Day 4 Thurs 10 May

Day 4 Thursday 10 May 

Today started with an energy sapping waddle along miles of shingle bank. Well I did say I wanted to be by the sea!!! I managed to avoid most of the rain and the brisk breeze was sort of behind me.

I climbed up & down Gramborough Hill near Salthouse to get some respite from the shingle.

I had reverted to my very old, British made (on a British last!) boots today. Much more room for my bandaged feet. Although the shingle was killing my calf & thigh muscles it seemed to ease the pounding on the ball of my feet a bit.

At one point on my waddle I  came across a strange collection of objects that someone had arranged!!

It was great to see the guns at Kelling Hard. We're as safe as houses!! The Royal Artillery are on the job!! At this point I was off & on the shingle & grassy/stony path for a while with the last bit of shingle near Weybourne.

From there until Sheringham it was grassy clifftop paths with vegetation & land formed into waves by the wind!! Flutters of sand martins & the constant chirrup of skylarks accompanied me most of the way.

At Skelding Hill, just before Sheringham, I spied another Coastwatch lookout right next to the path. I introduced myself and chatted for a while to Paul Clarke. (I'm afraid that, though he told me I should introduce myself to the lookout at West Runton, it was a step too far down a steep slipway!)

The Two Lifeboats was my pub stop - right on the pathway. I did a running repair on my feet whilst drinking my pint - no mean FEAT!!! I passed on the crab sandwich as too expensive. I set off along the prom and stopped for lunch (a sandwich made at breakfast!!) I sat in the sun & out of the wind on the sea defence rocks with my back against the sea wall listening to the calming sound of the waves.

After lunch there was a steep climb up Beeston Bump (site of an old WW2 ‘Y’ Station listening post sending info back to Bletchley Park)  & back down the other side. Then golf courses & caravan parks until near Cromer when the path diverted to the main road thanks to coastal erosion (& the inability of caravan park owners to allow a pathway across their land!)

One would have thought that Cromer would have been the one place in Norfolk where one could purchase an abundance of crab in all its delicious forms. Not so - I found one tiny stall selling seafood - no prices on display which makes me nervous!! There were loads of pubs/restaurants advertising crab dishes (no doubt at equally inflated prices) I think I was spoilt by yesterday's offering. Cromer seemed to be more a fish & chip & amusement arcade place than further up the coast.
Last haul began with another steep climb up towards the old Cromer Lighthouse. The parkland in front of it was awash with a haze of bluebells. Then onto Royal Cromer Golf Course towards Overstrand.

Day 4 done & dusted - around seventy miles completed - 2 slightly sore feet (but not as bad a yesterday thanks to Dr Denise!!) - but I'm raring to go tomorrow.
May 11th 1943 was when 26 ATS soldiers lost their lives in a single bombing raid when their billet received a direct hit. The girls had not long come off night shift. Tomorrow there will be a short remembrance at the site of the bombing. The WRAC Standard will be paraded and ladies from Norfolk Branch WRAC Association (incorporating the QMAAC & ATS Old Comrades Associations) will be attending. Unfortunately I will still be walking but I'm hoping to meet up with some of them later. RIP to those who made the ultimate sacrifice & "Thank-you" to all the brave women of the ATS for lighting the way for us all to follow.

Day 3 Weds 9th May

Day 3 Weds

I started not far from the pub that Denise picked me up at last night!! Another fine, sunny day but with a cool breeze so walking was not so sweaty. (Yuck!!) The first part was walking through a mixed woodland and sand dunes - another of my least favourite walking surfaces!! I was still miles from the sea!!

At Holkham Gap the path switched to the land side of the woodland and the path became a grassy track - much kinder.

I soon reached the Coastguard Station at Wells-Next-The-Sea. I couldn’t resist the temptation to have a look at the sea. I climbed up to the coast guard lookout station, knocked on the door and was greeted by Phillip and Andy. We chatted, I signed their visitors book & gave them my card, I took their photo with “The SEA” in the background. Phillip kindly offered me a coffee which I had to decline (too diuretic!!) I thanked them & wished them a quiet day and made my way along the mile long sea wall to Wells itself.

From Wells the path hugged the edge of the marshes with its teeming wildlife. I find the call of some ‘sea birds’ beautifully haunting.

Today I was reminded of home (Pembrokeshire) with the cry of whirling oystercatchers as tide washed in. As I walked near one of the creeks I saw a curtseying sailboat - I didn’t think I was that important!!

