Did you remember that the clocks go forward one hour today? I remembered when I noticed that the only one of our clocks that is not radio controlled seemed to be running an hour slow. I suspect that in an age when people take their time from their computers, their mobile phones and radio controlled clocks and watches, many do not even notice when the clocks change in March and October.

Sainsbury’s – not busy

As usual on Sunday, we trundled our shopping trolley round to Sainsbury’s for the weekly shopping. Though we were a little later than usual, the shop was not at all busy.

Chapel Market – not busy, either

It was the same story in Chapel Market as I hurried through on my way to Mercer’s for our coffee. Are people compensating for the clock change by having a lie-in, I wonder?

Aboard the 73

After lunch, we went out and caught a 73 bus.

St Pancras

It brought us to the magnificent St Pancras Station.

A glimpse of the Eurostar platforms

We went to the upper level where we could see the Eurostar trains preparing to set out for fascinating destinations in Europe – that marvellous continent from which we have so stupidly disconnected ourselves.

Carluccio’s

We found a table at Carluccio’s restaurant.

Cake and coffee
Photo by Tigger

We ordered cake and coffee as a treat to conclude Tigger’s birthday holiday.

Pigeon tree

Passing in front of King’s Cross Station, we saw this tree full of pigeons. As you may know, I like pigeons and so I photographed the tree and its lodgers.

Aboard the 205

That was enough activity for today and so we caught a 205 bus. The bus was crowded, though Tigger managed to get us seats. As it was so full of standing passengers, I could only take a photograph through the side window as the bus carried us up the hill to the Angel and home.

Tigger returns to work tomorrow, sad to say. We have enjoyed a good holiday together, though, which is something to be grateful for.

We wanted to spend today in relaxed fashion after the busy last few days.

Sunny and warm

The weather was sunny and warm, conducive to taking things easy.

Coffee and custard tarts

We started with coffee and Portuguese custard tarts (pastéis de nata) at Myddelton’s deli.

King’s Cross Station

Later we took a bus to King’s Cross Station and..

York Road Station

…from there, another bus to this notable fossil, the York Road Station. Opened in 1906 and situated between King’s Cross and Caledonian Road Stations, it was closed in 1936 as the number of passengers using it was considered too small to justify keeping it running. It lies awaiting an uncertain fate.

Is it art?

We started walking and passed this strange structure. The four dark rectangles contain fountains but, as for what the metal structure is, your guess is as good as mine.

Lewis Cubitt Park

We passed this pleasant green named in honour of civil engineer and architect Lewis Cubitt. The sunshine had tempted people out to play and stroll.

Gail’s

We had not had any lunch so when we encountered a branch of Gail’s, we went in to to see what they had to offer.

Coffee and quiche

We saw these intriguing objects which turned out to be mushroom and caramelised onion quiches and had one each with coffee.

Is it art?

Continuing our walk, we passed a window through which this object was visible. I assume it is intended to be a work of art though there was no information visible.

Gas holder garden

This area, which lies behind King’s Cross Station, used to be industrial. Still in place are some gas holders dating from the days of “town gas” (gas produced from coal brought here by rail). The actual drum containers which used to rise and fall as they filled and emptied of gas, have been removed but the iron supports have been retained as interesting historical artefacts. This one has a garden inside it.

Apartments inside old gas holders

These two gas-holder frames each have an apartment block built inside them.

Enjoying the sunshine

People were out in large numbers to enjoy the sunshine. Some were semi-baked sunbathing – a sight more typical of the seaside than the town!

The Regent’s Canal

We arrived at the Regent’s Canal. This is the St Pancras Basin where materials brought by rail would have been loaded onto barges for further distribution. Today, most of the barges are houseboats, some for hire.

Bridge over the canal

We crossed this bridge that spans the Regent’s Canal.

St Pancras Lock

From the bridge, we had a good view of the St Pancras Lock which moves barges between two sections of canal that are on different levels.

