Sheringham, Norfolk 4-10 Aug 26

 

Happy memories - a Saracen APC

At a loose end with an unfilled week, a decent weather forecast and a temporary holiday site near the sea  meant a few days away staying with the Norfolk and Suffolk DA at Sheringham High School. We set out in good time on Tuesday, but had forgotten what a complete Horlicks Norfolk council have made of the road system around Kings Lynn. We got stuck in traffic once again, but we did achieve 40mpg in the van, probably because we hardly got above 40mph for the whole journey. After a stressful journey, we quickly erected the not-so-damned awning, had a cuppa and a bit of lunch and wandered the mile or so into Sheringham for a mooch about and a couple of pints of delicious cider in the excellent Lines End bar.

We knew Sheringham would be busy. It was August, the weather good, school holidays and Carnival week. On Wednesday we wandered into town again looking for some lunch. As we left the high street the heaven's opened. The first rain in months! It chucked it down and everybody scattered into the bars and cafes, so lunch was out. The rain soon stopped so we retired to the Lines End to recover after watching a wrestling bout in the town centre. This reminded us of the awful fixed fights on the telly in  the 70s and surely something that should have died a death a long time ago, but apparently not in Norfolk.

On Thursday we took the bus to the excellent Muckleburgh collection where one of us spent a wonderful few hours admiring tanks and armoured cars whilst the other tried not to look bored. We enjoyed an excellent crab baguette in the cafe, but were irritated by the group of feral kids who were ruining the experience for a lot of people. If only some of those tanks were ready to drive...... Anyway, back into town, dinner at the excellent Dave's Fish and Chips and a pleasant hour or so watching the Sheringham Shantymen perform on the lifeboat plain.

On Friday we did bugger all. We sat around, tried to do a bit of planning, posted a birthday card and did not much else.

The following day we needed to reprovision, so it was off to town to the butchers, bakers and, unfortunately, Tescos for supplies. We also, funnily enough, had a couple of pints in the Lines End.

We were meant to leave on Sunday morning, but the weather was good and it was slightly cooler on the coast so we stayed for another night. We wandered up to the lookout for some wonderful views before heading back to the bar for a quick one. Back at base we decided to pack up the awning to save a bit of time in the morning. As we lifted the groundsheet we found thousands of earwigs and assorted bugs. Norfolk obviously has a lot of insects.

On Monday it was up, packed and heading for home, once again getting stuck in the awful traffic around Kings Lynn. It was a very good decision to pack up the awning the night before as there was a few drops of rain in the morning.

Cambridge 24-27 Jul 26

Green Street Cambridge

Cambridge? Why not? A special offer from the Camping and Caravanning Club, a need to do a bit of shopping, a meet up for pre-season training with the Cambridge Rugby crew and a chance to get away from the neighbours. It wasn't a hard decision, even if the campsite is only 22 miles down the road. Accordingly, we set out at midday-ish to arrive at 1300hrs, knowing that the C&CC will not let anybody in even a few minutes early. We arrived 10 minutes early and queued behind a dutchman in his Hymer until spot on the magic hour. We quickly parked up, erected the damned awning in record time (it may well be promoted from "damned awning" to just "awning" now) using our bargain new Vango electric pump. As soon as we were set up we were off to catch the number 7 bus into Cambridge. As ever with Stagecoach, it was late, unbearably hot and very uncomfortable but we arrived in reasonable time and did out tasks. We needed a bit of refreshment so we dropped into the lovely and cool Town and Gown and enjoyed a very cold Pravha. We needed to go shopping to get a few bits for that evening's meal. There followed some debate on whether or not to stay and eat in the lovely cool pub and we were sorely tempted, but common sense prevailed and we popped into M&S then caught the bus back.

On Saturday we were meeting Laura and Steve and, as ever with those two, they wanted to meet at the crack of dawn. Back on the overheated bus and breakfast in the Cafe 24, a lovely, tiny little cafe. It was, as usual, a great breakfast but the booming, gob-almighty, listen-to-me, gobshite who never shut up drowned out most conversation. Anyway, from there we headed to the Town and Gown, but they said that they were closed for a private function, so we went to the Mitre for a couple of drinks, followed by Byron's Bear, Lunch and more beer in the Fort St George and, finally, a last pint in the Grain and Hop store as the Prince Regent was rammed. By now it was early evening and Cambridge was getting a bit lairy, so we headed for home and an early night after the excesses of the day. It was a great day though.

Laura and Steve in the Fort St George

The lights we won at Norwich put to good use

Sunday was a write off. We weren't, surprisingly, hungover, but felt a bit jaded, so we just lazed around all day. It was great.

On Monday it was up and home in no time.

We prefer the C&CC site in Cambridge as it is more open and airy. The CAMC has much better bus services though, and is open all year. It is, however, more expensive and a bit dark and dingy. 

Jambalaya (ish)

Norfolk Motorhome Show, Norwich 16-20 Jul 26

We've been to this show before. The first time was in 2015 and we said we wouldn't go again as it was pretty miserable. The second time, in 2019, we said it was OK (mainly because we were with Motorhome Fun (MHF) and we spent the weekend chatting). In 2026, at the last minute, we decided we had nothing to do at the weekend and we would book again, albeit we were too late to get in with the MHF group. We did, however, manage to get a booking in the Out and About Live area, so on Thursday we drove to Norwich, parking up in the early afternoon in glorious sunshine and even the damned awning managed to be erected with the minimum of drama. On Thursday evening we had welcome drinks with the OAL group, followed by a very hard quiz - which we won! Later we wandered across to the massive event hall to listen to some fairly good acts and drink lots of beer.

On Friday the show opened. In glorious sunshine we had a good wander about, bought a new table (we've had the current table for over 15 years), bought an air pump for the damned awning and a few other bits and bobs. We wandered over to the excellent Norfolk Farm Shop, which has a remarkable selection of local produce, so we decided to enjoy a local slice of St Clement's Cake, which was delicious.  From there we went back to the OAL area and listened to an excellent musician (Stephen Tanner) before heading over to the big  event hall to listen to a Texas tribute band.

On Saturday we decided to catch the bus into Norwich. Usually, at these events, Warners lay on a shuttle bus, but as there is a local bus service readily available they didn't. The local bus was packed. Despite the horrendous roadworks all around Norwich, we made good time and had a good wander around this pleasant city before enjoying a massive lunch in Zizzi's. From there we wandered into the very expensive Bear shop and chatted with  the charming owner, who explained that bears are "collectables" and command some very high prices. He didn't seem overly impressed with Jonny Bear though. After heading back to the showground we felt obliged to take part in the Bingo, an activity that never fills me with joy. That said, we won again! From there it was over to the Big Top to listen to a very good singer who had the tent rocking.

On Sunday it was up early and a cookery demonstration by Vanlife Eats. Who knew you could make puff pastry Italian sausage rolls in a ridge monkey. We bought a ridge monkey. Another cookery demo in the afternoon, plus a go at making paracord bracelets, then a Thai takeaway, then an excellent Madness tribute band made for yet another full day.

On Monday we reluctantly packed up and headed for home. It was a great weekend, although we probably spent too much