Devall Travels

We set off about 1030 and decided to take the route that the Nissan Navigator chose for us via the motorways and the A22. A pee stop at Clacket Lane for Reggie and so we arrived about 1215.  It was sunny.  Remember that! Once out of the car we headed in to visit the loo ourselves before a coffee and a sit down before setting off around the gardens. All areas are dog friendly and they even have indoor seating in one of the tea rooms where dogs are allowed.  Something that other NT places maybe need to think about? Once we had drunk up we set off to find the autumn colours.  There are plenty.  I took a few photos with the Nikon D50 today. They seem to have come out pretty well. Then the clouds came over and it started to rain!  A drizzle turned into a deluge!  As can be seen on the surface of the lake in the picture below! The rain battering down on the lake! There was even a rainbow at one point! Doubt there's a pot of gold to be found! Once we were sui...

It's school half-term and I am on holiday.  So we are looking for places to go. Sheffield Park Gardens is a National Trust Estate and is dog friendly. Their busiest period is in the autumn (fall) when the trees are turning and so they have a pre-booking scheme in place.  I have booked for Monday 25th at 1230-1300. This gives us time to decide which route to take to get there and of course, make the 1h40m drive over there. More to follow. Waterproofs and dog towels?

Today Claire and I along with my brother Neill and his wife, Catherine, went to a guided tour and talk from an expert to Shornecliffe Military Cemetery. Steve the Guide gave us some history and the backgrounds to many of the servicemen buried there since it opened in 1856.

Today we decided to have the last day of my holiday and go to Sissinghurst Castle Garden with my Aunt Yvonne.  It meant we had to be up early and off from about 9.45am. The traffic wasn't too bad and we were there about 10.30am.  The drive to Sissinghurst was maybe another 40 minutes. As we had Reggie with us he wasn't allowed in the garden and so after a coffee and a cake they set off for the gardens and I set off to walk around the outside of the moat and down to the lakes walk.  Altogether its about a mile and half or so. I forgot to set the app on my phone so haven't got the actual distance. Who could live here? Delos Garden https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden/features/recreating-delos-at-sissinghurst- We walked around the lower lake and of course, met some other dogs. Reggie on his best behaviour.  By the time we got back to the restaurant and shop area Claire and Yvonne were in the shop. We decided to call it a day an...

Homeward bound I wish I was Homeward bound Home where my thought's escapin' Home where my music's playin' Home where my love lies waitin' Silently for me (Thanks to Simon & Garfunkel) We had to be out of the cottage at 9am, and after a restless night we were up and the car packed with  5 minutes to spare. The plan was to go to Monks Eleigh to visit Claire's cousins before  heading to the A12. Ready for the Off! Whilst  in Monks  Eleigh I took Reggie  for a turn around the churchyard.  I saw a sign to say that there were some Commonwealth War Graves in there, St Peters Church.  There were two well tended graves with  the traditional white Portland Stone headstones. Reggie had a snuffle around the long grass and hedges .  We had tea and biscuits and then all too soon we had to leave. Expecting traffic to be awful we left before 1pm. An aborted stop at the overflowing car park opposite Colchester United's football ground later, we eventuall...

Today's target was Felbrigg Estate. It's a little way off the A140 towards Cromer. We set off late as contrary to the forecast it had rained and was drizzling. Car loaded and we were off. Despite Nissan Connect showing a looping route via Dereham we actually went almost the same way as yesterday. The newish A1237 was again coned down to one lane and a ludicrous 10mph limit showing. Not much evidence of any work though. Quelle surprise! Once we arrived it was a case of waterproofs on and a walk to check out the walks. We decided on the blue waymarked "Church & Lake" walk. At 1.7 miles far enough in drizzle. We had a coffee and Claire took a walk to the Walled Garden. Reggie not allowed so we hung about outside. The rain stopped. Waterproof off. Rain started. Waterproof on. Claire took a few photos in there. We got part way into the blue walk when we found the field we were crossing was full of sheep. Reggie isn't ...

Drizzling earlier on and we had to decide where to go. We decided on a tour of the Broads. Satnav set firstly for Wroxham. There are supposed to be walks from around the bridge over the River Bure. Problem one was finding somewhere to park. Hardly any parking signposted. The town was rammed with tourists. In the end we found a free parking space at the end of Church Road. A relatively short walk to the centre. As we had no idea where to go, we ended up wandering around the boatyard where the rental boats go from, before finding our way to the bridge.  A coffee and scone later at the Wherryman's Café before we gave up on the hunt for the elusive walks. We decided to try Horning. Again nowhere to park and so we opted for Potter Heigham. Somewhere to park and have a walk, and Reggie to get out. Potter Heigham has a massive car park essentially belonging to Latham's shop for their customers. Or so the signs inform everyone. We were customers as we wanted to get some gifts to take b...