On the Road Again

Norfolk Stage 07 – Norwich to Halesworth 59 Km (Wed 11 May 2022)

Weather: 7⁰C min – 16⁰C max, light rain

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“Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable” ~ Sydney J. Harris

Setting off at 7:30 am was a brilliant idea because it meant I stayed dry for the first 40 km. Even the last 20 km was only a light drizzle, much better than the forecasters were leading me to expect. Everything about this tour has exceeded expectations.

The route I designed criss-crossed and zig-jagged from Norwich to Halesworth, taking advantage of the network of wonderful lanes and country roads in Norfolk (and Suffolk now that I am in Halesworth). Some of the route followed the official NCN1 cycle route, and at one point the EV12 North Sea Cycle Route.

At the little village of Chedgrave I was surprised to see a Farm Produce shop that had the word “coffee” on its roadside sign. Having ridden 20 km (about a third of my trip) I stopped for a cappuccino and a freshly-baked sausage roll, which I consumed in the adjacent park.

My next surprise was at the nice little town of Beccles where there was a street named Ellwood Close. Google tells me there are a number of Ellwoods in Beccles, including an English teacher Mary Ellwood and a John Ellwood (St. Benet’s Minster Catholic Church is asking for prayers for him because he is sick). There is even a vintage photograph of the new Major of Beccles MRE Ellwood.

Arriving at Halesworth too early to check in at the Corner House, I sheltered from the rain at the Cottage Kitchen delicatessen where a Salt Beef Melt and a cappuccino hit the spot. It looks like a spick and span little town, but I’ll tell you more after I have had a chance to explore (when/if it stops raining).