Stoke Ferry Norfolk 10-13 May 13

The plan was to meet up with Martin and his narrowboat on a site that is adjacent to a navigable waterway and fairly close to friends in Downham Market to enable a visit. After much research we came across Grange Farm Touring Park, and it was there we set up for the weekend after a very turbulent and bumpy journey across the Fens on a Friday evening. I learnt to drive in London, so little on the road worries me too much, but Fen drivers....well, words fail me.

We arrived at about 1930hrs to find Martin lurking by the gate waiting for somebody to provide him with food. Accordingly, we rustled up fish and chips, only to find the gas bottle ran out half way through and we didn't notice that the oven had gone off as we were too busy drinking wine! Anyway - after a delayed meal and lots of booze Martin staggered back to his boat and we staggered off to bed.

The Priest's Hole at Oxburgh Hall

On Saturday morning, our tame boat owner once again appeared looking for food, so we fed him bacon rolls (or "bread buns" as he describes them) and we headed off to the local National Trust house, Oxburgh Hall, where we spent a delightful few hours exploring this lovely proprty. We then trundled off along the A10 to another delightful property - Beers of Europe, the largest beer shop in the UK! To appease the memsahib, we then had a pootle around a very nice furniture shop before retiring back to the site for dinner on the boat (which, somehow, I managed to end up supplying and cooking (and trying to carve a joint with a knife that is as blunt as a rolling pin is no easy matter)).

The following day we again fed the mumping water gypsy, before setting off on his boat for a cruise to the pub to meet up with the Taylors. After a very pleasant cruise along the river Wissey, we arrived at Hilgay only to be told that the local pub was pants and the Taylors would take us to a much nicer pub in Denver. Accordingly we squeezed into their car and had a superb Sunday carvery with lots of food and great company. We parted at Hilgay and set off for the 2 hour cruise back to the campsite (it is only 7 miles by road), just as the rain started to come down. We arrived back at the site, moored up and repaired to the bus for cheese and biscuits and more wine.

On Monday we were up early, told the scrounging git to get his own breakfast and we headed for home.

As for the site - it was great for what we wanted. Very friendly owners, very clean facilities and a very good location. There is a bit of road noise, but that is a minor issue.