Norfolk - Boats, Trains & Seaside with Netty, Jackie & Dan

Norfolk - Boats, Trains & Seaside

It was off to Ludham where we met the captain to explore the 200 miles of the Norfolk Broads on the Bee Motor Cruiser. We soon all made ourselves comfortable whilst we listened to the captain tell us the history of the broads and he pointed out all the wildlife along the way. The broads were very busy today with lots of boats that had come out in the sunshine, and we waved at all of them as we passed. On the way back it was our turn to put on our captain’s hat as we each got a turn to drive the boat. Everyone agreed that we would make great crew members! 

We were lucky enough to find out this week was the vintage week at the station, and we bought tickets to ride on the Victorian steam train which was 200 years old!! We were able to look around the model railway which had been built and displays the town of Broad Sidlinch, a fictional place featured in Hardy’s short story ‘The Grave’. We also managed to look around the William Marriott museum, which tells the story of the Midland and Great Northern joint railway which has beautiful, preserved exhibits. Soon it was time to board our carriage and we all relaxed in our seats as the train chugged down the tracks with pillows of steam passing our windows as we passed through Weybourne and arrived at the coastal town of Sheringham. 

Another exciting day on the broads was in order and today we set sail aboard a sailing boat called Simba and as we left the estuary, it opened up into a vast open space where we lifted the sails and rode the winds around the Barton broad. Here we were able to see nesting swans and other interesting wildlife and wave to the boats passing by. It was then our turn to take to the helm and steer the boat into the winds and enjoyed the calmness that surrounded us for two hours. 

It was game on down at the bowling alley and the competition was fierce! At points it was too close to call and there were some great strikes! 

It was off to the seafront before heading to the famous Hippodrome circus which is one of the few remaining purpose-built circus buildings in the UK. We sat as a myriad of world class performers, awe inspiring acrobatics, and then for the grand finale the floor dropped, and the circus ring became a water spectacular with synchronised swimmers performing to the music whilst on a podium in the centre of the pool. 

At Holt station we took a stroll down to the Signals Cottage. This was living accommodation made out of a surplus of carriages from the First World War. The carriages provided cheap housing for many families, and this showed what it would have been like in the close quarters of a railway cottage during the mid-1930’s.