Travel story Newcastle to Harwich
Travelstory Newcastle to Harwich
Gerda and Theo Kroon
18th june until 3rd july 2002
Distance 1.040 kilometres
Table of contens
Inleiding
|
After our former bicycle holidays, a trip around Holland and a trip along
the rivers Donau, Neckar and Rhein from Wien to Beverwijk we decided to
make a cycle tour in England in 2002. Although we already had some routes in
East Anglia we choose to start our bicycletour in Newcastle and the end it
in Harwich.
At the bicycle holiday shop in Woerden we bought the necessary bicycle maps.
We took the maps of Sustrans which covered somed routes of Newcastle until Harwich.
These routes are part of the routes published by the National Cycle Network.
Four
maps of Sustrans and two Ordnance Survey maps (one map covering the area around
Newcastle) were enough for our bicycle trip..
(next)
|
We should use The Ordnance Survey map of Newcastle and surrounding area (bought at Pied-a-Terre
in Amsterdam)
to start our route along the Reivers Regional route.
Following this route, along a former railway, we could leave Newcastle on a save bicycle path. Later
we cycled a traffic light roads, so we good get acquinted to the traffic and to cycle on the
left of the road.
We booked the ferry from IJmuiden to Newcastle Upon Tyne at DFSD ferrys in IJmuiden. The
ferry of Harwich to 'Hoek van Holland' at Stena Line in 'Hoek van Holland'.
This year we planned our distances of one day not to long. The longest day was about 90 km.
Our averich distance would be about 70 km.
We wanted te camp on campings sites along the route.
|
Beverwijk to Newcastle
|
From our living place, Beverwijk', to the harbour of IJmuiden, where the ferry to
Newcastle should leave, is not to far.
To reckon with a possible flat tire and some delay at another ferry, crossing the Noordzeekanaal,
we left rather early. We arrived in IJmuiden more than one hour before boarding time.
After we checked in we received our boarding tickets. Timits forty bikers we cycled into the
cargo area of the ferry. What a noice.
We had to put our bikes in a kind of standard against the hull of the ship. With a belt, specially
bought for this event, I could tie up our bicycles.
On such a ship you will get the holiday feeling almost immidiatly. What a gigantic ship. On deck 9
or was it 10, we could walk outside on the deck. It was very high.
(next)
|
In the evening we dined in one of the restaurants onboard of the ship. We made a reservation
for an buffet with food from the diverend part of the world.
Diner was good. The prices of coffee and red wine are very high, but probably normal. Later that
evening we drank some wine at one of the bars and listened to the live band. The entertainment
act was dull and too long.
At the middle of the night we went to bed. We slept well. Next morning we soon good see the
coast of England. About one hour later, departing of the ship began. Between the motorbikes
we passed the customs.
|
Newcastle to Beamish, 73 km
|
After we left the harbour of Newcastle, we cycled for a short while with an elder person. We
wanted to follow the Reivers Regional route number 10. The beginning of this route runs along
a former railway. Following this cyclepath we could savely leave Harwich. And we could get used
to cycling on the left side of the road.
The other person would follow the Sustrans route number 72, along the river Tyne. After three
roundabouts we had to say goodbuy.
In the beginning we had to surch for a short period and with the spontaneous help of an Englishmen
we soon found the cycle path. The weather was good. The sun was shining but the wind blew rather
hard. Almost the whole day we had to cycle against the wind. Later we had to pass a lot of fencies,
they made me almost crazy. Each time we had to turn our bikes a 180° between the fences or we had
to lift our bicyle over some beams.
At Ponteland we left the Reivers Route and we went for Heddon on the Wall. Via Blayton we
wanted to follow the Sustrans route number 14, the Three Rivers Cycle Route.
In the afternoon at Heddon on the Wall we passed the Hadrian's Wall.
(next)
|
A wall, build 122 years after Christ straigh through England to mark the norther end of the Roman
empire in Enland. The Roman emperor 'Hadrian' gave the order to build the wall
The trip through the valley until Rowlands Gill was wonderfull. The landscape was very nice. The hard
blowing wind through this valley made this trip very heavy.
