Day 6
Norfolk Brickyard
After our second wild camp we realised that the days were just too long riding until 7-8pm. We were shattered, my hands and arms ached, Tom just ached, we needed a break. OK I know we’d only been going 5 days, and had had 2 nights in beds, but we decided we needed a break. We would also do a bit more stopping at campsites as well as wild camping over this summer.
We were in Norfolk because I wanted to revisit Blickling Hall. My parents had taken me and my brothers and sisters there, 50+ years ago and it had stayed in my memory. I Googled campsites near it, and top of the list was the Norfolk Brickyard. We booked 3 nights. We would arrive late Thursday, rest Friday and cycle unloaded bikes to Blickling and back on Saturday, then leave Sunday, rested and inspired. But then when planning our route after booking the site we found Blickling is 29 miles from the Norfolk Brickyard! Oh dear.
A mistake? Well actually no. The campsite was fabulous in a weird way. It was a wilderness, with hidden camp spots. A huge barn full of a wonderful assortment of decrepit but very comfortable furniture. A glitter ball. Dart board and hay bales and a view to die for. Outdoor showers, a choice of a bucket of cold water tipped over your head, or a blissful hot shower. We chose hot. Then the largest pizza oven on earth, tastefully made to look like a giant dragon. You had to love it.
We spent Friday servicing the bikes, cleaning the bags, and a quick cycle trip through the grounds of Holkham Hall to Wells-next-the-Sea for food and wine.
That evening what I can only describe as the cast of Motherland and Lord of the Flies arrived. Tom and I sat in the barn, drank wine and watched bemused but entertained at how the weekenders wild camped. The children ran constantly, every which way, generally holding a random selection of undergrowth, whilst various parents, wine in hand followed. The European Cup had nothing compared to this!
Saturday we abandoned Blickling and cycled to the beach at Wells, we raced a train and won, had a coffee in a coffee shop and generally behaved like tourists. Pizzas bought, we returned to the Brickyard, cooked them, fought off several wild children and retired to our campsite, fire blazing and finished off the wine. We felt wonderful.
Tomorrow... we were heading to Blickling Hall.
