May Bank Holiday Ride

It had been a typical bank holiday weekend with heavy rain most of Sunday. Rather than ride in the rain we went to Norwich for some retail therapy.
Monday's weather was the complete opposite, being bright and sunny with a moderate breeze. We had a shortish ride of 28 miles , stopping off at Holkham where the Cycling festival was coming to a close.
We heard the announcement that the fastest time for covering the 250 miles over 3 days was 13 hours. (100+100+50).
Our route was a bit random : Warham , Wighton, Walsingham , Egmere, Sth Creaks, Nth Creaks, Holkam, Wells, Stiffkey, Cockthorpe, Langham & Binham. Average speed 11.5 mph.

Wighton Scarecrows, Jane taking part.

Through the Ford at Willingham.

A Big , not so blue, Sky looking towards the Sea.
 

One of the gate houses on the way into Holkham Hall.

Pedal Norfolk event at Holkham. Duck pancake rolls for lunch.

What is it they say about Dogs and Owners?

Selfie in one of then mini sheds at Stiffed stores.

 

Sunday Ride to Fellbrigg Hall

Fairly cool and cloudy as we set off with loaded pannier on our Bikes to go to Fellbrigg Hall. We had decided to try the bikes with loaded panniers as a bit of practice for the ride to Paris. Both our bikes are new since our last loaded tour so worth testing in advance.

The route we took was the reverse of one we would normally do so it did appear a bit different as we headed to Cockthorpe from Binham. The routing and the fact that the plants and trees are growing made it fell different. Onto Langham , past the Blue Bell and then onto Glandford, past the Highland Cows in the scrubby field and the Dorkies in their paddock. ( they were all in the same places on our return!)

We stopped at the Church in Glandford to check out the plants for sale, seeing a rather nice Shuttle Cock Fern I put it under the display table , hoping it would be there later.

After crossing the river we headed up the hill and onto Leteringsett and onto Holt. Holt was reasonably quiet apart from the queue at the cash point. We rode past Greshams School, pat the station and took the quiet roads to the Village of Gresham.

 

Then onto the little village of Susted.

 

Those , evidently are Dolphins on the sign...... for some reason!

 It was then a short ride to Fellbrigg Hall where we stopped and had our lunch. Made our Tea and ate the really nice Flan Jane had made. Bought a packet of crisps from the shop so we didn't feel totally guilty sitting there in the sunshine on the bench!

 Fellbrigg Hall with the Orangery to the left.

Camping outside the Courtyard!

Having fuelled up we headed back more or less the way we had come as far as Holt and then went in the direction of Cley before taking the Wiveton road where I managed to get up to 33 mph .

Took the back road past the smelly Sewage Works to Glandford , shopping to buy the Fern at the Church , further adding to our load - or rather Jane's!

 

 Came back via Wiveton Downs and then Langham , Cockthorpe and back to Binham having covered 41 miles. Our average cycling speed was our normal 10 mph , and both of us felt fine with the loaded pannier........ so we are good to go at the end of May. 

 

Sunday Ride 19th April

We had done a short Wells for Tea & Shopping on Saturday & which was 13 miles.
Today's destination was Aylsham

Stopped off to get some sweets at the Village shop. Out of date Fruit Gums a bargin at 25p a pack !
Our route took us to Field Dalling , then onto Sharrington and the gentle rolling hills around Stody.
Noticed that Clint Judd's Scallions and Shallots were growing well on the Stody Estate!
We took the road from Stody to Blickling , shopping to look at The Tower just before we got to the Hall. Then we headed into Aylsham to pick up the Marriott's Way. Part way along it a Man with a Dog stood to one side while we passed. It looked like an old Colleague of mine : Tim Briggs and it was , we turned around and went back for a chat.
As we got to Reepham we had a bit of a moment the Café that we thought we were going to was not the one we ended up at! Anyway , the Café was very good and the Scones huge!
Time was getting on as we set off again , after a short distance on the Way we joined the road and followed Cycle Route 1 to Guestwick , then Hindolveston , Fulmodston, Barney , Thursford , Hindringham and back to Binham...... 40 miles and a great ride , weather had been a mix of cloud and sun with a light wind.  

Binham Village Sign - shame about the Bin!

The world famous Howells Superstore

The Tower , just before Blicking Hall
 

Blocking Hall - a fine building. Car Park was full so we kept going!

History Sign in the centre of Aylsham.

Tea and Scone stop at The Café just outside Reepham on Marriott Way