Norfolk.

On a visit south of the border there is one thing that I noticed more than anything else ‘Union Jack Flags’ which seem to have sprouted like weeds, perhaps its because the Little Englanders have got their country back? They were everywhere; the English appear to be obsessed with a symbol that represents there imagined superiority along with their small mindedness and bigotry.

The countryside around the Kings Lynn area where we were based is very flat and extremely boring. The fields are full of vegetables with very little in the way of beasts! But there are one or two places to visit even if your stay is quite short and the main reason you travelled down in the first place was to see old friends.

Burnham Thorpe.

The Lord Nelson.

Our first visit was a small rather snobbish English middle class village called Bircham Newton where 4 cups of coffee will set you back just over 14 quid! But strangely you could get a copy of The Morning Star in the local Post Office! From there we went to Burnham Thorpe for a three-mile walk before lunch in the local pub. It was called the Lord Nelson because of its association with the seafaring Lord. He was born in the village and his father was the rector of the local church. The pub was built in 1637 and was originally called The Plough that was until 1798 when the name was changed to honour Nelson's victory at the Battle of the Nile.

Heachem Sea Shore.

Following a lunch of well-filled sandwiches we went to Heachem a quiet seaside resort situated beside the Wash, which has a vast array of colourful beach huts for hire. Along with a nice walk along the front there's an amusement arcade and a cafe that sells a grand selection of ice creams.

Cliff Top Gardens Hunstanton.

Reddish Limestone Striped Cliff.

The following day a very different type of seaside resort appeared on our itinerary. Hunstanton is what I would describe as a traditional English 'kiss-me-quick' seaside location, the type you would not find anywhere else in the world. A classic 19th century holiday resort 'for all the family' with plenty to do with its fairground, aquarium and seal sanctuary, leisure pool, theatre, a number of amusement arcades and a long promenade all accompanied by the proverbial Bingo soundtrack.  In good weather boats carry tourists out to view grey seals that have colonised sand bars in the Wash. There are also some cracking award winning gardens a top of the towns reddish limestone striped cliff  and should be seen as a credit to the local authority and its Parks Department.

Ely Cathedral. 

Our final visit before heading back north was to the cathedral city of Ely, Cambridgeshire. Built on the highest land in the Fens it boasts a gothic looking Cathedral that can be seen on the skyline for miles around. Founded as an Abbey in AD 673 with construction of the Cathedral starting in 1083 and restored in the 19^th century.  A busy wee town with a market, some decent shops and various coffee outlets including a rather nice one in the Cathedral grounds. Plenty of history to explore locally, if you have the time and inclination.

and a decent coffee garden.