Mini Tour of Norfolk

It’s been five months since we were last out in the motorhome. That is not through choice but in early January Margaret had a quadruple heart bypass operation at the John Radcliffe Heart Centre in Oxford. Although the operation went well recovery has been dogged with various issues and it only now that Margaret has felt well enough to try a trip away. I did a bit of research and decided on a mini tour of Norfolk, and Suffolk if you include Thetford Forest!! 

Our initial stop was Incleboro Fields on the North Norfolk coast. It’s been ages since we last visited the site although it appears not to have changed a great deal! The Gorse was in flower and provided a vivid background to the pitching areas. Initially the weather was very kind to us and we even managed to sit outside in what was quite warm temperatures although being near the sea there is always a cool breeze. On our first full day we managed to walk down to the sea at West Runton which is about a mile from the site. As a reward we stopped on the way back at the rather nice coffee shop on the main road in the village. The next day was not as bright so we took the bus into Sheringham, a favourite of ours. The Market was still in full swing when we got there in contrast to most French markets which have usually packed up an gone by the time we usually get there!!! Having been down to the sea front we made our way back through the town with the idea that we might get the train back to West Runton. When we got to the station there was the train waiting for us. Mind you £2.40 each for a five minute trip was a bit much considering we could have used the bus for free!! 

Sunday and time to move on to our next site at Ludham Bridge. No point leaving too early as it was only a 27 mile journey. We did stop en route at the Waitrose in North Walsham for a few supplies. I wasn’t brave enough to venture into the busy car park but there was a convenient lay-by opposite. We got a cheery reception at the Norfolk Broads site and were soon set up, so easy with a motorhome. Having had lunch we wandered down to Ludham Bridge which is a short walk from the site. It is situated on the River Ant which is part of the river network that connects the Broads. The following day we caught the bus from near the site entrance to Wroxham which has long been the centre of the Norfolk Broads boat hire business. The River Bure was quite busy with boats. I was surprise to discover that some of the larger hire boats require a pilot to navigate through Wroxham Bridge. No visit to Wroxham should go by without a look at Roys of Wroxham which claims to be the largest village store in the world!! It is certainly a tradition that I remember from when I first visited the Norfolk Broads some fifty years ago. 

Our final stop of the trip was the Thetford Forest site which is almost in the middle of nowhere. We were only there for two days so it was not a problem for us. On the main A1065 where you turn into the site there is a memorial to the Desert Rats who used this area of Thetford Forest as a training ground in readiness for D-Day. There is a forest trail you can follow from the site that gives details of what it was like to be stationed there during WW2. 

We survived the trip although Margaret did struggle a little simply because of the different movements in a motorhome compared to home. We are already planning our next trip although I think for the immediate future they will be in the UK rather than abroad.