Kelling Heath Holiday Park, Weybourne in North Norfolk was the next destination and a fairly late start on Friday evening saw the GPS divert us across the Fen roads to avoid the traffic. The Fens - what can I say. Bumpy roads gave us half an hour of severe turbulence travelling along the raised "roads" alongside steep banks and Dykes that are too close for comfort. This, coupled with the notoriously bad Fen drivers, made for an interesting journey, but eventually we passed Downham Market and RAF Marham and arrived into more picturesque scenery around Sandringham just as it was getting dark.
Kelling Heath has a blackout policy to maintain dark skies, so finding the pitch marker was no easy task, solved by Debs standing on the marker and me aiming for her to marshal in. We soon set up and opened a nice cold beer and a curry.
On Saturday I awoke early and went for a walk to suss out the lie of the land. The North Norfolk Railway (The Poppy Line) runs alongside the heath and this weekend they were having a steam gala, so locomotives were being fired up ready for the event. I also read a board stating that Kelling Heath was adder territory, so I continued my walk across the heather goose-stepping like a demented stormtrooper to frighten the snakes away. A tip I learnt from a dear friend: always avoid wild women, snakes and alligators. Just the 'gator to avoid on this trip then ;O)
Eventually, Debbie emerged and we breakfasted on pancakes cooked on the new Cadac grill (yum yum) before heading off for a short bimble towards Sheringham. This 11.5 mile trek took us to Weybourne Station to watch the trains then cross country through the stunning National Trust's Sheringham Park and finally into Sheringham where we stopped for fish and chips in the pub (the plans was to sit on the sea front and eat, but it is not particularly attractive). We had a quick pootle around the shops, bought an ice cream and decided to walk back along the coast path, but some pillock had decided to plant a golf course in the way, so rather than risk trudging along the main road, we headed back inland, finally stopping for a very welcome cup of tea and a slice o' cake in Weybourne station.
Back on site, we stood for a while with the train spotters on Kelling Heath platform. We had to leave fairly quickly as the conversation was a bit ...erm...dull to say the least. Oh well, each to their own.
Saturday night we enjoyed a light snack, then headed off to the bar for a couple of pints and listen to the Jazz band.
Sunday was a bright and warm day. Out came the grill and bacon rolls were noshed, followed by a 7 mile cycle ride into Holt through the Forestry Commission Hundred Acre Wood. Holt is a very pleasant Georgian Town well worth the hour or so bimbling around. We'll have to come back when it is open! Arriving back on site, with Debs once again moaning about cycling and sore derrieres, we sat out in the warm sun and read the Sunday papers. It's strange but every time one of us commented on how peaceful it was, a steam train would let off its whistle. Spooky.
At 3 o'clock slightly red faced from a combination of exercise and sitting in the sun, we retired to the bar to watch England beat France. Debs got over excited again, especially as one of our favourite referees managed the game. Allain Rolland - what a complete and utter useless numpty you are!
Returning to the bus, slightly the worse for wear, we enjoyed grilled bratwurst and salad as the sun set over the trees and the steam trains chuff-chuffed in the distance. A wonderful day.Monday, up early in the morning mist and the trundle home to clean up ready for the next trip.
81 miles each way and the bus computer read 35mpg average, which is not too bad for a big white box that is as aerodynamic as a brick
Kelling Heath? Great site with loads to do around the area. I would love to visit the Muckleborough collection and walk/cycle into Cley and Blakeney. That's for next time though.
