Part 5 - Woodbridge to Stamford, Lincolnshire

 

Tuesday, 18th August, 1981

 Restless night as it was hot.  Had breakfast in car park then off to Norwich. 

We stopped at Woodbridge to see the castle of Framlingham.  It was very beautiful!  First record of the site was in the 1100 AD.  It was given to Roger Bygod by Henry the first.  It was here that Mary the first supporters rallied in 1553 when the attempt was made to set Lady Jane Grey on the throne.  The whole castle is steeped in English history - we all climbed up to the wall and walked around - so far above the ground Sandra took off.  I overcame my agoraphobia and took photos of castle and surrounds.  It is kept in good condition.  The family scared me out of my wits as I came out into the great wall, this type of castle I like.

Framlingham Castle (TripAdvisor)

We then drove to Stradbroke where I bought my first fresh English eggs - had one for lunch at "Olde Buckenham".  Slowly through Diss - the architecture of homes changes now.  Still Tudor but more Georgian.  Out from Diss we came across Goldbridge, the bridge a bridal party caused the capture of King Edmund later St Edmund one of England's few saints.

Norwich Castle

On to Norwich through hedge-lined narrow roads (good surface though).  We visited the Norwich Castle - though very big, was not impressed as it has been too commercialised - Norwich is a thriving city. 

We strolled through delightful winding streets, shops from another world - a market graced the middle of the town.  We were parked in a half hour spot but got lost and expected a ticket but luck was with us as we were only two hours late.  Norman churches grace every town.  Tired, we found a nice camping area where we scrubbed and showered, cooked a savoury mince and are now ready for bed.  We are now in Norfolk.

 

Wednesday, 19th August, 1981

Stayed overnight at wood-land camping area.  £2.50

Trimlingham - very nice.  Showered, washed hair, clean house, good night's sleep. Up and away about 9 a.m. into Cromer where there was a yearly carnival beginning.  We put the laundry in and went for a walk.  The centre of town is narrow cobbled streets; shopfronts untouched from another era - roads weave around all seem to go somewhere.  In nearly every town we notice the centre of town still in the past - beautiful little shop fronts abutting cobbled streets, narrow but negotiable.  On too Little Walsingham where we visited the shrine Our Lady of Walsingham built in 1060 AD. 

Shrine to Blessed Virgin

Pilgrims came from afar to pray here.  Once Catholic where a lady appeared to the widow of the Lord of the manner.  The English had a great devotion to the Blessed virgin.  The shrine is magnificent.  Cobbled stones - completely walled.  We went for a walk.  Noticed architecture changed as we went across Lincolnshire - ugly front of homes, the country, dark red unattractive bricks.  Then through other villagers the architecture changed again-cobblestone houses and walls.

Collected holy water from the well in a shower cap container and sprinkled the kids and the car.  Had lunch in car park - all car parks are pay and display 20p-50p.

 

On to Castle Rising, Norfolk - built in 1150 by Earl of Sussex.  Built it as a fortified dwelling.  Parts of the Gatehouse and north of the keep appear foundations of Norman Chapel.  Sandringham, the Queen's residence, could be seen in the distance.

Castle Rising, Norfolk

On to Heatham to the Lavender farm.  They had finished harvesting so very little Lavender could be seen.  Onto Kings Lynn - found a good park and shopped in their lovely little town centre.  Once again winding small streets, people stroll on the roads.  King's Lynn is on the Norfolk coast.  Here King John died after eating too many lampreys and lost his baggage in the Wash.  People still look for his treasure.  Then on to look for a campsite for the night - on to Stamford.

The entrance into Stamford is Uffington - pretty little village, first Stone hedges lined each side of the road and properties.  Stamford a large town-15,000 population.  Elizabethan built homes and buildings.  Large tall spires on churches which graced centre of town.  Tea in car park at Stamford - we met Italian family travelling in van - Senor and Senorita Fontaine and Barbara and son.  Exchanged gifts.  Then walked up to George hotel - lovely old inn.  Met a cynical Rhodesian who thought we were nuts to come to this country.  Had a drink then off to the campsite.

Woodbridge to Stamford