From Rowlands Gill we should pass Burnopfield and Stanley to Beamish. We hade the intention to
visit the Open air museum of Beamish the next day.
The way to Beamish was very steep. We now know what English people mean with push bikes.
bedoelen. The landscape was very nice.
Because of the wind it feld very cold on the camping site.
In the beginning of the route we had some trouble of the mesh left by the young people.
Especially at the bridges and tunnels. We had to ride carefully because of the broken bottles.
|
Beamish to West View, 48 km
|
Today we should visit the open air museum of Beamish, but our bad experiences of yesterday with
the hills, made us decide to offer this day of rest to an extra cycle day. Instead of the planned
2 cycling days to Thirsk we should do it in 3 days.
Just after Beamish we had to climb some hills. Cycling along the B6532 to Edmonsley evantually became
walking. Also the climb towards to Sacriston we had to walk. After this place our strain was reworded
and we rumbled down to Durham, a heavy traffic city. We had to be carefull. Riding left on the
roundabout is a strange experience. But once on the roundabout it is just a matter of being calm.
In Durham we firs drank a wonderful cup of coffee at a bakery and later we visited Durham Cathedral.
The cathedral is very beautiful. Wonderfull gebrandschilderde windows and nice columns bearing
the enormous roof of the cathedra. A visit worth while.
(next)
|
Leaving Durham we had to climb again. Because of the heavy traffic we decided to walk a bit.
Via Gilesgate it went smoothly. The climb at
Little Town was no problem. Via Haswell we cycled towards Shotton Colliery.
Today we had to pass a lot of fences again. Some fences taper. About twenty times I had to
release my cardholder, handlebar across, lift the bike through it and tighten up my cardholder.
The 14 chicanes, made of large boulders
along the cycle path towards West View are probably made by an artis with a slight braindamage.
Unnecessary and by all means clumsy.
Further to West View the cycle path was good. The path is running down slowly so we arrived at the
coast very soon.
At Crimdon House Farm we have put up our tent. Because of the fact that we were foreigners,
we were automatically made to members of his camping. Without being a member we were not allowed to
stay on the camping.
A clean toilet, no shower, but a nice pitch with a view at the sea.
(From the cyclepath you first has to cross the foot bridge over the railway track and through
the meadows to the farm. You can also visit the farm through the entrance of the A1086)
|
West View to Swainby, 54 km
|
We left the farm (camping) early this morning. We continued our route, almost immediatly in the
city of West View, soon followed by Hartlepool. When we cycled along the boulevard the very hard
wind was slowing us down. The route through Owton Manor a suburb of Hartle was very well signed.
At Field House Farm somewhere along the rural part between Greatham and Billingham we ate a small
piece of applepie.
The route through Billingham was a disaster. From the crossroad with the A1185 we followed the original
route but we probably had to follow the alternative road. Although we followed the route we even
neede the help of the police to find right way. The signs were gone or never been placed.
With the help of some people and a small map of the police we eventually good find the right way. At
the crossing of the A66 also the signs appeared again. Along the river Tees we entered Middlesbrough.
A very busy city. We had to walk a while until we found a shop where we good keep an eye on
our bikes while we were drinking some coffee. After the coffee we cycled to the direction
of Brookfield.
It looked if we were in Leerdam, a city of Holland wellknown because of the glass industry. What a
glass, but thrown to pieces on the cyclepath by the local youth. Kilometres. At a little tunnel we
even dismounted to walk carefully past the glass.
(next)
|
Besides some signs were missing and a number of the signs pointed to the wrong way.
Of Thornton we enjoyed the scenary of the landscape. Amazing. When we arrived in Swainby we had to
face a surprise. We couldn't find the camping. A very nice gentlemen confirmed our supposition, but
he wanted to help us very much. First he phoned a local farmed. But the farmed didn't answer the
telephone.
