Ranworth

The couple we met last night from Leicester, said that Norfolk was like stepping back in time, something we had to agree, especially to the west of Cromer. Out of politeness we made a point of speaking to the couple in the smaller transporter van between us and the German van. They said, they felt like the filling in a VW sandwich, but didn't seem overly bothered about it, well certainly not enough to move into one of the other spaces. As the sun set, obscured by the headland and cloud we decided to find out why some of Marge's electrics were not working. A 15 amp fuse was the problem, an easy fix, thank goodness. 

This morning we awoke to calm seas, sunshine and vehicle noise. We were glad yesterday evening we'd moved from the road along the seafront to a small parking area set back from it. For such a small place, an awful lot of rush hour traffic seemed to pass through. This area of Norfolk felt different to the north coast and we hoped as we moved into the broads we wouldn't be disappointed. Firstly we needed to top up Marge's water tank. John found out via the park4night app that water could be obtained at the boat area adjacent to Horsey Mill, so we headed there.

Horsey turned out to be a hidden gem. A pretty little place with a windpump restored by the national trust.

Here at Horsey the broads meet the sea a short walk away, but we decided to take the four-mile loop walk to Bromgrove Mill and back, stopping at All Saints church, a beautiful Saxon thatched building.

We took a look inside, then sat in the churchyard to eat our lunch. Along the way we had to step over caterpillars, jump out of the way of swallow tail butterflies and stop to watch a crane as it glided over Horsey Mere. The weather was beautiful, and dare we say, a little too hot. Back at Marge her internal temperature was 32 c. Are you having a hot flush Marge? What's that woman wearing? Oh no, not again Marge, leave people alone. Oh, a one-piece disaster we think. You can see every curve, and more. Honestly, the National Trust will let anyone in these days, it's gone right downhill. 

Late afternoon we decided to move on to a pub at Ranworth. The Maltsters offered overnight parking in exchange for money spent with them. Fair enough. It's Friday night and we like to ensure we're somewhere fairly safe at weekends.

The pub is right beside Ranworth broad and the sunshine had brought out the visitors. We settled Marge then walked along a boardwalk through the nature reserve to the visitor centre. Eclectic flora and a variety of woodland birds all around. Dragonflies patrolled and rafts of ducks drifted by. The panoramic vista from the visitor centre was beautiful.

Hungry from our days walking we ordered two pizzas from the Pizza Den in the pub garden then settled down with cold drinks to enjoy a rare warm summer evening. This evening we have a view of the water from Marge and are enjoying the songs of the blackbirds, thrushes and robins around us. Here's to more of the same tomorrow, Marge.