Back roads and unusual spires on our way to Cambridge Monday 30th June End of Financial Year

On reflection this day has always been an extremely busy one for me, when I was in business.  I recall one year when we completed all the reports for our owners at 3.15am.  Certainly was a long night.  These days though I wouldn't last anywhere near those times.  We left Wells Next Sea in sunshine, after a long breakfast with our fellow guests, all of whom were  at the same pub the night before, and all of whom had definite ideas of dogs in pubs.  Apparently after we left, a group came in with two dogs, and they allowed the dogs to get on the table.  Nuff said.  Our authorities would be horrified if that happened, as we were in unison.

The Old Customs House in Wells Next to Sea, a good choice for a holiday by the water

In our opinion there is a place for dogs, and it is in parks, on the beach or on the lead, definitely not inside libraries, British museums, buses and trains, nor in restaurants in pubs or any other eating establishment.

Along our journey today we drove through the countryside, through lots of old villages, passed many fields of potatoes and corn (?) or maize, and saw the most unusual church spires that we have ever seen.

Finally we stopped in a town called Diss, for lunch.  Not much happens here, so the driver said, until we turned into the Town Centre.  What a lively place.  The roosters wandered along the road, holding up traffic, the ducklings wandered freely where ever, and there were so many people in town for a Monday.

We wandered up the hill towards the Church of St Mary the Virgin, an Anglican church on top of the hill, and again with a different spire.

Now me being one who wants to find out about these iron spires, hasn't had much luck at working out when they were put on the church, even google is not telling me much.

But history often can be found in the strangest places, here we were looking at some story boards in the museum, and I recognised the names in a story about Sir Robert Fitz Walter one of the people instrumental in getting King John to sign the Magna Carta.  

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You see my ancestor King John wanted to marry Sir Robert's daughter, and he wouldn't let him, so King John poisoned her poached egg! He then confiscated all the lands and exciled Sir Robert.   Lovely story don't you think.  Sir Robert got his own back by making King John sign the Magna Carta, but like many politicians the King didn't take much notice of it any way!

This was the beginning of the church in 1290, as Sir Robert began construction on the church then.  We met the Rector, and he showed us a staircase to the Parvice over the North Porch, such a narrow steep staircase I have no idea how they managed to climb up to their sleeping quarters, considering the robes that were worn then.

Turns out our Rector was leaving to go for lunch, but being interested in John's Anglican missionaries and involvement in the Anglican Church, told us about his trips to Australia and his sister who lived in Bundaberg. 

I spotted some stained glass panels on the windows, and told him they were originally from 1500's (I learnt that bit in Newcastle) he didn't seem to be aware of it, but gave us a brochure about the church, and sure enough these pieces date from that era.

Now like a lot of churches they have dwindling numbers and need to re-invent themselves, but I think their proposal to remove all these kneeling cushions and open up the seating is a bad idea.  

They are so colourful and not something we had seen before

Lunch at our favourite sandwich shop Grieggs.  About the only place with really fresh bread, and small baguettes, made on the day.  I have avoided the scones, jam and cream since the first time cause the scones sit out in the open air, and are more like rock cakes.  Another thing we haven't bought is a slice of Victoria sponge.  Now a sponge cake is meant to be eaten the day it is made.  Homemade cakes it said in one place I asked if the sponge was fresh, it was made yesterday she said, it will last 3 days!  Never!  And at $6 a slice.

Anyway on wards we went from Diss to Eye, funny names, but again another unusually old church and buildings around it.

I think the Arabs must own this horse stud, it is nearly as spectacular as the Queen's

We are now in Anstey Hall just outside Cambridge, for the next 3 nights.  Looks like fine weather for the first days of July.

For the communication buffs out there, let me share this with you.  My Lebara sim card which somehow had to be reset after we came back from Ireland, (and which the call centre would never have been able to fix), has given me problems while we have been in the area from Sandringham to Wells Next to Sea.

I had no internet connection.  Then this morning up pops a message, Vodaphone network not connected.  So now I worked it all out.  Lebara, which is owned by Vodaphone, uses dedicated Lebara towers in different parts of the country and must use Vodaphone in other places.

When the Samsung tech showed me the problem regarding the sim card it was because the Lebara network was not included as a network on my tablet.  Now why did their system remove it  in the first place when we went to Ireland.  The tech showed me which networks were on the tablet, and even my Telstra was missing.  So we decided I only needed Lebara and Telstra, and he removed the rest.  Not such an easy task because not only do you search for the networks, they all come with some code as well.  So now I have the answers to my communications problems, because half way along today my Lebara network kicked back in.

After changing the network towers I think my Telstra has disappeared also.  

If you intend travelling around the UK do not get a Lebara card, stick to an O2 or Vodaphone, we were not wise to this and never thought it would be so difficult.  But I am glad I solved the issue!

Had my whinge about them now!!!

Four seasons in one day Norfolk UK Sunday 29th June

Last night when the tide was in, the boats were all lined up on the top of the quay.  The cloudy skies cleared and the sunset was lovely.

Through the cracks of our wooden blinds this morning, the sun was bright around 6.00am, but by breakfast time it was bucketing.

Our host went sailing, and was caught in a mini tornado, they survived, and later were very thankful for the warmth of home.  Wind, boy is it windy, we finally ventured out and went along to the end of the point.  Well John was the one to walk in the wet and galeforce winds, I read a book in the car, a much more sensible option.