Then he proposed us to stay night in the Community house of which he owned the key. That night
we slept on the stage of this formerly elder menshouse. In 1919 this house has been given to the
people of Swainby by someone in memorance of his daughter.
Great! What a hospitality.
In the evening we walked in the neighbourhoud for more than an hour. During this walk we visited an
old ruin. A formerly castle build in 1323 by Edward II. We also visited on old church, build during
the middleages. What we noticed was the ages of the people buried on the cemetry. 80 was not a
exception but regular.
During this walk we passed a farm where a couple of caravans stood. Perhaps was this farm the camping
site we were looking for.
|
Swainby to Easingwold, 62 km
During the walk through the surrounding of Swainby we saw the beautiful country side of Swainby,
besides the friendly man out of the village almost pressed us we decided to cycle a part of the
route through the hills
in stead of follow a flatter route, via Norhallerton towards Thirsk.
Just outside Swainby we had to start climbing. 20% climb. We had to walk again, but it was worthwhile.
What a views. The descent to Osmotherley where we passed the magnificence Cod Beck Reservoir was great.
After eating a sandwich, with cheese cutted to big pieces instead of slices in the local grocery shop,
we decided to go even further in to the hills. The climb to Osmotherley Moor was breathtaking,
but the landscapes were breathtaking too.
What a wonderfull area and what a views.
Through the woods of Over Silten Moor we cycled along Nether Silton, Knayton and with a strong climb
to Upsall into the direction of the city of Thirsk.
(next)
|
According to our plans, we should put up our tent on the race course of Thirsk, but we already left
from Swainby instead of Middlesbrough we decided to go to Easingwold. In Thirsk, we first visited
the James Herriot visitors centre. This museum is established in the former house of the real
James Herriot, namely James Alf Wight. A small but nice museum. In the museum we saw some pictures
made in the arrea where we cycled earyly in the morning.
The tea, coffee and the tunny sandwidches is the lovely furnished tearoom on the marketplace tasted
very gooed.
The route from Thirsk to Easingwold was almost flat, lovely. Far away we good see the
White Horse
on the flanks of Hambleton Hills.
In Easingwold we had to surch for a while to the simple but clean camping. The lady of the information
centre of Easyingwold send us through, she never had heard of the camping we looked for.
Inspite of her advice we went looking and we found it.
Today is was heavy, but really magnificent.
|
Easingwold to York, 40 km
Because the extra cycling day we had to do a small trip today. Just 40 km. After a warm
shower, we started with a flat tyre already on the camping. Probably a thorn, came into the
tyre when we went through the fences walking to another field on the camping.
After this delay we first cycled along a busy street back to Easingwold. After we crossed
the A19 the route went through a rural area. Very quiet, a little wind in our faces.
On this route to York, we passed the first nicely looking houses. Just before Beningbrough
we passed Beningbrough Hall a nice building, with a parc, restaurant, etc. But unfortunally
closed on friday.
We drank our coffee of that morning just a bit further in the old station of Shipton, which is
rebuilded to a hotel..
(next)
|
Real funny. Chairs from the first class carriage. Signs of trains and of stations everywhere.
Modeltrains. The counter was made of an old tender.
The quests had to sleep and dine in old carriages. Very remarkable.
The route was well signed. In the centre of York there is a camping sited, with a small field for
small tents. Close to the centre of Yorkm on rougly 20 minutes walk distance. The camping is
expensive but the sanitary is excellent.
In the afternoon we walked through the busy but nice centre of York and we got a first impression
of the York Minster. This promissed a lot for the next morning when we wanted to visit the Minster
and the York Museum.
We had a wonderfull diner in the Black Roman. For the rest there are a lot of wanderers in York.
|
York
Today we visited York centre. York has a very touristic an busy centre with most charming houses
in the rather good preserved middleage streets.
In the morning we visited the York Castle museum.
This museum is suited in the castle which was already build in 1200. First it was build of
wood later is has been build of sandstone.
