19 – 21 August, 2014
My visit to London was
punctuated by three days, two nights, in Norfolk and excellent it
was.
My time staying at
Clenchwarton was perfect. I caught up with people (except Ted, who
sadly couldn’t make it) and places I wanted to see. And I also had
some much needed rest time. After arriving close to midday, my body
appreciated a rest while I chatted and caught up with my host,
Andrew, with whom I also stayed in 2008. That evening it was off to
see an English institution, in this case Sue’s allotment after
coffee, and muffins (made by Pamela), at Sue’s.
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| Part of Sue's allotment |
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| Sunset at the allotments |
It was a larger space than I
imagined with a huge variety of vegetables growing prolifically.
Pamela also joined us on the allotment visit then we all went off to
the pub for dinner. We’d taken a bit long and had kept Ben waiting.
Sorry Ben! It was great to catch up with them all, then we went
ringing. Well! I hadn’t been on the end of a rope since North
America in 2011 and I hadn’t rung properly since 2008. I was
reasonably OK with the ropes but my memory for methods ….. blame
old age! 😦 A quick drink after ringing and the catch-up was
over. But Sue is counting down five years until a retirement visit to
Australia and New Zealand.
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| Chatteris Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul |
It was just awful news to
learn that Pamela’s husband died suddenly on the Saturday after our
happy get-together. Deepest sympathy to Pamela, RIP Jim.
Wednesday 20 August, was my
full day in the area. A relaxed start to the day then morning ringing
at Fincham. Again it was really enjoyable, in spite of my mistakes.
So much so that after these brief ringing experiences I thought I
might look into taking up ringing again. We’ll see. [2017: I didn't!]
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| Baptismal font at Fincham St Martin |
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| One of the roof angels looking down at Fincham St Martin church |
Then it was off to Norwich
Cathedral, a bit of a hike but Andrew kindly agreed to take me. Quite
a few years ago I read a book review: “Stories in Stone: the
Medieval Roof Carvings of Norwich Cathedral” by Martial Rose and
Julia Hedgecoe. A bit later I tracked a copy to the Architecture
Library at the University of Melbourne, had a look and bought a copy
on Amazon. I’ve wanted to see the bosses at Norwich ever since. The
best were difficult to see as the cathedral roof soars.
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| The best I could manage of the main nave bosses |
There were easier to see
bosses in the cloisters (much lower ceilings there).
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| A roof boss in the cloister |
While I couldn’t see the
main bosses as well as I’d have liked, what I saw was as expected
so not disappointing. The bosses along the main nave tell the
biblical story, starting with Adam and Eve at the altar end. We did a
conducted tour of the cathedral and that was excellent –
misericords, stained glass of various periods, memorials of all
sorts.
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Wonderful glass - the cathedral was originally a Benedictine establishment |
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| Always look up! |
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| A rare fragment of original decoration |
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| St Felix - brought Christianity to East Anglia |
One photo I didn’t take
was of the memorial to a 16C member of the choir, Osberto Parsley.
What a name! Did he get teased or was it not so fanciful then?!
Norwich Cathedral seems a bit off the tourist trail …… it’s
well worth making a detour.
That evening I caught
another English “tradition” that’s available in Australia but
I’ve not tuned in: Eastenders! I could see how easy it would be to
get hooked!!
Next morning I packed my
bags and we were off to the station – via Houghton Hall.
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| Houghton Hall |
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| Side wing of Houghton Hall |
I’d wanted to go there
since reading “Sassoon: the Worlds of Philip and Sybil” by Peter
Stansky, many years ago. In fact Andrew drove me there during my last
visit to Norfolk but it turned out to be
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| Working courtyard |
There are stables,
etc in and around this courtyard. Also a large display of tiny soldiers in formation for
famous battles - a strange hobby. 21st C work areas include cafe,
shop, loos for visitors.
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| Part of the walled garden, looking to the courtyard |
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| Apple and pear trees being espaliered to form an arch over a pathway |
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| The Croquet Lawn - visitors are welcome to play - but we didn't! |
As with earlier segments of
my trip, it was over far too quickly.
THANK YOU to Andrew, my host and chauffeur, to those I was catching up with who made the effort to join me, and to those I met for the first time. All of you made my stay a very happy time.
THANK YOU to Andrew, my host and chauffeur, to those I was catching up with who made the effort to join me, and to those I met for the first time. All of you made my stay a very happy time.
The King’s Cross –
King’s Lynn train trip is a fast and pleasant 1.5 hours passing
through Ely, with it’s stunning cathedral on the skyline, and
Cambridge, with no ‘views of note’ at all from the train.
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| Countryside, from the train to London from King's Lynn |
