JollyDays Supported Holidays: April 2011

After arriving in Norfolk we spent our first day having lunch at a lovely country pub on the Broads and we then went for a ride on a motor boat around many of the rivers that were situated close to our accommodation.

For the next 2 days we spent lots of time on the Broads either exploring the rivers in a rowing boat, learning to sail for the first time or just relaxing on a narrow boat that took us out for the day, just stopping at lunch-time for us to again have another pub lunch!!!

We were so lucky with the weather, as we have been so many times, that we spent all week out enjoying the beautiful country side. When we were not on the river we were off to Holt, enjoying a Steam Train ride to the coast.

Those who chose not to participate in the rowing or sailing were still very much involved with the experience as they were given rides on the motor boats.

The evenings were taken up with Tenpin bowling, a pool competition, amusements and a trip into Norwich for a lovely meal at an Italian restaurant.

On our way home we stopped of at Aldeburgh for a traditional fish & chip lunch followed by ice-creams all round.

Everyone had a great time and we were all sorry to have to return home at the end of the week.

One of the many picturesque views on the Broads...

Andy outside our accommodation...

Rowing out to the Broads...

Checking out the sails...

Time to relax...

Ted - our Captain - takes a rest...

Andy practices his trick-shots...

All Aboard!

Jim takes over as driver...

Danny and Michael wait for the Steam Train...

Danny checks out his fish & chips...

Everyone enjoys the weather...

Mikey's happy with his ice-cream...

Derek helps Danny go for a strike...

Andrew concentrates at the bowling...

John takes in the views in Aldeburgh...

Our journey led us to our beautiful cottage on a working farm close to the moors in Yorkshire.
We headed off to Aidensfield (Heart Beat) for a look around the village store, saw the garage and the pub and then had a wander around the station and watched the steam trains heading off on their own journeys. We then headed for Whitby, where we saw people dressed up in their finery from days gone by. We had a fish & chip dinner ...it was cooked in beef dripping yummy! Off home to our cottage for a rest watching some tv in front of an open hearth fire.
We woke to a breakfast of cereal and a full cooked breakfast to give us the energy for another long day. We headed for Holmfirth (Last of Summer Wine). Along the way we marvelled at the wonderful countryside and counted ourselves very lucky to be in such lovely country. Sid’s cafe was our first stop. You could just imagine the characters popping in for a cuppa! Off we trekked to see the cottage where Compo and Nora Batty lived. Next, we drove to the church where Bill Owen (Compo) was buried and visited his resting place....God bless Bill. On the way home we stopped at the canal at Marsden. Once home it was get the roast dinner in the oven and time to relax for another interesting day tomorrow.
Sunday took us to Ripley for a wander and one of their “world famous ice creams”. Off to Harrogate, which is really beautiful and obviously a very prosperous town in the Victorian days. It has a sulphur bath which was very popular back then. We stopped in the lovely valley park for our picnic and a walk through the gardens. We decided to take the extremely beautiful way home, going through the North Yorkshire moors and finding yet another fantastic town in Helmsley. We are spoilt by so much beauty in our own country! Back home and it’s time to dress for dinner at a really nice pub.
After another hearty breakfast it was off to Keighley railway museum and on to Esholt (Emmerdale) where we had a walk around the village, visited the church and the “Woolpack” for a drink before setting off to Haworth. Here we visited the church where the Bronte’s were buried. It is a typical Yorkshire village on a hill with cobbled streets.
The next day we drove back to Whitby and climbed aboard the steam train to Pickering. It was exciting to see the billowing clouds of steam. People waved at the platforms as we went by. We passed through Aidensfield again and we took in pretty cottages, streams and sheep. From there we went to York. We went into the cathedral and were lucky enough to listen to a choir at the same time. Walking around the city streets we hit upon Little Betty’s Tea Shop and decided high tea is just what we all needed. The architecture in York is just wonderful and not to be missed.
It is home time, but we don’t want to get home too early, so we planned to stop off in Cambridge for lunch and an ice cream while looking at the beauty of the colleges and the market place.

We all had a wonderful time in Yorkshire and our thanks to Caroline and Janet for being such lovely company.