The museum has al kinds of showrooms and rebuild streets of York (with carriages, shops,
a firedepartment with al kind of material, etc), a weapon section with swords, armour of knights,
etc. Als the live of Enlish families from 1900 until the 70's were shown. Clothing, houses and
a special part about the live during the second worldwar can be seen.
The museum has a lot to offer and nice to visit.
(next)
|
The centre of York has a great amount, of shops, souvenir shops, knick-knack shops, shops with
al kind of bears and coffee and tearooms, bars and restaurants. Even about some juwelries tearooms
can be found.
You don't have to suffer of thirst of hungre, but you need a well stuffed wallet. Although
the prices of a 'Large Coffee' were alright.
In the afternoon we we to visit the York Minster. My chin was hanging on my knees. What a
impressive building.
Everything, but I mean Everything is decorated, gilded or curled. The most magnificent glas in
lead windows are in the enourmous walls. When you look up in the middlesection you will
feel yourself spinny.
In the church there is also a astronomic clock and in one corner of the church is dedicated to
all the heros of York who died in several wars. Theirs names are written down in a really
gigantic book.
I would like to advice a follow a tour. Sometimes we heard some nice stories we we passed
a group.
|
York to Ellerker/Market Rasen, 142 km
|
The day started well. Just behind York we passed the horse race track. There were standing
hundreds of tents and campers. Probably a mountainbike meating, at every tent or camper there
stood a number of mountain bikes.
The cyclepath went straight over the racecourse.
From the the A64 we drove on a cyclepath. With the wind from the side in our back it
went just well. Along the cyclepath models of planets were placed. This is part of a millennium
project. The routes of NCN are also part of a millenium project, namely to promote cycling
in England.
With a nice speed we drove to Selby. There we entered the centre to pin some monney. On
a bank before the local Minstre we ate some bread.
The route from Selby to Howden passed some queiet countryroads. In Howden we ordered a cup
of coffee at a teamroom. It became a whole pot of coffee. From Laxtion we went fast the
blew hard in our back. We arrived in Ellerker very soon. A misgiving came out. There was no
camping. The camper shop next to the farm had been marked as camping. So the farm next to
the shop was on the map as a camping site but that was wrong.
Because of the fast trip we became reckless and because of the idea that the next part of
the trip should be rather flat we decided to go to Market Rasen. Our target for the next
day.
(next)
|
Afterall it wasn't a good decision. The way to Hull was heavy. Besides in Hull we cycled to
far because we cycled to fast downwards a hill. We had to cycle back for a while. A friendly
person helped us to get back on the right road. Later he had followed us in his car to check
out whether we went right. Great.
The Humber Bridge was an experience. What a gigantic bridge and how high you cycle above the
water. Barton the city on the other side of the bridge look very poor. There we made our
second mistake of that day, we didn't go to look at the camping. Because of the poor sight
of Burnham we had the impression that the camping had to be poor too and we cycled further.
Besides the way from Burnham to Beelsby was much more hilly than we expected.
We had to cycle hill up and down constantly with the wind blowing in our faces. We even
had to cycle over a country road, with a length of more than 5 km, it was very heavy.
From Thoresway to Stone farm on top of The Wolds we had to walk. In to the direction of
Walesby we went down the hill very fast.
The camping just before Market Rasen is called
Walesby Grange and is very clean.
What a day. More than 140 km was to much. The English people are very friendly. When ask
for the road they want to help you. Sometimes they offer their help when you are only
looking on your roadmap.
We didn't make much pictures today, we were to tired. To bad. Today we saw the first biker
with lugage.
|
Market Rasen to Woodhall Spa, 70 km
Cold, cold it was so cold last night. We didn't sleep well last night. It appeared that
our sleeping bags were not good enough against the cold. At least we good take a hot shower.
After we packed we left for the direction of Woodhall Spa, where a camping site had to be.
Thats what the owner of the camping told us.
The route went through an area with some hills, with a lot of landed estates along a very
busy road. But the English make good allowance for us. The pass with enough distance and only
when it is possible.
Today we passed some railway crossings, where gate-keepers had to open and close the level
crossing. At one crossing the level crossing had to be opened for us.