It was about here that I wished I could walk on water. In the distance you can just make out the orange Lifeboat Station: 1.5 miles away as the crow flies - nearer 3.5 to walk!!!

I was buzzed by a few fighter jets as I walked between Stiffkey and Blakeney.
I decided not to stop off at Stiffkey as it was a bit off the path and my feet were complaining. I knew I had about 8 miles to go before the end of day stop so I thought I'd be sensible - again!! Blimey! Twice in a week!! I was sorely tempted by the Coasthopper bus though.

I found a large old wooden beam as my seat for lunch of sandwiches, lettuce & fruit washed down with a glug or two of water! The view and the ability to listen to and watch the flocks of birds that squabbled (& bonked!) as the incoming tide crept into the creeks more than made up for the lack of beer!

I still had a way to go so on I plodded. The walking was either on top of the sea defences, usually a gravel/sand surface or skirting the marsh itself on grassy worn paths. On the dykes it was good to see the saltwater habitat on one side and the freshwater habitat on the other. 

I past Morston with its small marina and continued on across the dykes to Blakeney. I decided to be sensible (AGAIN!!) and cut the day’s walk here, a mile before Cley next the Sea. My feet had been playing up so I rang for Dr Denise to pick me up early! Whilst I waited for her to arrive I decided to walk (hobble) along the river front towards the path to Blakeney Point. 

There was a car park and . . . Happy days . . . A hut selling . . . CRAB!! I purchased an amazing crab salad with a whole dressed local crab, mixed salad & crisps together with an elderflower pressé - all for the same price that I paid yesterday for just a small half lobster!! The lady running the stall & I chatted and I told her about my walk & gave her my card. As I turned to head to the car (Dr Denise had just arrived) there was a couple behind me. The lady said “Wow! Well done” I loaded my stuff & got into the car & tried to juggle with my takeaway crab salad & drink. The lady who had overheard my conversation came over and very kindly gave me a donation. She said she was a dog walker and thought walking 100 miles was amazing! Sadly I didn’t ask her name. It was very kind of her to donate - thank you 


As I write this Dr Denise is “operating” on my tootsies!! I can’t self-medicate them coz I can’t see them!!
Tomorrow is another day - I’ve done over half the distance now so it's all downhill from here!! Isn’t it??

Day 2 Tues 8 May

Day 2 - Tuesday

Early rise at 6am to get breakfasted & on the road to my start point. Holme next to Sea & its sand  & dunes may not be the easiest part of the journey I'm sure. Walking into Thornham was easier. Coming from Pembrokeshire it always amazes me how far away the sea is on the east coast!!

Walk in Norfolk they said . . . . Its flat they said!! Unfortunately the "coast" path turned inland at Thornham, climbing a fairly steep, straight road. Once at the top it then turned at right angles along fields for a mile, turned a right angle again & headed back down to Brancaster. All the time I was walking in the sweltering heat I kept thinking "Why??!!" Surely the planners etc could have found a flatter, easier route?

 

Never mind. Today’s stop was almost bang on the route so my lunch stop was the Ship Inn at Brancaster for crab sandwich & a pint!! Happy days 😎 A rest in the shade during the heat of the day is, was & always will be an excellent idea.
Leaving Brancaster and edging the marshes I heard my 1st cuckoo of the year. The 1st half hours walk was pleasant but for the heat and lack of a breeze. I could hear loads of different bird calls but I’m rubbish at identifying them either by sound or sight (with a few exceptions). My day was made even more perfect when I happened upon The Crab Hut, a small kiosk. They didn’t have any crab (?!)  but I did manage to get half a small lobster which I ate in the shade overlooking the marches. Made me a very happy bunny 😁

So, after my 2nd lunch!!, I set off again. I spent most of the rest of the afternoon on a dyke surrounded by birds!! It really is a “birders” paradise - if only I’d remembered my binoculars. Plenty to see to keep my mind off my aches & pains. The dyke curved in a semi-circle it’s start & finish about a mile & a half apart. Towards the end of my walk I could see the end-point a tantalising quarter mile away. It was hard to walk away from my destination thanks to the intervening marsh!!

I arrived wearily at The Hero pub in Burnham Overy and awaited Denise picking me up. I had to sup a pint of Adnams to while away the time!! Another 17 or so miles completed. Maybe tomorrow might be cooler.

Thank you to everyone for your support & encouragement.

I really do appreciate it.

