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Friday 24th June

A bright start weather wise, although there had previously been floods as we found out all too soon. The train services to Norwich were badly disrupted, and instead of catching trains to Norwich in two groups, we ended up in one group on a local train to Shenfield. From here another overcrowded train took us to Colchester where finally there was a Norwich train waiting for us, although it didn't set off for well over an hour. So it was 3pm by the time me met up at the 'Queen of Iceni' pub in Norwich. We rode through the city centre, over the river Wensum and then north west on the Marriott Way. This is a disused rail line, and it starts promisingly with a paved surface, but this deteriorated with sand, mud and large puddles and low trees all putting in an appearance. We abandoned the path at Attlebridge and took the road to Reepham. Here the rain started as we adjourned to The Dial House for tea, coffee and cakes. After the worst had passed, and we had convinced ourselves we could see some blue sky. we continued through Bawdeswell, Billingford, North Elmham and Bisley, arriving around 7:30pm. We found rooms in the four appartments before welcome fish 'n chips.

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Saturday 25th June

A brighter start as two more arrived by car. Our destination today was Wells, and we set off about 9:30am. Past Fakenham, South and North Creake where we stopped to admire the cycle scrapyard, and were greeted by a local who was surely in the pay of the Norfolk Tourist Board. Then on into the grounds of Holkham Hall, where we were cheered by groups of picnicers. We stopped at the rather upmarket café there to admire the tractors before continuing through Holkham village. Here we split into two groups, with one group entering Wells by the road while the other took the misleadingly named coastal path - not a single glimpse of the sea! A long lunch stop in Wells saw us disperse to pubs, cafés, and the Albatros Dutch pancake barge which, by the time the stragglers arrived, was no longer serving pancakes! We returned on the road through Little Walsingham, where we stopped for ice creams, and Colkirk.

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Sunday 26th June

A later morning start after the night before, and some breakfast bacon butties from our hosts. Joint leaders Ben and Janine had planned a route to Holt, which we followed (with two puncture stops en route) through Guist, Briston and Hunworth to Holt, which we reached about 1pm. Here we dispersed to various hostelries such as the Feathers, Kings Head, with many of us somehow meeting up at Budgens to buy supplies for the evening. Lots of interesting small antique and craft shops there, but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) as it was Sunday many of these were closed. We left about 3pm for the ride back, where we were caught in a heavy shower about half way before reaching Fakenham where we stopped at The Limes pub for refreshments. Here we were joined by some non riders, then back through Colkirk.

Later we enjoyed beer and other drinks, plus Pat's lovely cakes, and some party games - 'Kerplonk' and old quiz questions from Cathy while others watched Glastonbury on TV.

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Monday 27th June

A grey start before the sun came out later on. After tidying up we checked bikes and packed our luggage before a final photocall just after 10am. Setting off at 10:20, on the road to Reepham, we stopped for lunch at 'V's café. Pat and Cathy joined us by car. Then off down the B1149, past road works and avoiding the worst of the Marriotts Way, south into Drayton - puncture number three, but as it was a slow one and we were sufficiently close to Norwich we just pumped the tyre up and continued. Paul led us through the winding city streets, and over the river to the pub near the station by about 3:30pm. More food and drink here, and then we made our way to the station in two groups to catch two separate trains. Group 1 at 5pm and Group 2 at 5:30pm. The journey back to London was far less eventful that the journey out!

Our thanks to hosts, plus Dave the cockerel who ensured no-one overslept. Also to organisers, Maz, Pat, to Les for mechanical support, to Pat again for transporting much of the luggage, to ride leaders and backstops and to everyone who made it such an enjoyable weekend. Group 1: Paul, Jeff, Trevor, Peter, Stephen, Rosa, Janine. Group 2: Maz, Les, Jayne, Jane, Eleanor, Ben. Independently: Pat, Cathy, Dave, Susan, Bridget, Colin, Phil. Over the four days a total cycling distance of 140 miles.