Norfolk

 Heading to Norfolk to spend a few days with my parents, we took a detour so that I could visit a wool show at Ampthill.

Close by is Olney of pancake race fame.

It is also well known for its links to the Buckinghamshire lacemaking industry.  The purpose of our visit was to go to the Cowper & Newton Museum to view the lace exhibits.

The next day in Norfolk we visited some places I had never been to before even though they weren't far from where I used to live.

North Elmham Chapel, the site of the first Anglo-Saxon cathedral in Norfolk.

St Mary's

Suckling Nelson's, brother to Admiral Nelson, draper's shop in the village

Castle Acre Priory & Castle.  My paternal grandmother used to live there as a child and although I don't remember it, I had visited here with my family when I was about 3 years old.

The priory

The castle

East Lexham

The tower of St Andrew's is the oldest round tower in England.

The following morning we drove to Cromer for a look around the shops.

Then onto Sheringham for an ice ream from Ronaldo's.  It is a tradition of ours to visit here each summer.

Then we went for a walk on Weybourne beach.

A quick look inside the church.

The next day we went to see the Spirit of Haisbro', a Time & Tide Bell at Happisburgh.

We ended our day at Cley next the Sea.

The following day we went antiquing in Norwich.  The past few years have seen a decline of the high street and this was evident in Norwich too, so we didn't stay long.

Afterwards we drove to St Benet's Abbey on the Broads.

We felt that our previous visit to Cley had been too brief, so the next morning we went back again. 

 This time we walked through the nature reserve to the coast.

On our way back to the village, we were delighted to see two hares.

St Margaret's

Our last day in Norfolk we spent with friends at Felbrigg Hall.

We walked around the estate first.

Then went into the hall.

Followed by a stroll in the garden.

A lovely time spent with family and friends.