He met up with the coastguard, and it was a 28 knot wind.  Along the coast road we went, hugging the coastal lands.  I guess it is very difficult to get my head around the beach conditions.

You have to pay to park anywhere here, at the beach, at the supermarket, but being Sunday sometimes you can park on the double yellow lines.

All along this part of the coast, which faces due north, the next port of call is the Arctic Circle, so any wonder the winds are strong.  The sun then came out, and it has been rather nice for the rest of the afternoon.

But back to those beaches, it looks like, as in Southern coastlines, that the coast line used to be closer to the land, and that silt has formed, over time, to give green fields between the roads and the beach.  People have to walk a long way to the sands.  Photography is popular, and some people have very large lens on their camera.  Obviously their  photos turn out to be pretty spectacular.

He was taking photos

The way along the coast was filled with people buying their fish and chips and sitting out in the elements, enjoying a day outdoors.  Remind me never to put away the windjacket, when visiting UK!

A duck lake complete with little houses

We continued along to Sheringham for lunch, Sunday roast in the pub.  Everywhere were selling small dishes of crabs, or prawns, and lobster.  Their lobster were more the size of our crays.

Believe me it was gale force at the front.  The Vikings first landed there in 1004 and I bet nothing has changed with the weather since those days.  A lot of very brave men, risk life and limb so that the townfolk can enjoy their seafood.

There were lots of gardens open but with the weather, it would have been rather messy, and I don't have any stout walking shoes.  So a rather easy day.   Perfect to enjoy a good read.

Tomorrow it is onto Cambridge and our last stop.

A short break near the sea - At Wells Next the Sea in Norfolk Saturday 28th June

I am sitting at the desk looking out the window at the tide coming in rather quickly and raising all the boats off the sand, in the harbour.  We are staying the Old Customs House, built in the 1500, much the same sort of house that I envisage my ancestor would have lived.

There is a well in the front yard, in fact several wells along the road, and that is how the town got its name.  Seems strange to have wells next to salt water, but they run into a river.  The town was badly hit with a storm surge in December, with many shops and buildings, including this one being flooded.

But I have a question, with so many Church spires around the country, how were they built 1000 years ago?
A lot are being repaired and the intricate scaffolding for today's practices would be much different than way back then.

Today we traveled to the sea in Norfolk, (without any pine trees), we called into King's Lynn and the visited the Queen's house in Sandringham.  Unfortunately it is not the best weather, and the wind is quite strong, with heavy rain as well.

Buck's day out they all have tags, I guess in case they forget who they are

Customs House

The town of King's Lynn is a port, with access to the North Sea.  It took over from Wells Next to the Sea, some years ago, as the entry port for Norfolk.  There would be some fine tales to be told of the activities in both these places, as smuggling was common!

There is a central square called Tuesday Market Place, and another known as Saturday Market Place.  I love the names given to some places and streets, I remember we drove through Short Lane, which was exactly that, a short lane!

The Corn Market and the Customs House are now used for totally different purposes, including a delicious white chocolate drink!

After King's Lynn we continued through lovely rural areas, as we had done all morning, and then we arrived at Sandringham.  Lots of people, and today was Carriage Racing, but none were out during our time there.
On Monday it is the Sandringham Garden Show, so I guess we also missed seeing one of the Royals. Lucky for us though, cause the Queen must visit during July, and some days it will be closed.

It is quite a walk from the carpark to the gate, and then to the Palace itself.  It wasn't that busy, in terms of how most attractions are, and the grounds were full of walkers, and dogs.

An old tree

The palace was bought by King Edward VII in 1862.  The house was built in the mid 1800's and the deal included 7000 acres of land!  Lucky man, or good foresight for a real estate investment.  The woods and trees are very old, given what we learnt in the Sherwood Forest.

Photographs are not allowed, so I bought a Guide Book which has photos of the inside rooms.  Queen Mary and the late Queen Mother decided to lighten the house up and the walls were painted in a pale green.  It is much better than the solid wood paneling in Hampstead Court, I thought.  The lightness highlights the tapestries on the walls.

The Queen and the family visit  at Christmas time, and the guide mentioned there were 80 bedrooms, for all the staff and guests.  The family eat in the dining room, which is quite lavish, filled with beautiful and probably priceless ornaments and table wear.   But thinking ahead, so as to ensure no breakages from the likes of those great grandchildren, all these items are put away after the house is closed to visitors!

There is an enormous collection of weaponry, ancient and modern guns.  Lots of armour and statues.  I guess it would be a delight for any little boy who delights in those sorts of games as a child!

There is also a huge home theatre room, because the Queen cannot go out to the movies like the rest of us, so they come to her.  It is easy to see why she loves the home.

The museum was the garages, and photographs were allowed.  A fine collection of cars and artifacts are on display, including strange gifts that she has been given from people all over the world.

Gift from Australia in 1954

And back to the entry this is the opposite side of the house, but probably the main driveway

We ate in the cafe, and then drove past some very stately homes, manor houses, and walled estates until we arrived at the beach.  Not quite the same as our beach, but despite the cold wind, people were out enjoying themselves.

Shell walled houses

There is a fantastic children's play area, and people were jiggling for crabs.  The seagulls were well in abundance with a different variety than we have seen before.

Couldn't resist this, almost black petunias

 

The flood level was the highest in 60 years, due to the tidal surge

The granary is now apartments

Not sure about this one, don't think it will fit all our family!

The view when I was lying on the bed waiting for the photos to load!

Off for seafood tonight.  The sun is now shining and the tide is almost at the full tide mark!