I was out with my friends Rebecca and Stuart to Norfolk. Our last road trip there was just before the 1st lockdown EEK! I think we can all remember wandering around Waitrose on the way back in shock at the devastation to the toilet roll aisle!!!
Now Rebecca is not the promptest at leaving and so we swapped our breakfast spot to a costa.....
My parents ashes were scattered in Norfolk. Stuart has grown some marigolds and kindly planted one for me at the spot they were scattered. My Dad is probably muttering what a bunch of idiots!! Mum probably would think it was a nice thought if eccentric.
So our first stop was the gardens at Sandringham. Now we always parked on this avenue, my folks loved it but alas you can no longer do so and you now have to pay for parking. I get why, I understand it but but but it is a part of my childhood that has gone. You get your parking back id you visit the house and gardens but not if you are using the HHA scheme. Hey and ho ;)
So the gardens
Sandringham is the Queens summer residence. I wander if Prince Charles will consider the tradition? Especially as Highgrove has been his home for so long!
I will say the staff at Sandringham are so friendly. Many private houses are stuffy and formal, not here they are so welcoming.
Rebecca took one look at these and deviated off.... ROTFLMAO
The lunch options were limited as were the tables so we headed off to a pub.
I had a nice burger
Then on to Castle Acre Priory. We had intended to visit the pub in Castle Acre but an internet search had told us it was closed.
Given I was nice about the Sandringham staff I ought to say the young lady from EH on duty was very friendly and welcoming too.
Castle Acre is a Cluniac priory founded by William de Warrene in 1089. Today it is owned by the Coke's of Holkham hall fame and managed by English Heritage.
In March 2020 there was scaffold up.
It always amazes me how plants seem to grow in stone.
A nice day. I need to visit the art exhibit at Houghton Hall and the abbey at Walsingham (never been). Oh and visit Waitrose in Swaffham to get a Norfolk wine!!
