Thursday, February 28, 2019

 

Who dug a pond on Itteringham FP16?

Despite evidence to the contrary, Mrs OB and I keep on troshin an' turnin. Today we were inspecting paths around Blickling for our Thursday walking group. Now the paths in Blickling Park are well maintained by The National Trust and quite suitable for some of our walking group, who have restricted mobility, but I wanted to break out into the surrounding countryside. The infant river Bure runs just to the north and a quick map inspection suggested a route through the meadows, which could be linked to a circuit within the park.

Route of FP16
Leaving the park at Bunker's Hill (TG1538729343), we followed a wide track to Itteringham. A short section on the quiet road, then FP crossing the Bure on a substantial footbridge (TG1540130012). A beautiful section followed on the river meadows, zigzagging to cross drainage channels on more little bridges.

With the unmistakable White House Farm ahead, we turned sharp right heading south for the river. Closer inspection of the OS map showed that the right of way goes through the middle of a big pond, so we diverted to leave it on our left.

When we got nearer the Bure (TG 1632630478) we could find no way across, but sharp eyed Mrs OB spotted a plank bridge a little way upstream, which we crossed with caution.
Now we were in a rough area with no obvious path. Grateful that we were before the nettle season, we forged a path to the back of Mill Cottage, crossing the Bure on the mill dam.

Once back on the road, we headed south entering Great Wood  (at TG 1628229905). Then, through the woods, past the Mausoleum, like a pyramid, and back to The Buckinghamshire Arms (TG 1768828551) for a pint of the wine of the country a.k.a. Woodforde's Wherry.

On reflection we considered that this could be a superb route, but was unsuitable for our walking companions because of the precarious bridge and ill defined path close to Mill Cottage.

I have reported this obstruction to the Norfolk CC Rights of Way Officer, so we shall see if improvement is possible.



Sunday, April 10, 2016

 

5 miles round Wiveton



What a glorious day! Mrs O.B. and I have been out exploring the public and permissive paths around Wiveton and Glandford in North Norfolk. We used OS 251 Norfolk Coast Central

We parked the motor at Wiveton Down (TF033422) which is a hill of gravel (yes folks a hill in Norfolk)  left over from the last ice age. No signs of ice today, but the whole area was a mass of gorse flowers releasing their coconut perfume into the air. Mrs O.B. said that it reminded her of the smell of that cheap sun cream that I bought once.

From the carpark, ignoring the steep and overgrown path to the right, we walked to the far end of this little nature reserve, where there is a path down to the road. Then, back tracking a little, we took Bazzy Lane in a southerly direction. This is a public bridleway, but the sign has been broken off.

After a short dog leg and before arriving at The Boxes, there is a permissive path to the left, with a footpath finger sign. This takes you past Oulton Wood to the boatyard, cafe and binocular shop complex at Glandford (TF043415).

Resisting the temptation of the cafe, we crossed the Blakeney Road and over the river Glaven by footbridge beside the ford. Quite a good flow today and I was rather disappointed that no (foolhardy) motorists were prepared to have a go.

Just over the river there's a permissive path on the right to Bayfield Hall, which appears to be well used. As we reached the woodland near the hall there was a choice of left or right, so we turned left, up hill (!) through a stand, or in some cases fall, of venerable beeches.

We lost the track at this point, but eventually arrived at Wall's Lane (TF057413), where we turned north, keeping on when the road turned left and climbing Lavender Hill to arrive at Bridgefoot Lane (TF054426).

Then it was on the road, pausing only to admire the ancient Wiveton Bridge and for a swift one at The Wiveton Bell. Back at Wiveton Down the gorse was still in bloom and the views of the coast were magnificent. On the horizon a multitude of wind turbines and on the coast the white sails of Cley Mill.



Monday, April 25, 2011

 

Reepham; walkers paradise?


Hello again. Mrs O.B. and I have been exploring the paths around Reepham during this Easter period. Nice place Reepham, and not least because it is off the beaten track. There's almost everything that you could wish for in the town including a choice of pubs and churches.
Reepham residents are well served with paths and tracks, most of which appear to be well used and are adequately signed. In addition the former railway line, now the Marriotts Way offers level walking for those who don't like getting lost.
We just picked some routes from OS Explorer Map 238. You might find the Norfolk Countryside Access Map at http://www.countrysideaccessmap.norfolk.gov.uk useful too.
Walk 1
We parked the motor on the verge in Whitwell (MR091216). Under the railway bridge we took Back Lane and Broomhill Lane to Hackford Vale, crossed the B1145 to follow Catchback Lane. Under the railway again to join a FP on the right, which led off across meadows (could be wet) to an intersection of paths south of Crowden (MR094245). Very unusual stiles on this path (see above). As I said to Mrs O.B. "I've never seen anything like them in my life." But you might say that I should get out more.

