A weekend in Cromer is as good a way as I can think of to dust off the cobwebs and improve one's outlook on life.
Today we did a long circular walk from the town centre, out to Felbrigg Hall and back the long way. It was down as 6.5 miles but it felt much longer. Add on a mile to our apartment and it was probably the best part of an eight mile walk.
Weather-wise it was a very strange day. Sunshine one moment, cloud and a cold wind the next. A few spots of rain chucked in for good measure.
The outward walk took us past Cromer Hall. "Did you ever visit the hall when you worked here," asked my dear wife. "Never knew it existed," I replied. And that set me thinking. I loved my time working in Cromer in the 1970s but cannot remember being very interested in the place's heritage or history. I suppose an interest in history comes with age, although I do have an 'A level in the subject.
Now I am fascinated with virtually every aspect of the town's past. The same happened to me a few years ago when I re-visited Belper in Derbyshire, many years after I spent a year working there. On my return I became hugely interested in its history and heritage, having given this scant regard in the past.
Once past Cromer Hall we worked our way through a field - populated with a few inquisitive looking cows and through Felbrigg village and onto Felbrigg Hall where they had a plant sale. So there were plenty of people around. The queue for refreshments was long but an arrow pointed us towards a tea stall in a meadow. After standing in the queue for the best part of 15 minutes without moving forward I gave up. Let's be charitable and just say the young man serving wasn't grease lightning.
After a quick waltz around the walled garden we continued our circular walk and the second half turned out really to be the second two-thirds. We were following a route from the Bittern Line web site and soon found out that they had made changes to the "way out" sign at Felbrigg. It now takes you back the same way, whereas in the past it directed cars and walkers through the estate.
So we took the path of the past and soon got back on track. An interesting walk past uninhabited camp sites and eventually back to Cromer and a much needed shower. A quick visit to friends at Beeston Regis Caravan Park and then an evening meal at Craft Burger where we went because the Red Lion was overfull.
Today we did a long circular walk from the town centre, out to Felbrigg Hall and back the long way. It was down as 6.5 miles but it felt much longer. Add on a mile to our apartment and it was probably the best part of an eight mile walk.
Weather-wise it was a very strange day. Sunshine one moment, cloud and a cold wind the next. A few spots of rain chucked in for good measure.
The outward walk took us past Cromer Hall. "Did you ever visit the hall when you worked here," asked my dear wife. "Never knew it existed," I replied. And that set me thinking. I loved my time working in Cromer in the 1970s but cannot remember being very interested in the place's heritage or history. I suppose an interest in history comes with age, although I do have an 'A level in the subject.
Now I am fascinated with virtually every aspect of the town's past. The same happened to me a few years ago when I re-visited Belper in Derbyshire, many years after I spent a year working there. On my return I became hugely interested in its history and heritage, having given this scant regard in the past.
Once past Cromer Hall we worked our way through a field - populated with a few inquisitive looking cows and through Felbrigg village and onto Felbrigg Hall where they had a plant sale. So there were plenty of people around. The queue for refreshments was long but an arrow pointed us towards a tea stall in a meadow. After standing in the queue for the best part of 15 minutes without moving forward I gave up. Let's be charitable and just say the young man serving wasn't grease lightning.
After a quick waltz around the walled garden we continued our circular walk and the second half turned out really to be the second two-thirds. We were following a route from the Bittern Line web site and soon found out that they had made changes to the "way out" sign at Felbrigg. It now takes you back the same way, whereas in the past it directed cars and walkers through the estate.
So we took the path of the past and soon got back on track. An interesting walk past uninhabited camp sites and eventually back to Cromer and a much needed shower. A quick visit to friends at Beeston Regis Caravan Park and then an evening meal at Craft Burger where we went because the Red Lion was overfull.