On our way to Lincoln we had the wind against and after the heavy effort of yesterday we
felt our legs protest.
In Lincoln we passed a very large supermarket, where we did our shopping. In the coffee corner
of the supermarket we drank a nice cup of coffee.
(next)
|
The centre of Lincold is very nice. It looks a bit like York, old streets, shops, a nice
Minster and a castle, but smaller and less touristic.
After a short walk through the city we went for Woodhall Spa. In Fiskerton we ate
the tastefull bread which we bought in the supermarket.
The rural route became very busy after Bardney, but it was well done. From Lincoln we
had some wind in our back, that made cycling a bit easier.
In Bucknall
we sat on a bench eating some cattlecooks (a good idea, Marieke)
The promissed alternative route along River Widham was not ready. In Woodhall Spa
a nice person advised us to go to Kirby Moor, there is a nice camping site. On this
camping
we met the nice gentlemen again. And we met nice couple from New Sealand. They are
travelling through Europe for twee and a half years. The New Sealand guy looked with
open mouth while we were putting up our tent and unpacking our bags.
|
Woodhall Spa to Fleet Hargate/Long Sutton
After again a cold night we first took a hot shower. While we were breaking up our tent and
stuffing our bags the New Sealand guy was looking with great astonishment. He sayed: "it looks
like magic". Expecially yesterday he looked with large eyes.
After saying goodbuy to the New Sealanders we left. The day started a bit grey and cold buy
dry.
The way to Boston let us along kilometres of long country road with al kind of
agriculture, barley, oats, rye, potatoes, but strange enough no maize.
Boston didn't like nice. The city looked a bit grubby, aswell as the tearoom where the
coffee was good and not expensive. In Boston the boats were on the side. The river has
an open connection to te sea, so the influence of ebb and flood can be seen.
Out of the centre we good do some shopping.
(next)
|
Between Boston and Fosyke Bridge we cycled along wide agriculture fields with barley and
especially here a lot of potatoe fields.
The passage of the Fosdyke Bridge wasn't as bad as had been written in the route description.
The 500 yards behind the bridge were much more difficult, luckeley we drove on the good
side of the road. The other side was much busier. From Fosdyke Bridge to Holbeach
we drove through rural area again. Sometimes we had the idea we were in Holland in
Friesland or in the polders of Assendelft.
From Holbeach to the camping was not that far. The camping site in Fleet Hargate is
quiet, clean and has a very friendly lady camping owner. In the afternoon is became warmer
at last. Perhaps the night won't be so cold.
|
Fleet Hargate to Castle Rising
Tonight it was cold again. At 5:00 o'clock during a visit to the toilet, it was only
5 degrees, no wonder we were that cold.
We started prosperous. The wind was varying. The extensive landscape made remind us to
our Dutch polders. It surprised us how old some houses in England are. We several times
passed houses built in 1850 looking as if they were built in the mid 60's. Today
we passed the first nice cottage with a thatched roof and a nice garden. We expected
to see more cottages.
We have seen a number of poor houses and a lot of waste.
Wisbech is a nice little town, where we walked through. It has a couple of small streets
with shops. The first tearoom wasn't quite neat. Later at a baker we took another cup
of coffee and we bought some bread.
Today we were not luckey. 3 Museums were either closed, or the birds of prey would
fly on 12:00 o'clock.
(next)
|
From Wisbeck where the route was nicely signed, we drove back to the country roads again.
The wind blew in our backs.
Before Kings Lynn the rural country side changed into industry. In Kings Lynn we did our
shopping of that day. A bit too early as it appeared 50 yards later. There was a nice and
large supermarkte. It is a nice town with some nice old buildings.
From Kings Lynn to our camping was about 13 kilometres. The way was well signed again. The
route through North Wootton, did follow the road map, but thanks to the signs that was no
problem at all. Because of the woods the view became a bit friendlier.
Castle Rising, whick we passed, has a nice chapel and a ruin of a castle.
The camping is large with a woody view. The tents and caravans are spread al over.
