Exciting

Oh blog, I refuse to let you lie down and go to sleep. You just go into hibernation for a while.
Well, wake up! We (potentially) have someone coming to see you. Get showered and put on some decent clothes. Prepare to say hello to Laura...

Ooooops

And by "later", I didn't exactly mean a week.
A minus. Must try harder.

Later! As in today.... maybe.

Four Weeks Today... It Better Not Be Raining!

Well, the old blog has lapsed a little. All it takes is one or two people to say that they read it though, and that inspires me to pick up and crack along with it, so here we go.
More about last night later...

Just Photos

Forgot to write this up, so you'll have to provide your own dialogue...

What, No Whinging?

Yes indeed. It’s about time to post a blog without moaning about something. I cannot guarantee that a mini-whinge won’t slip in, but I shall try my best.
As you’re probably aware, I do like my walks. The first proper one of the year was last Sunday when I did a 6 miler. The usual route from home, down to Denver Sluice and along the river bank to the bottom of town before returning home.
Yesterday saw another regular one, but with somewhat better scenery. It’s this walk starting at Brancaster Staithes...



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I was sort of in two minds which one to do, but the weather looked very good so a coastal walk was in order. I grab all the gear together and head off. About an hour’s drive, avoiding all the crowds heading to the coast taking their mothers out for lunch.

The usual place to park was a pub very near to the start point. Sometimes, I do feel guilty about parking in pub carparks when I do these walks. Often, I'll get back and head off rather than take advantage of the hospitality. Here wasn't the case though. I've eaten there three times in the past and had drinks too, so plenty of my cash has passed over the bar.

Off we go then. Cross the road and get onto the coastal path. First opportunity for a photo...

This is a lovely row of cottages just next to the slipway at the... well, it's more of base for the smaller fishing vessels. SMall creeks and the like.
It's not long before we leave this place behind though and get onto the main path that runs parallel to the road albeit towards the sea.
It's a pretty well walked path, but the sea can come right in to partially flood the area. To overcome this obstacle, there are built up walkways for some of it...

Jack was really loving it though. Happy to be off the lead and running free. Diving up on the path then down again into the mud.
Met a few people along here. Mostly couples out for a gentle stroll. Had to check myself a couple of times as found myself marching along at a hell of a pace.
There are some lovely houses along this stretch. You can't really see them from the road, but they look quite something from the coast side - probably quite expensive too, no doubt!

After a mile, it's a cut through a field (ancient burial ground or something like that), then cut up a small lane. Any excuse to take a photo, but this did amuse me...

Why the speed restriction? Can you imagine anyone attempting to get to thirty along this lane? I'm about halfway up it, and then it's a sharp lefthander, so absolutely no distance to get the speed up even if the road were good enough.
So, along the A149 for a bit and then cut up a path and start climbing a little. Okay, so Norfolk is relatively flat. There are hills though, and whilst not exactly mountains, they are enough to stretch the calfs a little.
Once at the top, it's a cut through some small woods. This is what I like about this walk; everything is different as you go round. Start off on the coastal path with all the smells of the sea, then take on a few hills, then woods, then moorland. Anyway, this little thing took my eye. I suspect that it's something to do with orienteering or somesuch, but quite pretty though.

The woods don't last long, then it's through some moorland to a minor road. Pause for a photo... (or should that be paws for a photo?).

This is where we exit the moorland. Now it's roads for a couple of mile. Nice fields either side, and I have seen plenty of wildlife around. Deer, rabbits & hares etc.

After a couple of miles (point mark 5 on the map), we start dropping downhill again and then join a (slightly) busier road down towards Burnham Deepdale. Quite small village dominated a row of shops surrounding a petrol station. Here we cut through a footpath and then join the coastal path again (point 6). Here, again, are some lovely house, one of which I captured for your delectation...

On the final stretch now. More people along the coastal path too. A few comments about Jack, as usual. After the final half mile or so, we arrive back at the boatyard type area. Gratuitous "arty" shot of some lobster pots...

And finally a quick panorama to show off that you don't need a tripod and a super-wideangle lens, just a decent copy of Photoshop.

Roll on next Sunday.

Did You Know That It's March 16th?

A random title if ever there was one.
Couple of things.
Firstly, mini-review of the Mr Scruff gig.

This time it was at the Junction, Cambridge. Not a bad venue, been there a couple of times to see bands. Drove there (after picking Gem & J up at Ely) and parked in the multi-storey, directly behind the venue. Muchos convenientos.
It was only about 10.30, so relatively quiet. We got ourselves “parked” in front of the central desk, so sound was okay. Things to remember...
• Mr Scruff coming to stand right by us and J not having a clue who he was (girls were at the toilet).
• A Wagner lookalike wandering, much to the crowd’s enjoyment (not sure if the similarity was intentional).
• The very nice tea and cake.
• The extremely amorous couple who were glued to each other’s lips for most of the time.
• The slightly older couple who were totally “going for it” (in a dance-type way) towards the end.

Secondly, I think I ought to have a rant. Haven’t had one for a while, and you can’t beat one. Typically it’s about driving.

Now this doesn’t really affect me at all and it probably amuses me more than annoys me. But, what is it with car parks and people wanting to get as close to the pedestrian entrance as possible? This is common at practically every carpark that I go in, be it work, public, supermarkets.
Off they tootle to the far lane. What no spaces? Well in that case, they will:
a) Proceed to drive round and round the circuit until someone leaves.
b) Pull in at the side of the roadway, often blocking cars in and/or making it very difficult for those people that are driving round and round the circuit looking for a space.
c) Decide (and these are the worst, in my opinion) to make use of an empty disabled bay, family parking bay, or pick up point.

Now, the extra 100 meters that I walk from my easy-to-find bay (more on my choice later) bothers me not a little bit. We do have legs, you see. I cannot help but snigger at those vehicles who are driving round and round, or who are pulled to the side with anxious looks on their faces. The same ones who entered the car park many minutes before me.
Ah yes, my choice of bay. I tend to go for one with space at the side so I can give the car(s) at either side of me plenty of room to open their doors. More than once have I found a minor blemish from where a door has been carelessly opened into mine. I can understand it though; eyes full of tears as they struggle with the fact they have to take a further 20 seconds to get from their car to the pedestrian entrance after not finding closer space.

Speed Blogging

Fastest post that I've ever done.

Work is easing up - at last.
I have a cold.
This cold will be beaten by Saturday, because...
It's another Mr Scruff gig.

More later. Maybe.