Mon 7 May Day 1

Day 1 Monday 7th May

The 3 miles from near the A47/Swaffham McDonalds to South Acre was fairly easy-going but proved that Norfolk isn't as flat as you think!! (Photo 1)

I walked down past Castle Acre Priory (photo 2) through village & onto the Roman Road proper. Fortunately most of it was on the field side of the road with a hedge in between. Some of it was on the road however but I only had one idiot to contend with who tried to play chicken with me and & on-coming car!!

I met a lovely Dutch couple, Robert & Margaret, who were also walking a similar route. They were younger than I but not walking quite so far today!! Just saying 😀

I decided that, as it was such a hot, sunny day I'd be foolish to detour 3+ miles to visit the pub at Harpley - so I didn't!! See . . . I can be sensible sometimes!!
Instead lunch was a breakfast sandwich under the shade of an oak tree beside Peddars Way. The countryside is so fresh & green at this time of year. (Photos 3 & 4)

Although I had taken a fair amount of  water it still wasn’t enough for today but I was lucky enough to be able to re-fill at Sedgeford via a garden hose!!

Don’t let anyone kid you that Norfolk is flat - it had more dips & rises than Malvern!! (Well - maybe not!!)

The last three miles or so from Sedgeford to Ringstead were gruelling but I made it to the Gin Trap Inn and a lovely pint of Wherry!!

Sorry this is so late - I needed to eat & the service at the hotel restaurant isn’t the speediest! I’m so tired that I’m making silly mistakes of my computer so the photos will have to wait till tomorrow!!

Thank you to Denise for putting up with my crabbiness . . . . . AGAIN!!

2018 D-Day Minus 1

Sunday 6th May 2018

Norwich City

Today I have settled into my accommodation in Norwich ready to start my 100 Mile Solo Walking Challenge tomorrow, May Day Bank Holiday.
I will be walking between 16 - 20 miles each day for six days, along the Peddars Way and round the North Norfolk Coast to finish in Great Yarmouth on Saturday 12th May.

I have chosen this route because on the 11th May 1943 twenty-six members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (the then women's branch of the army) were killed in a bombing raid on the seafront at Great Yarmouth. Their billet took a direct hit.

There will be a short Memorial Service at the Burlington Hotel (site of the original bombing) at 1100 hrs this Friday 11th May attended by members of the WRAC Association (Incorporating the QMAAC & ATS Comrades Association). It is possible that this will be the last time that members of the ATS will be able to attend this annual commemoration.

My walk is to honour the 26 ladies and the other remarkable members of the ATS (some of whom I am honoured to call my friends) who 'did their bit' for the war effort allowing us all to enjoy the freedom & rights which we enjoy today and which I would still actively protect: the right to live our lives peaceably & in harmony with ALL people. The right to live in a tolerant world.

If my cancer has taught me anything it is that:

a) Our lives are short & unpredictable

b) We should 'seize the day' and enjoy every moment

c) Trying to be understanding and tolerant is way more satisfying than bearing grudges.

If you would like to help my fundraising please do so at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC

These are my planned stops (hopefully!!)

Lunch Stops –

Probably sometime between 1200hrs and 1400hrs (no guarantees!!)   

Day 1) Harpley (Rose & Crown, PE31 6TW)

Day 2) Brancaster (Ship Hotel, PE31 8AP)   

Day 3) Stiffkey (Red Lion, NR23 1AJ)  

Day 4) Sherringham (2 Lifeboats, NR26 8JR)  

Day 5) Bacton (Tea Shed, NR12 0EP) or Poachers Pocket, NR12 0LS)  

Day 6) Winterton On Sea (Fisherman’s Return, NR29 4BN)

End Stops –

Probably sometime between 1700hrs - 1800hrs.

(If no-one is waiting I’ll probably return straight to Norwich)

Day 1) Ringstead, Gin Trap Inn, PE36 5JU (Only if I’m doing OK!!)   

Day 2) Burnham Overy, The Hero, A149, PE31 8JE  

Day 3) Cley-next-Sea, The George, High St, NR25 7RN

Day 4) Overstrand, White Horse, 15 High St, NR27 0AB  

Day 5) Sea Palling, Probable pick-up at NR12 0UE and drive to Gt Yarmouth, Burlington Palm Court, for meal if anybody is planning to still be there!!!

Day 6) Grt Yarmouth, Burlington Palm Court, North Dr, NR30 1EG