So, in order to avoid Norwich traffic we decided ... to cycle there! OK, that's actually a little fib, we drove most of the way with the bikes in the back of the car and then within striking distance put the front wheels back on and cruised at a leisurely pace into the city centre. But what a beautiful cruise it was! Tree lined former railway line I guess - so 60 years after he destroyed the local railway network to the advantage of the car industry that (allegedly) lobbied him hard, Beeching at least has some bloody useful legacy! (Got my rant in early today).
Neither of us has really been to Norwich before so we enjoyed a day wandering the old streets, in and out of the beautiful cathedral, last resting place of Edith Cavell, a meander through one of England's great city markets (though somewhat depleted at the moment due to Covid), and lunch in a garden of a bar somewhere unmemorable but delicious all the same. Advice from our mate Peter, on the merits of various eating establishments in Norwich was studiously ignored! Not really Pete, its just that Al Dente had no decent outdoor space and it was a lovely day! Oh, and we didn't fancy a curry and 4 pints of ale for lunch!
Somehow the cycle back took great toll on the "sitting bones" and it was two tired people who returned to Blakeney in the early evening, apparently after about 25km of cycling and over 10km of walking! We slept well! But not before a short stroll to the harbour to try to capture a lovely sunset.
Perhaps foolishly we had opted for an early boat to see the seals at Blakeney Point this morning, and the half seven alarm was greeted with considerable groaning from one of us. I'll let you guess which one. To be fair, timings are of course dependent on the tide and the 8.45am was actually the last one of the morning. And boats are booked up right through the week - people really are making the most of the weather and holidaying locally.
Up close and personal with a seal.
El banditos on the boat!
So, back on land by 10.30am, coffee consumed and, with the rest of the day to enjoy, we walked into Cromer from East Runton, half an hour along the coast. Another packed coastal resort, with locals and visitors alike out enjoying the sun, sand and socially distanced grub. Marvellous!
We called in to cafe owned by a friend of a friend - sorry Ruth, we couldn't say hello; she wasn't working today!
So as the mercury continues to rise, we are enjoying a lazy afternoon in the garden of our cottage and down by the harbour, wandering the quaint streets of Blakeney and buying local produce at eye-watering prices - nearly ten quid for a jar of honey!!
We learnt the lesson a couple of weeks ago in Rye, that restaurants in places like this are booking up well in advance - partly due to restricted capacity, and partly people's desperation to eat out we think. So we have booked up a few places this week, but could only manage to get into two places in the village. So tonight we cycle to the next village of Wiveton to a Michelin gastropub. We could drive but where would be the fun in that! So our bike lights are charged, we are fully rested - and getting very hungry. What could possibly go wrong...!
Oh, and I nearly forgot ... for my geographically challenged Aussie mates ;-) x