Tonight we will walk to Sandringham Castle, which we will visit tomorrow. We could see
Sandringham Castle, but we good see the belonging church "The Church of St Mary Magdalene".
Unfortenally the magnificent church was closed.
|
Sandringham Castle
This morning we first cycled to Kings Lynn to do some shopping, a ride of 27km. Afterwards
we walked to Sandringham Castle. A walk of 20 minutes. First we drank a cup of coffee in the
visitors centre. After paying the entrance money we walked through the parc towards the
castle.
You can't say that the outside of the castle is beautiful, but the inside is more than that.
The apartments we could visit were very well maintained. The royal family likes hunting. No
doubt about that. On many walls hang all kinds of armoury. From swords and harberds to the
nicest rifles. All very neat and tastefully exhibited.
In a hallway and hall a lot of show cases with a countless rifles.
Two rifles had a butt made of a rhinoceros nose. You good say that the
dining room was very nice.
It was a surprise we good see 15 water colour paintings of Rien Poortvliet. Rien Poorvliet
was a guest of the roayal family for a while in the end of the 70's.
By the way, the royal family does live in Sandringham Castle during the winter period.
(next)
|
The museum of Sandring Castle is nice. About 10 beautiful cars were exhibited. The very first
bought Daimler until a very beautiful car, made with an woodden coach work, being used
during the hunt.
The childrens cars, drive by the princes, really worked. Even the
James Bond Aston Martin was rebuild and capable of making a smoke curtain.
The gardens of the castle has been made in a landscape style and are very beautiful.
"The Church of St Mary Magdalene", in the present of the castle is really magnificent.
The complete altar and a great part of the pulpit, are made of silver. The roof has been
decorated whith the most beautiful paintings, richly decorated with gold leaves.
I now realised why the church was closed the previous evening.
In the parc next to Sandringham Castle a horse festival was going on. Dozens of coaches
where riding on and of. Close to the church a team of horses was practising.
In the afternoon we could enjoy the lovely sun, much better then the cold weather in
the morning.
|
Castle Rising to Fakenham, 63 km
|
Today we started early. Before 8 o'clock we were already on our bikes. We started with
a lovely sun, but the wind was a bit chilly. Just after the camping we had to hit the
pedals. The today's route has a lot of slopes, with a hard climb so now and then.
The first kilometres went through Sandringham Country Park
soon followed by a beautiful landscape. Agriculture, woods, very varying. The surrounding
looks very friendly. The houses are getting more beautiful. In Ringstead we sat before the
wall of a very nice house, eating some of the linseed cakes (breakfast in a bar). The
13km almost straight road to Burnham Market went through a slopy landscape and we had
to climb hard sometimes.
In the small, nice town, we had to look for a while, but eventually we could drink a cup
of coffee in a hotel. When I wanted to pay the second cup it wasn't necessary. We only
had to pay for the first cup. When I said: 'In that case we will be here tonight', they
looked a bit strange.
A bit further we passed the enourmous Holkham Park, unfortunately it isn't allowed to
cycle through the parc. The people of NCN are trying to get a permit.
We wanted to visit Wells-next-the-Sea, but because of the very poor cycle path we went
on. Here we passed on the worst cyclepaths of this holiday.
(next)
|
In Wighton a bit further of Wells-next-the-Sea we passed a little town, there we saw the
very first house whiche reminded us to the many pictures of cottages during the preparation
of our trip.
In Little Walsingham we visited a small museum. This museum consists of an old courtroom
and the former Abbey. Not spectaculair, but it was nice to see the old pictures of people
in Little Walsingham.
The road was very beautiful, Along a slopy and windy valley. It was a pitty it was so cold.
In Fakenham we did our shopping. Ofcourse on the other side of the town then our camping was.
The camping is on a Horse racing track. The tents, campers and caravans are standing before
the stand, on the grounds or along the track. In the middle of the track you could golf.
