At The Valley.

Second photo of the year and day 2 of RED January, a run out of town and a few miles on the trails, all just before dark.

Last night was a spot of wild camping at Brandon Country Park. It went well for the following reasons:

• The park is massive so it was easy to cycle to the far side and set up with no-one around.
• Lovely mossy spongy ground – meant for a very comfy night.
• It was a very quiet night – except for some animal’s loud growl that echoed through the forest for an hour at dusk – had a good night’s sleep.

Woke up at just after 7am, plenty of time to have coffee, pack up and head to the Parkrun start.

Brandon Country Park Parkrun is a great course: 2 laps through the forest. Took it pretty steady considering I had a big ride ahead of me.

After Parkrun I headed to the cafe for a bit of a chat with some of the volunteers and breakfast.

Today was always going to be a tough ride, it was a long ride home even without any dramas. But throw in the head wind that I had to battle (again) and it was doubly tough.

Took a few pictures, but really toward was all about pedalling and going forward.

I did stop at a pub for a lovely burger and beer to refuel.

Also at one stage the cycle route took me down a dodgy looking trail, fine when you’re on a bike without all the gear. This was a struggle.

Finally made it home. It was a great trip: 295 miles in all. I’ve learnt so much about cycle touring (but I’ll save that for another day).

Cushty.

Had a more relaxing start to the day today, well I had just had a good night’s kip in a bed, followed by sitting on a sofa and eating cereal. I’m very happy my brother-in-law lives in Norfolk.

So I wasn’t on the road until gone 9am. The plan today was to head to Norwich for a little look – I’ve never been Norwich before – actually wasn’t that much to see. Didn’t hang about for long.

Coming out of Norwich and I was back on a lovely cycle route out of town. In fact, I got all the way to Wymondham on it. The only issue today was the head wind, it was bloody hard work, you don’t seem to get any rest, it’s just constant pedalling.

The head wind didn’t let up, I was battling it all the way to Thetford. The A11 goes from Norwich to Thetford, but it is a stupidly fast busy road so I stuck to the country lanes. Which is great, except it took so much longer because I had to keep stopping to check the map on the phone that I was still heading in the right direction.

Came across the usual lovely looking churches in the middle of nowhere.

Finally made it to Thetford. Tonight’s plan was always going to be a spot of wild camping in Thetford Forest. Then up for Parkrun in the morning. There are two Parkruns in Thetford, so as I had a bit of time spare before finding a spot to camp (you have to wait for the right moment) I carried on through Thetford to Brandon. They have a Parkrun at Brandon Country Park, just on the edge of the Thetford Forest.

Found a lovely spot.

It was 55 hard miles in total today. That leaves me 60 odd miles to get back home. So that’s the plan: Parkrun in the morning and then on the road by 10am to go home. Very much looking forward to kipping in my own bed!

The day began with blue skies, wispy clouds, a lovely summer morning. This was short lived.

I was up, packed and on the road for 8.30am. The weather forecast said light rain from 9am, so thought I’d get a bit of a head start, with breakfast somewhere on the way.

Made it just out of Cromer before it started drizzling with rain, this soon changed to light rain, and at time heavy rain. I was following National Cycle Route 30 – so was constantly on the hunt for the blue ’30’ signs. At one stage, in the rain, I got to junction and there wasn’t any blue signs. Left was ‘Hungry Hill’, right was a lovely looking tree lined lane. My sense of direction suggested left, but ‘Hungry Hill’ did not sound inviting. Headed right. About half a mile down the road I spotted a ’30’. Nice. Note to self: never rely on my sense of direction.

Spot the sign – I only just did.

I was also riding on designated ‘quiet roads’, at times they were barely roads.

I took a bit of a detour to Happisburgh to see the lighthouse and the site of a mass grave of 119 seamen of HMS Invincible, one of Lord Nelson’s ships, which went down in 1801.

The problem of taking a detour is remembering the way back to the route. After a couple of wrong turns and a distinct lack of ’30’ signs, I somehow, by luck more than judgement, got back on track.

I stopped for lunch at a pub on route, can’t remember the name…oh…yes…I do…. ‘The Overpriced Arms’. Had a cheese and pickle baguette and coffee costing a million pounds. So took advantage of the wi-fi and their hospitality by staying until the rain eased up.

By the time I got to Caister the rain had stopped and the sun was attempting to break through. I also discovered a Roman Fort.

Another dozen or so miles further round the coast and I finally came to Great Yarmouth. This is as far that I’m going round the coast, tomorrow it will be a visit to Norwich and the long journey home.

I had also pre-booked a room for tonight – my brother-in-law, Kev, lives on the Norfolk Broads – so that just left a short journey in land. I say short journey, but by the time I avoided some dual carriage ways and other massive roads, it wasn’t until 7pm before I got there.

A massive 62 miles today – wet and windy for most of the day. So I had earned a shower, coffee, dinner and beer when I got there. East Coast IPA to celebrate.