With a strong easterly wind and rain greeting Wheelers as they awoke, it was a surprise to find that five had ventured out to PC. The rain as forecast had stopped by 10am and we didn’t see any all day, the easterly wind helped us as we headed SW down to Hoe and had eased on the return leg and the sun came out! As we returned to PC we were treated to the sight of the sun setting, squashed between clouds and the moon rising in a clear sky.
Harvey’s route was a fairly direct run through Briston, Foulsham and south of Bintree we met Harvey heading north. So after a quick chat we left Harvey and continued to Billingford, Worthing, Hoe, all ready for a good feed at the Fork.
Alas, the Fork and Corners garden centre has permanently closed, the lease has expired. Who knows what it will become next, probably housing.
So, we decided to re-route to Darbys at Swanton Morley which was just off the planed route and re-join the route further on. Swanton Morley seemed to have grown in size as we approached from the south west, which caused some confusion as to where the pub was, Brian was keen to get into the first pub he saw, but we pressed on downhill and found Darbys.
They had a big party coming in for lunch and were keen for us to order quickly to free the kitchen up, which we were happy to do and then we could enjoy the warmth of the woodburner and general ambience.
We all enjoyed our different meals, though Andrew’s choice of just a starter failed to satisfy him, but the huge wedge of cake that followed seemed to do the trick.
Reluctantly we left the warmth and ventured back out into the cold. Brian, reinvigorated having had his Senior Special fish and chips, was keen to get going so he led the way and took us to Elsing. We stopped at the old Mermaid pub, which is reopening on Dec 14th as the Lemon & Rosemary Yard Café & Deli. We had a quick word with one of the proprietors about their progress and told them we would be back to try out the coffee and cakes.
We continued through Bawdeswell, Foxley, Corpusty, past Mannington Hall, where Brian turned off for home and the rest continued to the next split at Red Barn Lane and back to PC.
Riders were, Brian P, Chris S, Andrew A, Ian A, Mark M.
PC to PC was 53.6 miles at an average speed of 13.7mph
Next week’s ride (10th Dec) is to No.77 Café, Coltishall
North Norfolk Wheelers 