The showers are wonderful, although I had to fight the shower hose, when I started the
massagejet.
|
Fakenham to Bungay, 89 km
At roughly 8 o'clock we left the Racecourse. Alan the Englishmen, ever been cycling in
Eppeldorn and Velkenberg, was already sitting behind his caravan.
The first part of the road was very busy, but soon we entered the country roads. What we
noticed was the number of rabbits along the roads, driven to death. We have counted more then
20 dead rabbits.
The landscape is really beautiful, the small towns look very friendly. After 12 km
we passed a watermill at Guistmill, the surrounding overthere was very nice.
The climb just behind the Mill was heavy, but the view was brilliant.
From Themelthorpe we took the cyclepath. This path would take us, with a small piece of
town, to Norwich 32 km further.
I think this is the longest cycle path we ever road.
This Marriots Way
named after the engineer who builded this railway wasn't in a good shape until Reepham. But it
brought us to the former railway station of Reepham, where we could drink a cump of coffee,
in the tearoom.
(next)
|
Just outside Reepham the cyclepath almost went straight to the centre of Norwich. The path
was in a slight descent and in good shape so it cycled very well. It was a bit pitty that
the amount of trees took away the view from the surrounding area.
Norwich is a beautiful town with a lot of visibilities and for the first time on this
holiday with terraces. On one of the terraces we ate a tastefull piece of bread.
The route from Norwich to Bungay is also beautiful, beside a small piece of cyclepath which
was in poor shape. The route meanders along the banks of the river Yare, so we imagined as if
we were along the Donau again.
After Norwich we were trouble by the wind more and more. And we also had to climb some
steep hills. One of the hills had an 17% rise. The little town of Bungay looks nice. The
camping, simple, but enough especially after this fatique day. In the evening we at last
could enjoy the sun until half past nine.
|
Bungay to Framlingham/Brandeston, 67 km
In Bungay we had to look for the rout, but after a little mistake, we found it back again
very soon. The route meanders until Beccles along a little river. At Beccles
the route turned a 90° towards Halesworth.
Today the hard wind troubled us again. Besides we cycled through a slopy, although
beautiful countryside, but with some steep climbs so no and then.
In Halesworth we drank a cup of coffee. Becaus of a fancy fair we had to walk here for
a short while. In this area you must be very careful. The signs are or gone or are pointing,
probably thanks to the youth, to the wrong way.
Just before Peasenhall we cycled wrong, but it didn't bothered us very much. The route
came out just fine and luckaly we cycled through a nice countryside with some hills.
(next)
|
Towards Framlingham we passed two vineyards, which we didn't pay a visit.
Wel hebben we een bezoek gebracht aan de ruďnes van kasteel Framlingham. Hier konden
we bovenop de nog bestaande kasteelmuren ons even Ivanhoe wanen.
In a local Inn we enjoyed a lovely meal. After diner we left. Because of all the turning in
Framlingham I was lost the road, but with the help of two friendly gentlemen, it all went
well. In Brandeston, four kilometres after Framling, we have put up our tent at a local
café. No shower, but we'll manage. Probably the camping owner will stop next year, and that
not too bad. The camping ain't neat. The toilets are beeing used by the inn visiters. We are
alone now. Everybody (two caravans) are back to home. A nice lady made some coffee for us.
|
Framlingham to East Bergholt, 61 km
Inspite of the good advices of Trineke, our neighbour back home, and we ordered nice weather
we started with rain. We could pack our tent just a bit dry, but after that it was bad.
Rain and wind. The wind has troubled us very much this year.
This afternoon when the weather cleared for a while and we were able te cycle a couple of
kilometres in the shelter of some hedges, we both had the same feeling: this had to be all
the holiday, but alas.
The route brought us through wonderfull pieces of nature again, but we couldn't enjoy it.
In Woodbridge, a small place, an old lady asked us: 'are you lost', but when I told her that
we were looking for a supermarket and if possible a large one, her surprised reaction was:
'In Woodbridge?'. Great, what a nice woman.
(next)
|
But she pointed us to a small shoppingcentre. There we found a supermarket, more than
satisfying. Besides, in the shoppingcentre we found a bookstore where we good sit and drink
a cup of coffee.