Camley Street Natural Park

We now entered Camley Road Natural Park. This area was previously a “coal drop”, where coal brought in by rail was stored. No longer required for that purpose, it was cleared and converted into a small but valuable wildlife park.

The lake

Despite its small size, the park has several different habitats, including wetland. The lake connects directly with the canal allowing waterfowl to pass from one to the other. Here we saw coots, moorhens, Canada geese and mallard ducks.

A moorhen hurries past
Photo by Tigger

We sat for a while on a bench and watched the various waterfowl about their activities. Tigger caught this moorhen hurrying past.

“Bug hotel”

Much of the park is left rough to provide attractive habitats including heaps of rotting wood as a refuge and living environment for insects.

Shady paths

There are winding paths to follow and sign boards with information on habitats and the creatures living in them.

Coots’ nest

Just as we were leaving, we spotted this nest built by a pair of coots. It’s a little difficult to see as it is screened by branches.

After this pleasant time spent in the wildlife park, was time for us to walk to the nearby bus stop and catch a bus for home. More relaxation will happen at home!

It’s Tigger’s birthday today: happy birthday, Tigger!

Sunshine on the Wensum

We return to London this afternoon. We have vacated our apartment but left our cases there in the meantime.

St Michael-at-Plea

We walked into town and photographed the Church of St Michael-at-Plea with its unusually coloured clock face.

London Street

We walked along this thoroughfare which is called London Street, reminding us where we are going later!

Imposing building

At the end of London Street stands this imposing building. It’s currently a club and I don’t know its original purpose.

In the bookshop

We visited a bookshop, looking for a particular book that Tigger wants but without finding it.

Costa Coffee
Photo by Tigger

We found a branch of Costa and…

Breakfast

…went in to have breakfast.

Book department, Jarrold’s

We visited Jarrold’s store and went up to the book department where Tigger found, and bought, the book she wanted.

The Market

We explored the market which consists, not of stalls but built shops. Walking down the aisles gives an enclosed feeling.

Castle Mall

We passed through the Castle Mall in order to reach the castle.

The castle on its hill

Our way led through gardens with an upward sloping path. It looked as if it was going to be a climb but, fortunately, there is a lift for the last part.

Castle museum and cafe

The castle is closed at present (we knew this) but we visited the museum and cafe. We had Lipton Ice, the first for a long time. It reminded me of our last trip to Brussels where we drank it. When, I wonder, will we ever go there again?

Unpromising-looking building

Our next port of call was this unpromising-looking building. Why would we come here? A clue it at the top of the building on the left.

Roof Garden Restaurant

On the roof is a cafe restaurant called Roof Garden. A friend had sent us a voucher giving us a reduction on the bill.

Dessert and coffee
Photo by Tigger

We had a dessert and a coffee each.

A view from the roof

This is a view from the rooftop cafe, not very good because it had to be taken through the glass safety screen which was not very clean.

Cathedral Gate

We had some time to spare before our train at 3 pm and so we went a roundabout way to our apartment to collect our cases. We went through the precinct of the cathedral which has this impressive gate.

A view of the Cathedral

The cathedral precinct is extensive and includes houses and a school. The land reaches down to the river, on the other side of which was our apartment and baggage.

A view from the bench

It was a longish walk and we rested for a while on a bench with this view.

Pull’s Ferry

This building, commonly known as Pull’s Ferry after John Pull who operated a ferry here from 1796 to 1841, is a 15th-century watergate.

A view from the bridge

We crossed the river by Bishop Bridge (built 1340) and then walked along “our” road to our, now old, apartment.

Last view of Norwich Station

Reunited with our baggage, we made for the station which I photographed for the last time, at least, on this trip.

AMT Coffee

We still had some time in hand and so went to have coffee at AMT.

Bye bye, Norwich

When 3 pm approached, we boarded our train and bade farewell to Norwich for this time.

Crossing the Stour
Photo by Tigger

We crossed the River Stour and…

A distant view of Jumbo
Photo by Tigger

…had a distant view of Jumbo, the famous water tower in Colchester.

