Just walking in the rain

Am I the only person who's jacket ends just below hip height so that when the rain runs off it hits the bum and stays there. (I was listening to radio 4 yesterday and they suggested that bum is not an inappropriate word and what is good enough for radio 4....). By the end of the walk around Heydon mine was very damp indeed.

Parking at the rear of the pub a good group of walkers (11 if you must know) spilled out onto the lane near the green and the church. The forecast was for mist, with rain expected later in the afternoon, and you know where we are going with this don't you. Heydon is an embarrassment of riches, and it would have been nice to see the church, walk on the green and look at the preserved houses and be generally curious about this fascinating spot, but we were keen to walk.

Some of us were more prepared for the weather than others.

We set off towards the park gates on a very damp day. The best vista across the park was subdued in the foggy weather, all the lovely horses and cattle seen on previous visits were either taking shelter or had become invisible.

The trees in the park are magnificent and even this late in the season many of them are still in golden leaf. I loved the flat top hair cuts of the yew trees which looked really crisp and newly trimmed.

Perhaps the most dramatic sight on the walk would have been the house set back from the footpath, but the mist here shrouded the building and rendered the architectural detail a little vague, It was all rather Gothic.

Other homes were much more visible. We identified a wasp nest? in a tree, and admired this little detatched place whos occupant was fairly curious about us. We found no fairies under the toadstool, but it was nice to find a bit of fungus this week, previous walks having provided so many,
As the mist began to convert its self into rain, Gothic turned into wet.

I had to check the map at this point as the test walk I had undertaken had been on a hot sunny day just a few weeks ago. This did not look like that walk, but it was. Off we went again along a clear straight path travelling past fields and distant stands of trees, all a vague, hinted at view in the distance.

This walking group is not much put off by this weather and we steamed ahead at a great rate. Steam really did rise off us. Without views to enjoy we had the time and opportunity to chat as we walked and the time flew by.

The way took us along farm paths and into an area of woodland bracketed by 2 lovely old red brick buildings. One was a large farm house, the other more like a gingerbread cottage, both snuggled
among trees.

It had been as if we had the whole estate to ourselves, but eventually we walked out through a gate onto the road, quiet at this point, and wandered back to crossroads leading into the village again. This is one of those fascinating Norfolk roads that has become a tunnel, overhung by trees, and it draws walkers down into the view. In the fields along side the road were some robust black and white goats and, of equal stature, a fat white pony.

I wonder if animals think that we must be mad to be out when we could be in a cosy house. Home and hearth is even cosier though, when you have walked in the rain on a raw November day.

A real enthusiasm developed in the group at this point. We are almost back at the green.
And so we came to the tea room. Very Agatha Christie. Someone should solve a murder while sitting in the bow window of this amazing place, looking over Heydon Green for inspiration.

I don't often publish my photos of cake, but I do have an extensive collection.

We half fill the tea rooms and steam a bit more. The rain really did go for it now but from inside this charming little room, all higgldy-piggldy shelves and dainty china we were able to take a more philosophical view of this weather.

The cakes here are all home made and at least one comment was made on the bucket size of the cappuchinos. After a very leisurly cup of tea and my favourite spicy scones we took our various damp body parts back to the carpark (must try the pub one of these days) and away home.

Footnote: Gilly has a techie thingy that counts footsteps, mileage and calories. Sufice it to say 'we did good today.' in all respects. Result!

A walk in the park.

The park in question is the parkland around Felbrigg Hall, just one of the NT properties within a very short drive of the village. We met outside our local pub on a damp grey November morning. It sounds so unpromising, but we are hardy souls not to be deterred by the threat of drizzle, and we all enjoy the prospect of a walk.

But first a ride to Felbrigg village to start the walk away from the park entrance.
Gilly is walk leader and she seems to be the only one of the group who knows the route. This is  great because it is really fun going for a walk that you haven't covered before. We are all regular walkers but there are so many possibilities locally it is always possible to cover new ground.

The first impression is of emerging from a narrow path into a great wide open space and we are right in the centre of rolling parkland. Following Gilly's directions we head off along a path that rolls gently up and down, yet again proving that Norfolk is not flat. We undulate through the landscape

It is a faintly misty morning, and the first point of interest on this walk is seen in the distance. It is the lovely Felbrigg church, framed by trees and with a stout square tower. We are on our route heading towards that lovely building.

On the way we pass a more modest construction. I am guessing an owl box, well sited with a clear view across scrub land and hedges

This church is one of many local flint built buildings, made with beautifully napped flint. The church was open and we met people leaving as we arrived. It was such a lovely church that we stayed here for much longer than intended. 

Inside, richly coloured painting commemorated the dead and instead of pews, boxes accommodated the living.

Outside I found among the gravestones this lichen encrusted skull carved memorial that looked awful and beautiful. The stonework in the windows was also crisp and sinuous. The whole thing provides inspiration for a new needlework project so I record the best bits.

Perhaps because of the grey colourless light the greys of the stone and the natural tones of nature are greatly enhanced. The bark of this tree is a delight.

Finally pulling ourselves away from the church yard we are off towards the lake. Gilly shepherding the group through gates and along the path is leading well.The walk is a good one as each of our targets so far has been glimpsed ahead providing a real sense of anticipation of the pleasure to come.

It is a classic lakeside view, and our walk becomes a real nature ramble. The swans are splendid and we watched a heron take off from the reeds and overfly the water.

The group skirt the lake and head off into the trees.

Trees are a big feature of the walk today, The colour and shape of trees at this time of year is enhanced with so much of their structure evident as leaves are lost. I love the textures of fallen and decayed trees and today bits of dead tree are all over the path. Everyone finds rich examples of fungi to admire and photograph.

We have enjoyed the wild life and now for some tame life. There are lovely ponies all over this part of the park and they are quite unmoved by our proximity. In fact Gilly makes a friend.

This is the part of the estate with hills above the woodland path, down over marshy land along a board walk. Then we make an effort to scramble up a slippery path to the view above the lake

We also find someones home hobbited into the side of the hill.

Live and dead trees are silhouetted against the pale sky. All are equally impressive.

While I love how this one looks I cannot help thinking that It would burn lovely in the wood burning stove.

Finally we are on our way back to the beginning of the route and pass the church again.

The final bit of the walk takes us across the park via a tunnel in the hedge. We are ladies in search of a good cup of coffee. We really deserve it today, there has been so much to see on this walk that we have taken some time to cover the ground. The rather indifferent weather has not taken any of the pleasure out of the walk As it is out of season Felbrigg is not an option today, so off we go to the Groveland Cafe for quite acceptable coffee and scones.