Three days away in Norfolk. How have I reached my age and not visited the Norfolk Broads before. There are a beautiful and interesting environment. We stayed just 8 miles from Norwich , yet it could have been hundreds of miles from urban life.
The Norfolk Wildlife Trust centre at Hickling takes pride of place. Walkways, hides and a really interesting boat trip on the Hickling Broad, which is the largest in he system. Learned about the Broads origins, the trades that grew up along the Broads, and the lifes of those who worked there.
Wroxham is the commercial centre of the Broads, for most visitors its where you head to hire your vessel. Yes it is a holiday centre, but stays in keeping. Its not tacky but it provides the services that both the local population and tourists need. My knowledge of Wroxham had previously revolved around their non league football club, now I know more of its origins and development. The fact that it has a railway station linking it with Norwich and the rest of the country is hugely significant.
Our final visit was to Barton Broad and here the Broads Authority run a solar powered boat, the Ra, a chance to see birdlife close up, and experience life at 4MPH. What's so pleasing is the respect for the environment shown by those working on the Broads, hopefully that rubs off on the tourists.
We stayed in the village of Coltishall, now lacking local knowledge I wasn't aware that it was once the location of a RAF base (now closed). The village itself by the River Bere, allowed some lovely walks and the Red Lion , a good pub for an evening meal and pints of Wherry Ale.
Norfolk has many attractions, far enough away from London to have an independent culture and approach to life. I'm left with both a desire to return and to experience some days on a boat on the Broads. Putting it on my list of "to do".
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