A Norfolk walk

Mrs One was going to take some of her cub group on a walk to get a new badge which including walking a mile and using 2 forms of public transport.  Being a clever sort of lady she picked she picked on a walk at the pretty riverside village of Reedham.  Here plan was to get a train from Yarmouth to Reedham then walk to the river to look at the train swing bridge then walk down the riverside path to the little chain ferry, cross there and then return by much the same route. This walk is part of the Wherryman’s Way, the route takes its name from the wherry – a large cargo-carrying barge whose elegant black sails were a once common sight on these waters.

We decided to do a recce of the route on Friday to ensure that it was a suitable walk for age group.  We drove to the East side of the River Yare and parked by the ferry.  Crossed the small chain ferry, which can take foot passengers, cyclists and up to 2 or 3 cars.  On the West side of the river is the Ferry Boat inn which if used then refunds the fare for foot passengers.  Beside the pub there is also a small touring caravan site.  We walked the well-defined and kept footpath to Reedham.  Views across the water meadows are lovely, even including the site of the Cantley Sugar factory now fired up again for the new season of sugar beet harvesting which will continue until Easter.  Other points of interest are the river traffic, the view of Reedham with it old tripod crane on the quay side.  Plenty of wild life to observe as well.  After walking to the station we then walked back to the river stopping to buy lovely fish and chips to eat Al Fresco whilst watch trains cross the bridge and the antics of hire boat crews.  Finally we walked back to the ferry.  This is a lovely walk, because of the route we took it was about 3 miles, obviously this will be shortened for the cubs.  I guess the brilliant warm (19C) sunny day made all the difference.  Anyone in our neck of the woods who fancies walking the Wherrymans way or parts thereof the website address is http://www.wherrymansway.net/

As a postscript we have decided to do the complete walk early next year using the Reedham site to park the caravan and use the train to go or return start/finish points.  Taking it easy we should complete in 3 days.