Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path National Trail

It has been a real pleasure walking in Suffolk and Norfolk.  I grew up nr Leiston, Suffolk (chronologically at least) and blew the joint in 1998 when I relocated my carcass to Hastings.  When I lived that 1/4 century in Suffolk, I was a moaning little Shite and nagged my long suffering folks constantly about how dull it was - but now in my dotage (late 30's!) I can't get enough of walkies when I visit my family who have stayed put (apart from Dad who has legged it up to Scotland!)

The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path is a 91 mile dogleg - the dog leg being when you hit the Norfolk Coast after the Peddars Way, which runs from Knettishall Heath in Suffolk to Holme-Next-The-Sea in Norfolk and have to turn right to stop yourself getting wet and stuff.  The coast is then followed from Hunstanton to Cromer.  I finished both thes trails between  2005 and 2006.  Peddars Way Sections: Knettishall Heath to Little Cressingham, Little Cressingham to Castle Acre, Castle Acre to Hunstanton (Holme-Next-The-Sea) and Norfolk Coast Path: Holme to Burnham-Overy-Staithe, Burnham-Overy-Staithe to Blakeney, Blakeney to Cromer.

I treated these as separate trails, but I am listing them both together here as that is how they are described on the National Trails website and they combine to make a reasonable distance.

The walking is of course rather level, which is not a criticism, and actually makes a nice change after the undulations of the Weald and Downs, and the bloody hard work needed to progress the South West Coast Path althogh some of the sand and shingle on the coast is a bit bleedin' previous.

Peddars Way

Knettishall Heath to Little Cressingham

14 Miles

A great walk, but a bitch for transport.  I borrowed me mams mota and parked at Little Cressingham, getting a coach into Watton, then a post bus to Thetford, then a cab to Knettishall Heath - what a palaver - if they had just left the railways alone, then life would have been much easier.  As expected, a flat but pleasant walk through the Norfolk Countryside.  Watton is a pleasant bustling little town, and it was nice to hear the local accents again

Finger post at Knettishall Heath

Little Cressingham to Castle Acre

Summer 2005 - 11.5 Miles

Between Little Cressingham and Castle Acre

Just arriving into Castle Acre (a scorchio day in mid summer 2005)

Castle Acre to Hunstanton (Holme)

19.5 Miles

Walked into Hunstanton to get bus

Hippies Only - near Holme

A meeting of the ways - PW and NCP at Holme

Outskirts of Hunstanton

Norfolk Coast Path

Holme to Burnham Overy Staithe

Saturday 4 March 2006 - 13 Miles

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Drove to Holme car park.  Bus back to near mota.  Perishin' Cold, lunch was a hurried affair, there is very little shelter in these parts

Heading east from Holme

Where am I?

Near Brancaster

Looking towards Burnham-Overy-Staithe

Burnham Windmill

Burnham Overy Staithe to Blakeney

Friday 7 July 2006 - 14 Miles

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The last few miles were a bit of a nightmare as I had to do jogging as my OS map and me had a barney about which was the right way and I run up and down like a headless chicken looking for the right path and got all stressed out and me mate was waitin in the motor at Blakeney and I was well overdue and she threw a wobbly and it all went a bit radio rental - so basically this was not my favourite walk.

Leaving Burnham

A hard slog on the sog.

The long walk into Wells-Next-The-Sea

For a breather went on the Wells And Walsingham Light Railway

Blakeney - at last - trouble awaits in the car park!

Blakeney to Cromer

Saturday 2 September 2006 - 16 Miles

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One and only time I rode my motorcycle to my mums via Gravesend Ferry and rural Essex roads to Trimley.  Train to Sheringham, bus to Blakeney, then train back from Cromer to Trimley.  Walk dun!

Cley ahead

Muckleburgh Tank

A view over Sheringham

Another trail bites the dust - Cromer Pier.