Cantley Sugar Rush

"What about a trip out to Cantley marshes?" Now that's a question you don't hear too often.

Mention Cantley and most people share the same vision - a vast plume of smoke billowing from the sugar beet factory. As a sight it's not regulation pretty, but viewed from back across the marshes, it can look dramatic. Plus with the wind in the right direction, you're guaranteed a free sugar high.

Well this week we decided to take a gander. The recommended route is simple: down Marsh Lane, over the railway track, across the marsh, along to Langley Abbey and back along the river bank; then past the Reedcutter Inn and through the church graveyard to the village hall.


Now, I knew we were due a cracking day but I was unprepared for the beauty and diversity of the area. The marsh was carpeted an electric green and decorated with streams of petrol blue. And there in the middle, with its own pool and three trees was Cantley's very own oasis. It was like a scene from,"Out of Africa" with me playing the part of Robert Redford. Indeed it was so cool, I had to hold Sue's hand as we walked: not only was this romantic, it also served as a good way of slowing her down.

Look I don't know a lot of wildlife, but there was some serious activity going down over that marsh. First up there were some nasty, marsh harrier types putting the wind up the regular geese, just cos they could; then a Chinese water deer, with spring fever ran himself stupid for ten minutes trying to bag a lapwing; and later, a shower of shell ducks, sparkling like silver dollars, swooped all around us, just plain showing off. And this whole show was provided free, gratis and for nothing.

Next time the sun comes out and you've got nothing to do, just try the question about Cantley Marshes.

Location:Pottergate,Norwich,United Kingdom

Long Walk To Banningham

In today's blog I explain how to turn a short walk into a long walk. But first some background.

Knowing rain was expected, Sue and I turned up early in Banningham, a tiny village (population 524): of whom we saw three.

After just two minutes, it was obvious that our route for the day was flat and exposed. A shame then about the Siberian wind. Sensible Sue, looking like an extra from the Swedish drama "Fortitude" was appropriately dressed in arctic parka mode, while Dozy Dick, was inappropriately dressed in a crombie, more suited to Threadneedle Street.

Ok, for those of you who want nothing more than details of the walk - here they are: followed a nice stretch of the Weavers Way that traced the railway line from Birmingham to Great Yarmouth; did plenty of edge of field walking; found a few sheltered pathways, some hidden lanes and only had to negotiate a small amount of road work. Photographers will particularly enjoy the dead farm machinery that litters this area.


Now back to that long walk. It all came about, because we ignored the warning sign. Our short cut turned out to be an ankle-turning tangle of trunks and roots. Inadvertently we had stumbled into a No Man's Land inhabited by moles and a particularly vicious breed of bramble. With no way forward, we had to (like Shorty) cut across country.


This necessitated limboing under a barbed wire fence and then climbing over a second, less dangerous wire fence. Normally not a problem. Now factor in the information that there were just eighteen inches between the two fences and calculate the manoeuvre. The image of Sue burrowing for freedom, like some escaped POW is secure in my mental scrapbook.

For a good half an hour we were clueless. I mean we could have been in Belgium. Casting about for guidance, we eventually found a sign. It said Aylsham. Not at all what we wanted.

At this point we turned about and like a pair of lost souls, headed across the fields of North Norfolk, in search of the tiny village of Banningham.

Location:Snake's Lane,Lowestoft,United Kingdom

A Chance Meeting In Neatishead

For some time now, I have been concerned about my right ear. Imagine, if you will, sharing your head with a family of spiders and you'll get the idea. Well last night the spiders were particularly restless.

Next morning a change of scene was required and so we headed north to Neatishead - a posh place by Norfolk standards. Why even the car park was pretty. In the village, the brickwork was mellow and the gardens extensive with borders and hedges that had been tortured and beaten into shape. Not too many labour voters round here I guess.

Our first stop on the trail, was the boardwalk at Barton Broad. This Millennium project appears to be Norfolk's answer to the Everglades, but without the alligators. We stopped to enjoy the solitude, the silence only broken by the sound of my tinnitus.


Next up we tracked along a river bank, picking out snow drops, those yellow aconites and the first showing of daffodils. All the while, Sue talked about the blinds for her new home and I tried to nod in the right places.

And then something strange happened. A casual,"Good morning" to a guy tending his garden extended to a forty minute conversation. Turns out the "gardener" was on first name terms with Norfolk's leading audiologist. Now my Google search suggests the population of Norfolk is in the region of 900,000, so how comes I manage to meet up, in some back lane in Neatishead with a guy who might be able to help?

Reflecting on the random nature of life, we made our way to Alderfen Broad where there wasn't a sign of life and the only sound was the occasional falling leaf. Except that is, in my head, where it sounded like an anvil dropping on a meringue.

Location:The Street,Lowestoft,United Kingdom

Fleggburgh In February

It's that time of the year when it's important to get out and about. Otherwise, before you know it, you've gained six pounds and lost the use of your legs.

Watching the weather, we opted for a trip out to Fleggburgh, where we'd heard there was a short walk and a good local pub.

Parking at the village hall was easy. Now tell me this - are all village halls built to the same specification? And is the brief always the same: as in - here's £50,000; now build us something multi-functional and don't worry too much about the exterior. And if possible, could you add a bottle bank. Oh and one for clothes and one for newspapers.Thanks.


If you like variety this walk is a winner. On offer were: mysterious footpaths through churchyards and old holiday camps; "Deliverance" style woodland, where you could imagine the sound of duelling banjos; a mosaic of wetlands, magnificent oak trees and remote cottages occupied by lonely pensioners with cold hearts and too much money.

Oh but what fun we had: we passed close to Muck Fleet Dyke, posed at Nab End Pond and paused at the kissing gate; we skipped muddy puddles, popped up in people's gardens and happily pursued the sunshine.

And here's the reward. Take your debit card and have lunch at the Kings Arms. Somebody has done more than just throw money at this enterprise. Somebody has made a real effort here and it shows. Now tell me when was the last time you could say that about a dining out experience?

Location:The Street,Lowestoft,United Kingdom