The next section is a bit tricky. Follow the field edge going north and enter woodland just west of Crowden. At the other end of the wood the FP heads for Kerdy Green, but there was no sign of a path on the ground and in the end I had to help Mrs O.B. over an electric fence. However, there is a waysign at Kerdy Green pointing back, so the reverse route should be a doddle.
From Kerdy Green we took a track west, then SW, crossing the Kerdiston Road. Near Carr's Farm (MR075245) we took an ancient track, which eventually linked up with Marriotts Way at the former level crossing on Kerdiston Road. About 20 early purple orchids growing in the bank lifted the spirits and a group of noisy off roaders dampened them again.
Full steam along the old railway track brought us back to the starting place near Whitwell station, where the sounds of hissing steam from a saddletank locomotive and clinking tea cups from the waiting room cafe were music, of a sort, for our ears.

Next walk in another post.

Old Boots

 

Old Boots is back

Just don't ask where I've been for for so long. One day I'll tell you about Mrs O.B. and my walking adventures in Australia and Switzerland, but now we are back on our home turf. We've both got new walking boots and we're ready to hit the trail.

Old Boots

Monday, August 28, 2006

 

Colourful ling and gorse on Marsham Heath Posted by Picasa

 

Track to Marsham Heath Posted by Picasa

 

Marsham Circular Walk (Norfolk County Council)

I walked this route today; well most of it, though I cut off one section and got lost in another. The highlight is Marsham Heath, which today was a riot of yellow gorse and purple ling. (I'll put a photo on www.walknorfolk.blogspot.com) I managed to get lost at MR 166237 so spent some time exploring Gully Hill, eventually rejoining the route via Marsh Plantation.
The section on the B1145 from MR 164250 to MR 166252 was a nightmare. There's an overgrown, narrow, footpath here, which can be used as a refuge from passing vehicles, but it's not possible to walk along it. This section is DANGEROUS. I suggest the following alternative route, which uses concessionary paths (I think):
From MR165249, turn sharp ESE to MR169247 then NNE to Frog Hall.
Parts of Spa Lane are flanked by ancient oaks, which serve as a memorial to their fellows which have been felled, long since, in the service of agricultural progress. There is rural tranquility and wanton insensitivity to be found in Spa Lane, with an unsightly heap of defunct Portaloos shortly before a turn to the S leads to The Mermaid. This cross field path was unpleasant going today, because the farmer had given the field a dressing of rotting onions. Fortunately The Mermaid was at hand for the dog to have a bath.
I had intended to leave the route at MR 188245 and take the FP to Cambridge, but the cross field section of this path was obstructed by a crop of dwarf beans, so I followed the field edge to rejoin this path, which makes its way through various paddocks and gardens, eventually to emerge onto the road.
In summary: good in part, but could be better.

Monday, April 24, 2006

 

No attempt to keep this path clear Posted by Picasa

 

Here's the route of my Hethel walk Posted by Picasa

 

Hethel 3 miles

Yesterday the dog and I walked some of the paths around Hethel, Norfolk (TG172004) using the OS Explorer 237, Norwich map. This was mostly a pleasant experience, spoiled only by half a mile on the B1135 and an obstructed path at TM165998.

 

I parked on the green beneath splendid trees at Bond’s Green. Promising myself that I would return to investigate the church another day, I took the FP north leaving Church Plantation and big pond to my right. A sharp turn to the left lead me past a fine display of cowslips and primroses to Cranes Road, having taken a turn to the left in a thicket  to reach the road.

 

Turning north on the road for a few yards I turned to the left passing Moat House, which appeared to have a multiplicity of moats. A left turn off the track passed some farm buildings of clay lump construction. This path followed yet another moat and crossing a stile turns right through small meadows, which were occupied by one black and two white cows, which may have been English Park cattle, but I’m no cow expert. However, they and I kept our eyes on each other as I crossed there home to visit the “Hethel Thorn”.

 

The Hethel Thorn, although unimpressive to my eyes, is reported, according to the information board, to be of historical, social, artistic and biological interest. I leave you to judge.

 

Crossing a further meadow, under the observant gaze of the second white cow, I rejoined the road at a dog resisting stile. Following the unmade road past the delightfully unimproved Church Farm and making a right turn near to yet another moat shown on the map, the path leads through a long narrow meadow, but a turn to the left after only a few yards leads to a rough path to the Wymondham Road. I found this path difficult going between a wire fence and a scrubby hedge, so I took a parallel course in the adjacent grassy field. With traffic on the road in sight I came to a barbed wire fence, ditch and a further rabbit wire fence. As I was trying to negotiate these obstacles, the helpful farmer showed me a better route where he had placed some straw bales to form a temporary stile, which I crossed, clutching the, by now wet and dirty, dog in my arms.

 

The unmarked path then led on through the crop to cross a low bridge and, forging a path through a dense crop of rape, dog and I reached the Wymondham Road and turned left. After half a mile and just before the road junction, we turned left to cross the unimpressive Hethel Bridge. Over a stile to the left a FP brought us back to Bond’s Green.

 

Old Boots


Tuesday, July 26, 2005

 

Discover the Heart of the Broads

Discover the Heart of the Broads follow this link to the Wherryman's Way website. This is the new path from Norwich to Gt Yarmouth and the site is not easy to find by searching Google.

 

Home - National Trails

Home - National TrailsFollow this link to the National Trails website

Sunday, May 08, 2005

 

Public Rights of Way in North Tuddenham. Surveyed between summer 2004 and spring 2005. Posted by Hello

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