After Little Bealings the weather cleared.
The passage of Ipswich went right, because of the signs. From Bramford we didn't follow the
official route, but we followed another route, so we could cycle more direct to the camping.
In the beginning it was busy, but the next comping countryroad was quiet, even nice. But it
wasn't nice that the countryroad run dead on the A12, so we had to go round for 3 extra
kilometres.
The camping is very neat, there are nice flowers along the pitch. Yesterday we camped at the
Queens Head Inn, today we passed the Kings Head Inn and a bit further the Admirals Head Inn.
A lot of imagination.
Tomorrow we will ride the last long day in England.
|
East Bergholt to Bradfield, 69 km
We could choose out of two possibilities, first we could pick up the original route or cycle
cirectly to Harwich, where we should camp in Ramsey.
We decided to take the original 52 kilometres long route, which would take us through
Colchester and Wivenhoe.
After the busy B1070, the route from the camping site, we arrived in a nice area. The road
turned for a while, it was a bit sloopy, but it wasn't hard to do. Although the climb at
Layham was rather tough.
The route trough High Woods a suburb of Colchester was perfectly signed. Also in Colchester
it was well done (except for one place in the parc).
Colchester is a rather larger town with a lot of shops. At a French Café we drank some
coffee and ofcourse a 'croissant'. At Marks & Spencer we did our shopping.
(next)
|
The route to Wivenhoe follows the river Colne. Gerda, a bit reckless, slipped in a
corner. The path was going down a bit and the surface was a bit rough.
She hurt her leg and she offended her pride, but it stayed by that.
In spite of the little city roadmap we got lost in Wivenhoe, but a friendly gentlemen,
showed us the right direction. With the wind in our back and temperature rising it finally
felt pleasant. We cycled rather fast to Ramsey where the camping had to be.
Well, the camping was there. But what a scandal. The pith had a slope of more than 15%. And
the only toilet and shower were very dirty and smelled.
We then cycled to the direction of Bradfield. 8 Kilometres of hills, but in Bradfield
there was a camping at an local Inn. But now we had to cycle not 5 but more than 13 kilometres
to Harwich.
In the evening we drank some coffee at the bar.
|
Bradfield to Beverwijk
|
It rained all night. At 6 o'clock it stopped. While we were already awake we put up our
gear, broke down the tent, and put the luggage on our bikes. With the wind in our back and
with some threatening clouds in the sky we 'flew' to Harwich. Therefore we arrived very
soon in Harwich, but at least we were dry. We could wait in the waitingrooms instead of
waiting in our tent.
The journey from Harwich to Hoek of Holland, went prosperous. Unfortenately we could see
a lot because of the very bad weather. .
(next)
|
After four hours, where we passed a slower ferry and we could see the difference in
speed we arrived in Hoek of Holland. Betwee the cars we cycled out of the ferry.
It was rather late and it rained very hard. So we decided to take the train back home.
We had to change trains for two times and in Leiden we couln't take the fast train. We had
no time enough te switch to the fast train.
At six o'clock we were back again and we ended our holiday.
Our tires, continental's (marathon), which I assembled on our 'koga miyata's (adventure)'
had done it very well. Just one flat tire on more than 2000 kilometres.
|
Thanks
|
I would like to thank all the English people who have helped us in England, finding
supermarkets, campings, or who helped us when we were lost or in doubt and for being so
kindly on the road.
Especially I would like
to thank the people in Swainby who let us sleep in the Community House.
|
Links
fietsvakantie winkel in woerden
National Cycle Network
sustrans route kaarten
James Herriot visitors centre
Viking Jorvik
Sandringham Castle
Stena Line
DFDS Seaways
reisverhalen.pagina.nl
reisverhalen van Frank de Neling en Dagmar Hekelaar
reisverhalen van Clara Dubber en Jan Bruin
koga miyata
Informatie
copyright©: Theo Kroon
famthkroon@zonnet.nl
laatste wijziging: 24 februari 2003
