A VIST TO THE EAST OF ENGLAND 2011

SEPTEMBER 1^st

Mid morning start for Castle Acre, Norfolk, close to Kings Lynn the town where we are due to meet up with the Watts family over the weekend as we have been invited to join the 40^th wedding anniversary celebrations of Keith’s cousin Ron and his wife Jennifer.

On the A15 south of Lincoln we decided to make a detour in search of a village pub for lunch. At crossroads I suggested we turned left avoiding crossing the busy traffic when we rejoined the A15. We seemed to be going on forever, which did not please Keith as the signpost in the opposite direction indicated two villages only a short distance apart. Eventually we turned the bend into a village with the ‘Star and Garter’ in front of us and a large sign outside saying hot and cold food. Parking in the car park we entered the bar where two local men, sitting at separate tables, were enjoying a large plate of pork pie, cold meat and salad. Having ordered and got our drinks we asked about food. “Sorry we don’t do food”. Turning around and looking at the two men who were now grinning at us the landlady went on to say “Oh they brought their own food - I just provided the plates!” However she kindly offered to make us a tuna sandwich. As we sat watching a large flat screen TV tuned in to an International athletics meetingwhen the screen suddenly went blank and the Juke Box by the pool table began to play. The song was Max Bygraves singing “Things aint what they used to be” for those of us who are old enough to remember Max Bygraves. We couldn’t stop our selves from laughing and Keith began to wonder if our car would be a Ford Popular when we returned to the car park. As soon as the tune stopped the TV came back on just in time for us to witness Great Britain win the Country’s first gold medal of the competition.

On leaving the pub we didn’t return to the A15 but meandered through the country lanes of Lincolnshire and beyond until our navigation system guided us down a single track road into the back of the village of Castle Acre. We had no idea where ‘The Ostrich’ pub was but as we turned the corner leading to the village green we spotted the hanging sign.

A very friendly girl showed us to our room which entailed going out of the bar and along the road a few yards and using one of the 2 keys on the key ring that opened the front door leading to a grey painted winding wooden staircase. ‘The Ostrich’ is a 15^th Century flint stone building so on reaching the landing she advised us to watch our heads. Despite the warning as we used the second key to open the bedroom door Keith banged his head on the door frame as he stepped down into the room. Very spacious but no wardrobe for our clothes, but we did have a large mahogany chest of drawers which worked just as well. The toilet was noisy and a sign stated we should not use the bath, shower or loo if there was a power cut as the bathroom would flood, but there were facilities down in the bar!

As it was mid afternoon and lovely sunshine we went for a walk around the village. Going through the ‘Baileygate’ part of the village’s historic attractions we headed down the hill past some colourful cottages in search of the River Nar flowing through the valley. We didn’t actually find a river but whilst standing on a large stone bridge saw pools of clear water in between the overgrown pond weed. Retracing our steps, as we had seen a sign on one cottage wall pointing a way to the Castle, we went to investigate. On a telegraph pole we spotted details of a 35 mile walk along the River Nar passing through villages such as West Acre and East Acre and a wood with a nearby lake. “We could do part of that walk if we have time” I said. There were a few ruins of the Castle among the earthworks, some set on a small hill so we were able to get a view of the surrounding area and part of the village.

Some older teenagers were sat around playing cards whilst other people were exercising their dogs or just, like us, exploring the site.

We studied in information board which included details of some of the wild flowers of the period. These were medieval herbs and still flowering today. We returned to the village green with its painted village sign and continued on to visit St. Peter’s Church with a very usual font.

It was not yet 5pm but back in ‘The Ostrich’ several locals were sitting around the bar and we got talking to an elderly gent called Roger who was a font of knowledge. He said we should be staying across the road at the tea rooms which is run by Maggie Thatcher’s ex bodyguard as it was cheaper! Several destinations were suggested that we should visit during our stay. We booked a table in the restaurant for dinner as there appeared to be no where else to have an evening meal in the village so it was no wonder it was very busy.