Report by Ride Leader Ian A
Due to holidays, the onset of a cold and an aversion to getting wet, numbers were limited today. And so it was on a mild but damp morning that promised a few showers, Mark met himself at PC. He set off skirting David and Victoria (aka The Beckhams) then via Lower Bodham to pick up Ian at the pre-arranged meet by the A148 at High Kelling.
The route took the duo past Holt RFC, over the NNR bridge and onto Blakeney via Newgate and Wiveton. After a quick pause to admire the (very quiet) quayside, we detoured to have a look at Andrew’s (intended) new abode. A nice spot and looks great for a housewarming/Summer BBQ party(?) We’ll add it to the list… We then rode up to Langham, south through Field Dalling and on to Sharrington.
It was clearly ‘Sharrington in Bloom’ as the mass of celandine and daffodils was impressive. We then looped north to Saxlingham and round to Natural Surroundings, the cafe in Bayfield Park near Glandford.
It was only half full so we took advantage of the available luxuriant sofas in an alcove on the basis that, after looking at the clientele, we were probably the only people there who could fairly easily get out of them. The food is more generous-snack-based rather than lunches but we were happy with our choices of double cheese on toast with jalapenos and a tuna mayo panini. Tasty and arrived promptly. And it’s reasonably priced.
When we set off we’d clearly missed a bit of rain while we were inside but apart from a very short sprinkling on the way to the cafe we remained dry all day. The route after lunch took us through Letheringsett, crossing the A148 (fortunately very quiet) then south to Briningham (skirting Sharrington again), Brinton, Melton Constable and Hindolvesten. In the grounds of Briningham House (sometimes known as the Hall and built in 1838) there were sheep and our first sighting of spring lambs.
We then turned east to head through Nethergate, Thurning and on to and through Heydon Park. Then it was north-east through Oulton, Itteringham, Wickmere and Thurgarton, then swinging north to Bessingham and onto Gresham where Ian diverted up Holt Road to head back to High Kelling, leaving Mark to head back to PC and Sheringham.
Apart from the lambs, other notable wildlife included two mad hares (well it is March), many young piglets and an almost constant chorus of skylarks and chiffchaffs. Nice.
PC to PC was 50.5 miles at 14.4mph average.
Riders: Mark M and Ian A (leading)
Upcoming Rides –
Saturday 23rd March – Dunes Café, Waxham
Wednesday 27th March – Crosskeys, Dilham
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/
North Norfolk Wheelers 