Over breakfast I planned my day out to get some photos but when it came to leaving the pitch I found I wasn't going anywhere. After returning from my drive to the shop the previous day I'd wound the van window down to pass the hook-up cable through but forgotten to turn off the ignition when I wound the window up again and the battery was now completely dead. Cursing my own carelessness I phoned the AA and less than an hour later a very nice patrol man arrived and soon got the van started for me.
After leaving the engine running for a while I set off on the first part of my day, a visit to St. Benet's Abbey close to the River Bure. I'd been there last year after finding out how to get to it by road (in my previous non-camping years I'd only ever seen it from a boat) though it was only after I'd got home from that holiday I found out that there was a good panoramic view from the cross situated across the field from the main ruins. I had to watch my step walking across the field as it's regularly used by grazing cattle but I managed to reach the cross without putting my feet or the dogs' paws in anything nasty. The views from there were certainly expansive and far reaching, looking across open fields towards Thurne in one direction and towards Ludham bridge and beyond in the other, with a few glimpses of the nearby river thrown in.
Back at the main ruins I spent several minutes wandering round inside the windmill, reading the various bits of graffiti scratched into the stone wall and archway running through the centre of it. It was still possible to see certain figures carved above the ancient archway and while the one on the left, which I photographed last year, looked like a soldier with a rifle I couldn't make out the one on the right - horse, dragon or lion, I couldn't really tell. From the ruins I took a short walk along the riverside to snap a few photos then I returned to the van and set off to my next port of call.
The attractive village of Horning was only a relatively short drive from St. Benet's Abbey but by the time I got there the blue sky was well on its way to being obliterated by grey clouds. The free car park was a few minutes walk up the hill from the village and I didn't want to park there if it was going to start raining while I was exploring so I didn't stop; instead I went to Horning Ferry Marina and parked in the Ferry Inn car park close to the river. It was supposed to be for customers only but there were so many people around I don't think anyone would have known that I wasn't one.
As soon as I got onto the riverside I was approached by mother swan and her four almost-grown-up cygnets who followed me along for quite a distance. Every time I stopped to line up a shot they stopped too, looking at me expectantly, but of course I had nothing to give them - and if ever any creature was able to make me feel guilty then those five certainly did. On my way back to the van I passed a post with a laminated notice pinned to it, it was a list of charges for the foot ferry and the last couple of lines amused me enough to take a photo of it.
It was good to catch up with them both again, though sadly Eileen's eyesight is failing and she's now registered as partially sighted. There was also one family member missing - Joe, the Border Collie who always greeted me as soon as I arrived, and I was told that he'd died unexpectedly one night back in May. They are both great animal lovers, Eileen especially, and she really misses Joe so I don't think it will be long before they have a new family member.
After a brew and a good chat it was eventually time for me to go so with a promise to visit again before my holiday ended I said my goodbyes and headed back to the camp site. It had been a good day all round, and as I settled into the van for the evening I was already planning where I would go for my next day out.
Pleased you had a better day Tigermouse, loved the photo's always good to look back on and remember.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
It was a good day in many ways Yvonne, glad you like the photos :)
DeleteWhat a shame the first part of your day was having to wait for the AA but these things happen and lovely to see Sophie having a mooch on the deserted beach. Nice photos of the abbey and that looks like a horse to me as I think it has hooves. Love to see the swan family, it always make me feel guilty too when they swim towards you in expectation of being fed. Made me feel sad that your friends lost their dog suddenly, it's always heartbreaking. Hopefully you can get acquainted to a new family member next year.
ReplyDeleteWaiting for the AA man was no great hardship, at least I was in a much nicer location than at the side of a road somewhere. I still can't make my mind up about that stone carving - it seems to have a horse's head, with one back foot looking like a dragon's foot with claws while the other foot looks like a lion's paw, and it also seems to have a lion's tail. I suppose you could say it's a 'hordraglion' lol.
ReplyDeleteLosing Joe so suddenly was a great shock to my friends. He was only nine years old and had been fine the day before he died, running around and playing as he normally did but then Ron discovered him in his bed the following morning, he'd died sometime during the night. They have a field which has been made into part of their garden so Joe has been buried there and Ron planted an oak tree. He said they would be looking for another dog, although not one too young as Ron is now in his 70s, so probably when I visit next year there'll be a new one to greet me.
Stunning photos, I especially like the Abbey. Oops about the flat battery! Waiting to hear what mishaps come next......
ReplyDeleteYou won't have long to wait Anabel :) The flat battery was just one of those things that happen to many people I suppose, and at least I was in a nice safe location.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I've never visited that area, one for the list!
ReplyDeleteSt. Benet's Abbey is a very intriguing place, and the peaceful location by the river is lovely. It's not the easiest of places to find as it's not very well signposted but it's certainly well worth a visit.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a super day, especially the empty beach.
ReplyDeleteI too have had a flat car battery on a campsite and as a result, now keep one of these in the back of the car at all times.
C-Tek battery Charger
Not the cheapest of devices, but worth it for the peace of mind it gives: (it was £20 less when I bought it earlier this year, you might want to shop around if you're interested)
It was a lovely day Jayne, sadly the first of only three really good days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link, that looks like something worth considering if it will charge up my battery (it's a big one). I do have a big power pack which my ex gave me years ago but the mains charger he left with it isn't the right one so it won't charge up properly, otherwise I would keep that in the van.