Swans Oulton Broad 18.6.19
Time to visit a part of the country we have not previously visited – Cambridge and the Norfolk Broads. We have had a couple of trips to the North Norfolk coast but not Broads. The holiday was split into two stays.
We head to Cambridge to spend a few nights over a weekend so that we can see the City and some of the colleges, at least externally, plus ensuring a long standing Good Food Guide entry – Midsummer House – can be sampled.
Midsummer House is adjacent to the river and easy walking distance from where we stay. So some alcohol can be consumed and the food was enjoyable. it is worthy of its place in the guide and we are well looked after during the evening.
We are within walking distance of the City Centre and we wander around – luckily the sun is with us. On the Sunday our walk back from lunch is enlivened by the unexpected – post exam Cambridge students taking to the Cam in cardboard boats which tend not to ensure terribly long in the water before those on board end up in the drink. Which probably entitles them to another drink. However this regular post exam activity seems to have ended in 2023 when the organisers were unable to obtain insurance, which I suspect is understandable.
Our destination for Monday to Friday is on the Norfolk Broads at Breydon Park near Burgh Castle from where various aspects of the Broads can be reached during the week.
Our first outing starts near Lowestoft where we board a vessel to cruise along the Oulton Broad for a couple of hours. Luckily we are at a little bit of height above water level so can see some of the countryside – at water level we would not get much of a view at all. The Broads came into existence due to human activity – removal of peat lead to flooding and creation of the waterways.
Blickling Hall 2-6-2 19.6.19Another day out combined railway and broads – the Bure Valley Railway links with a local boat operator so you can the train from Aylsham to Wroxham, wander through the town then board a boat for a cruise along the River Bure and Wroxham Broad. Then a fish and chip lunch and a return journey along the same way. The Bure Valley Railway is a 15″ gauge railways which runs for nine miles between the two termini. Originally it owned only a diesel so borrowed locomotives from the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch in its early years. That has been rectified and we travel behind No 6 “Blickling Hall”. The line is laid on the bed formerly used by a standard gauge railway between County School and Wroxham which remains rail connected to Norwich. The owning company is owned by Andrew Barnes who runs the railway with the support of many volunteers whilst the trackbed remains in the ownership by Broadland District Council.
Reedham Ferry is not far from the caravan park and there is a pub there, so an excursion of its own was to head to the pub and then take the ferry. The weather is not very nice – it either was or had been raining – but the ferry operative got down on the ground to ensure the TT did not ground as we came off the ferry – which was welcome.
Norwich market is award winning so required a visit as an adjunct to our need for a decent meal provided by Benedicts which we visit. We always try to ensure we visit a recommended establishment or two on these UK holidays and they were both were excellent.
On the homeward journey the A11 to M3 via either north or south round the M25 is roughly the same distance. The overhead gantries indicate the allegedly best route and I have a feeling this time we went round the north and encountered significant delays. And I always kick myself that the other way might not be as slow as the overhead signs indicate!