially if it is at night!

     We had a very restful evening playing Uno and talking. We even managed to sleep although there is a church clock which chimes every quarter hour but it is so soft that we didn’t notice it.

     Sunday saw us move the caravan, erect the awning then walk across the fields to a pub for Sunday lunch.The footpath Mike saw on Google Earth was extremely over grown but we pushed through. Some patches were as tall as me and by the time we emerged opposite the pub we were covered in seeds.  The meal was lovely – Steak and Ale pie and Steak and Kidney pudding.  The return walk was along the roads – much easier and just as quick.  Then a very restful afternoon and evening.

     Monday saw us catch the Park & Ride into Norwich.  Norwich in Norfolk!  Well, I thought it would be on the level.  Am I naive?  Norfolk is supposed to be flat, is it not?  Norwich certainly isn’t – not that there are Gold Hill Hovis-type hills but there are definitely roads that are of a certain inclination.  Anyway, as we had taken the P&R, we could get into the Castle for about half price - so we did.
     The castle is square just like a box so looked slightly odd – not what a typical castle looks like.  The grounds ie. moat had been changed into gardens which looked very pleasant.  Inside the castle we were directed to the Keep which had various exhibits and information.  All very interesting – but with all of these things (for me at least) they are very interesting but never remembered, let alone recalled!  Please take my word for it, it was very interesting.  The exhibits included Vikings and Normans, Egyptian, Natural History, Regimental and local knowledge alongside the life and times throughout the castle’s lifetime.  Lunch in the cafe was lovely!  Quiche and salad – very tasty and very filling! (I remembered that!)

     Following the cafe we had a walk around Norwich. As we didn’t really have a purpose, we didn’t really know where we were going so walked aimlessly.  We did find the largest (200 stalls) market in the country, although many of the stalls were closed.  Maybe we should pay another visit on another day.  Back to the P&R and a sit down. Aaahhh & relax for a few minutes.  We can’t seem to walk slowly these days without getting really achy.  Back to the caravan for a siesta and chill.

     The following day we returned to Norwich and looked around the old quarter with its cobbled roads and individual shops. We walked through these streets on our way hoping to see Nita and Tiny, some friends from our Navy days in Scotland.  They have a pub - The Alexandra Tavern in Suffolk Street and we helped them move down into it in 1986.  It's funny, Tiny had all these ideas for the pub when they moved, like calling an area to the side of the pub - the Yard of Ale.  I wonder if it's called that now.  Tiny rowed the Atlantic in 2005 for charity.  More info here.
     The reunion was full of stories and tales of family. We had a lot of catching up to do!  We exchanged numbers with the promise that we will meet up again before we go home.

     On the way back into Norwich centre, we passed the RC Cathedral,
St John the Baptist so we went in to look around and visit the cafe (and more importantly, the loos).  Sitting in the cathedral grounds you could be forgiven for thinking that it was in the country, it was so serene and quiet.  We did think about looking around the Promenade Gardens just to the side of it but a bus full of people had just alighted to do just that so we gave it a miss.  Perhaps another day.

     Wednesday saw us take a drive out to Wells by the Sea.  We followed a road to the beach carpark but were taken so far away from the town that we decided to double back and look for a car park closer then look around the harbour and streets.  Wells by the Sea is a small place with only one street with shops but those shops were individual and eclectic.  Primarily, I was looking for somewhere to have a crab sandwich, which we found in a little cafe, the Picnic Hut. They make all their sandwiches, salads, cakes themselves and although the salad was lacking, the sandwich and the cakes excelled.  In the harbour, there is an old ship that is now permanently alongside and is also a cafe specialising in pancakes and omelettes. .

     Back at the car park we noticed a one-up, one-down house so naturally had to take a photo of it.  I then noticed a sign in the window stating that the house hadn’t been habited since 1935 but was used by the ostler loading beer barrels onto the draymans wagon for delivery to the local hostelries.

    It didn’t take long to look around Wells by the Sea so we went up to Sherringham. This was a larger town with the main road heading towards the sea.  There was also a train station that was along the Poppy line. Looked lovely but we didn’t partake in a steam train ride.

     We had a look around the small market that was in the car park then went into the town.      We came across this unusual Police Public Call Box. It looked like it was a waiting room for people.  On the way we saw people with Mr. Whippy ice creams – something I can’t resist – yes even after my crab sandwich!      Mike ordered a large ’99 so I followed suit. Wow, they were whoppers! We decided to walk along the sea wall whilst we ate them. We walked quite some distance before we finished them.      The day was rather overcast and the waves were crashing onto the shore but it was still good to be beside the seaside beside the sea!.
     Mike had put together a chicken chorizo dish in the slow cooker which we could smell as we returned to the caravan.  I bet the other caravaners were a little envious of the tasty dinner we had awaiting us!

     The following day we met up with Neet and Tiny. They took us to the Chalk Hill Brewery that Tiny had started with a friend and were now supplying their own pubs with. It was all very interesting and impressive. We then walked down by the river. It was quite a walk and we were a little concerned for Tiny as he had recently had a boating accident where his knee became dislocated and had to be reset so he was walking on crutches. They showed us some of the sights such as Cow Tower and Pulls Quay then it was time for a refreshing drink. They both know quite a few landlords so they knew which hostelries to visit.    

We then walked up Elm Hill, a lovely cobbled hill with small shops and old buildings. We certainly saw a side of Norwich that we may not have encountered had we not been guided by our friends.

   On Friday we went back into Norwich on the park and ride and looked around Norwich cathedral. The main gate was lovely but, as we later found out, it didn’t take us to the main entrance! They were busy getting it ready for the ordination of a cardinal (or some such) so it was a hive of industry and not very peaceful!

We saw some unusual gargoyles in the cloisters

    The main stained glass window was very colourful.  Apparently the Victorians didn’t like it so bright so they put a sheen over it. Luckily this was removed around 1996 to leave the glass in all its glory to show with the sunshine.

    When we left the cathedral, via the main entrance, we saw this really bent building. How it remained standing was a mystery. Probably by the surrounding buildings as in Amsterdam!

     In the evening we returned to Norwich all scrubbed and clean for dinner. We found a Lebanese restaurant and as we hadn’t had Lebanese cuisine before we decided to ‘give it a go’.
     It was a small place with only about 10 tables but we received a warm welcome.  We were told that there weren’t any Foul beans which were a similar to runner beans (we later found them growing on the outside flat roof and they were still in the flowering stage). I felt the selection of food was fairly limited – lamb, fish, beef and of course vegetarian.
    As I have said it was a small restaurant with father doing the cooking and son serving, I think.  The food was very good!  When we received the bill we noticed they hadn’t added on the desserts we had so we told him. He thanked us for being honest and then only charged us for one.  Honesty does pay!

     Getting back into the car park was a different matter as the shopping centre where we came out of had closed.  A waiter from a nearby restaurant told us we needed to go along the way to a night time entrance. It wasn’t very clear but at least we were able to get the car and return to the caravan.

Saturday saw us doing our cycle ride along to the nearby garden centre which, we were told, also had a shopping outlet and cafe, which we took advantage of!  It was good to get out and about on the bikes.  On our return, and after a sit down, we took the awning down in readiness for our departure the next day.  The day was glorious and we both caught the sun.
     A lovely holiday!