Off on holiday again!

 It seems like ages since I went on holiday. On my last short break in June I walked too far and caused problems with my hips/legs so I though it best to take things easy for a while. Then it's either been too hot or too wet, or we've been too busy, or couldn't decide where to go.

But here we are at last, crossing the river Nene at Sutton Bridge, heading off to Norfolk for a few days.  Technically Sutton is in Lincolnshire (the country line is a few more miles east) but there's something symbolic about crossing a river, and to me this is the gateway to Norfolk. 

As we were heading east, we'd already stopped off at Belton  House for lunch, and were hoping to reach Castle Rising before it shut - unfortunately a closing time of 6 actually meant no admissions after 5, and at 5.05 we weren't allowed in. As we weren't staying in the area we couldn't visit another day, but maybe some other time ...

Our base for the next couple of nights was a lovely AirBnB on the outskirts of Aylsham, with a small patio overlooking the owners' garden and the Weavers Way running past the door. 

With only two nights there, we chose to spend the morning following a short circular walk along quiet lanes leading past the river Bure and into the nearby countryside, then have lunch in the garden before heading further afield..

That afternoon took us to Felbrigg Hall walled garden, then on to Overstrand with its cheerful beach huts.

 

The next day we wandered home along the north Norfolk coast under glorious blue skies stopping at Cley next the Sea, Blakeney, and Wells next the Sea.

Norfolk is always lovely but a clear day makes it something special.

More photos etc to follow ... 

Belton 

Short walk near Aylsham 

Felbrigg Walled Garden

Overstrand

Cley-next-the-Sea

Blakeney

Wells-next-the-Sea

Two Days in Norfolk - Day 2, morning

After a busy first day we spent the night at a B+B in the village of Hindolveston, near Holt so started Day 2 with a visit to this delightful market town.

It's a place of quaint side streets and fascinating shops where I could have spent the whole day  - and a considerable amount of cash!

 Then off again to the coast at Blakeney.

We hadn't gone equipped for walking  - and the wind blowing off the North Sea was freezing- so contented ourselves with admiring the view form the harbour....

 ....then wandering through the village's picturesque streets

 along the aptly named Little Lane

with occasional glimpses of the coastal marches and distant sea