Norfolk Broads

 September 18-21

Wednesday 18th

We rented a cottage on the edge of South Walsham and found that there were lots of good walks and good pubs hereabouts. Driving around was often circuitous, sometimes having to drive ten miles while the destination was only a mile away. That’s the consequence of all these rivers and pools caused by drainage and by peat diggings.

We drove to the area, east of Norwich, and had lunch at The Nelson Head, a welcoming unpretentious pub with ancient firearms on display. 

The church nearby has an intriguing tower, Saxon in origin.

In the afternoon we took a gentle walk including Horsey Church and Horsey Mill, which is a very scenic restored mill, 

and along the fields parallel to the river with its flotillas of motor boats.here any walk will pass old mill towers in various stages of decay but still standing prominently against the long horizons.

Thursday 19th

We parked at Ludham Bridge for a 7 mile circular walk which took in several old mills and the ruined abbey of st Benet, unusual in that part of its gatehouse had been incorporated into a later wind mill. The abbey itself, now a few ruins, survived Henry’s demolition of the monasteries and is still overseen by the Bishop of Norwich.

 Lunch was at the Kings Arms where the OAP meals were excellent value. St Catherine’s church is very fine, light and airy with some interesting black marble grave stones in the nave.

This was a pleasant walk though rather frustrating in that we walked parallel to the river but were blocked from seeing it by thickets of high reeds. All we saw was the roofs of motor boats and the occasional mast.

In the evening we ate very well at The Hermitage which featured some excellent ales and good pub food.

Friday 20th

A handy walk which started directly from our cottage in south Walsham. 

It followed the river Bure for a while, clockwise, passed St Benets Abbey on the opposite bank of the river to yesterday’s walk then on through the reeds to a point where we were for a while barred by some rather threatening cattle. With Brave Sir John shouting “shoo” at them they fled and we continued on our way via more reed beds ...

to yet another mill ...

and at last to the White Horse at Upton for beer and a sandwich.

Finally we completed the circuit to our cottage for tea and shortbread. Intentions to scout around some nearby churches faded as we put our feet up. And in the evening we ate at The Cock Tavern at Cantley. Very busy!

Saturday 21st

A short walk as we head towards home. Parking at the Lion Inn at Thurne, where there is a pleasant marina, a handy shop and a CL camping spot in the nearby farm yard, we walked along the Weaver's Way, clockwise following the river Thurne then taking off at Repps on the Staithe Road before returning across fields to Thurne. 

This was a pleasant walk in good weather, some 4 miles or so with a variety of paths. And lovely sunny weather.

Lunch at The Lion, where we were well fed before setting off for home. A very fine gentlemen's expedition!