Way out West

Back to Norfolk, but not quite home. A holiday cottage in the west of the county was our base for the week and we were joined by family to help us explore. 

Our adventures included places I remember visiting as a child with grandparents and coastal walks I have completed before with dad or with friends. 

A trip to Walsingham to see the carpet of snowdrops was a highlight, as well as visits to the RSPB site at Titchwell and Sculthorpe Moor. Hundreds of geese flew over us with their unmistakeable noise, which was quite a sight! Lunchtime picnics under blue skies and no body dashing off to work or school made for a perfect half-term. 

Poppy is staying in Norfolk a bit longer whilst I rekindle my love for public transport and take trains, tubes and planes to Jordan. I have always wanted to visit Petra after seeing it in the Indiana Jones film, so off I go with my sleeping bag and hiking boots ready for Wādī Rum, camping in the desert and no poo bags or dog lead! Pictures to follow…

Close to Home

Suffolk; on my doorstep and yet somewhere I haven’t spent much time. On lots of occasions when chatting with fellow campers or travellers, people often tell me they haven’t explored their home area. So, we headed to just outside Sudbury for a few days to enjoy walks across the fields, under big skies. We hardly (unbelievably) saw a soul. We had the countryside to ourselves!

A visit to Lavenham and a walk along the disused railway line to Long Melford was a great day. For Harry Potter fans, Lavenham was used as the inspiration for Godric’s Hollow and is full of timber framed houses. We also called into Ickworth, again with footpaths and cycle trails off in all directions - take your pick!

Now seven months since we left the comforts of home, Roo (our van) continues to serve us well and Poppy (I think) continues to live her best life - walk, eat, sleep, repeat. Not a bad way for a human to spend her days either!

Tears and Smiles

If you love motorsport or have an interest in historic cars or bikes, then the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is a must visit place. From classic British cars, historic formula 1 cars, record breaking builds, on screen vehicles and a huge section of motorcycles. I spent over three hours in the museum alone & the ticket also includes admission to Palace House, the Abbey ruins, gardens and grounds too. You learn about the history of Beaulieu and the Montagu family and how the museum was first founded. 

Although I had the best time, I also found myself with tears rolling down my cheeks as I know how much my dad would have LOVED to visit this place. A friend told me that grief would raise it’s head at the most unexpected times, and this was one of them for me. I just wished he could have been there next to me. I know he would probably have told me more about each car, bike and engine than the museum had written on each of the plaques! This made me smile.

Onto a happier note and signs of Spring have been in abundance when we visited Winkworth Arboretum, Chartwell (former residence of Winston Churchill) and Frensham; an area of outstandingly beautiful heathland and woodland. A carpet of snowdrops, the bright yellow of daffodils and the splash of purple from the first crocus can’t help but make you stop and look. 

Our journey is taking us back through Surrey, Sussex and Kent as we head towards home once more. We are stopping along the way to explore the hills, countryside, forests and footpaths and are always grateful when the sunshine appears. Spring is coming!

Isle of Wight

St Catherine’s Lighthouse

I can’t believe we’re catching the ferry back already. What a great week we’ve had exploring the Isle of Wight, its coastline, the downs and catching up with a lovely ex-colleague and friend who has made the island her home. 

I used the National Trust website to find various circular walks and nearly everyday we had a blue sky to walk under - so lucky! Also saw lots of signs that Spring is just around the corner with daffodil shoots, blossom appearing on the trees and lengthening daylight hours. Hooray! 

The Isle of Wight is so accessible, lots of camping options (especially during summer) and so many walking paths and cycle routes to explore. I’d love to return! 

St Helens

Afton Down/Compton Down

Freshwater Bay

Mural, East Cowes

Coastal path, above Compton Bay

Life’s a beach!

Newtown Estuary

Parking spot to ourselves for lunch!

Rainbow from cliff top, Shanklin

The Needles

Our last sunrise this morning

Walk up to Hoy Monument