Liverpool Street Station

The train arrived at Liverpool Street Station at last. The rush hour was already underway and we knew that many buses would be crowded – a nuisance when you have baggage.

Aboard the 153

We therefore went for a 153 as this route is usually less crowded. It worked: we and our baggage were comfortably accommodated for the ride home, bringing our expedition to a happy conclusion!

Original station lamps
Photo by Tigger

As we entered the railway station for our usual breakfast at AMT, Tigger noticed that the light fittings still bore the name the station had when first built. (Thorpe Road runs nearby.) Originally, Norwich had three stations but only this one remains, named simply Norwich.

Sunny but hazy

It’s another warm and sunny day but the air is hazy. In fact, a pollution warning has been issued.

Old livery stables

We walked through town, past the old livery stables, to the bus station.

Front seat

We boarded a bus and were able to occupy front seats upstairs.

Flat landscape

As we went, it struck me how flat the land is around here.

Suddenly, the bus came to a halt in a long queue of vehicles. It turned out that there had been an accident, blocking the road. We watched police cars and an ambulance speed past. We were stuck for 35 minutes, insure when – or whether – we would start moving again.

Beccles at last

We reached Beccles at last and left the bus.

Exploring Beccles

We started exploring Beccles.

Decorative arch

We passed through this decorative arch to a street called Smallgate. This shows we are in Norse country: street names often end in the Norse “gate”, rather than street or road.

Not what it seems

We entered this establishment which is not what it seems from the signage; it is really a cafe called Twyford’s. We had lunch here.

Looking along Smallgate

Bell tower

The impressive Beccles Bell Tower was built in 1515. The clock faces were added in the 18th century. It is now a Grade I listed building.

Aboard the 580

We next caught a number 580 bus to Bungay – pronounced BUNGee (with a hard ‘g’).

Priory Church of St Mary

We went for a walk around Bungay to see the sights. Opposite the bus stop is a large church, the Priory Church of St Mary.

Priory ruins

At the rear of the church are ruins that I take to be the remains of the priory.

The Norman Castle

We visited the Norman castle, begun in 1154 and inhabited up to the 15th century.

Old National Provincial Bank

We admired this fine old Edwardian bank building, presumably now residential.

Butter Cross

The Butter Cross, which replaced an earlier market cross, was built in 1689. The statue of Justice was added in 1754. The Cross is Grade I listed.

The Old Bank

We sought refreshments in a cafe called the Old Bank, though I don’t know which bank it replaces.

St Mary’s churchyard

I was expecting an important and private phone call. Seeking a quiet place for it, we found a bench in St Mary’s churchyard.

Goodbye to Bungay

Our bus departed at 4:50 and we bade farewell to Bungay from the front seats upstairs.

Norwich Union Insurance Co biilding

In due course, the bus delivered us to the bus station in Norwich.

Marks & Spencer

We walked to Marks & Spencer where we bought the makings of our evening meal.

The bus home

We boarded our last bus of the day which deposited us…

Norwich Station

…in front of s now familiar landmark, Norwich Station. From here we were soon back at our apartment where we enjoyed a rest and a nice cup of tea!

Sunshine on the Wensum

It’s another sunny and warm day today. I’m again wearing my light jacket and hoping for the best.

Norwich Station

At about 10 am we made our way to the nearby railway station. We had two reasons for starting here.

AMT Coffee

The first reason was to visit AMT Coffee for breakfast.

Coffee and croissants
Photo by Tigger

We had our usual coffee and croissants.

Aboard the Liverpool train

The second reason was that we were catching a train for a trip out of town. We boarded a two-carriage train for Liverpool though we were not going that far!

Crossing the Wensum
Photo by Tigger

The train departed at 10:57 and crossed the Wensum.

Prison camp for pigs
Photo by Tigger

We passed a prison camp for pigs.

Changing at Ely

We had to change trains at the Cathedral city of Ely.

Aboard the train for King’s Lynn-

We boarded our second train which would take us to King’s Lynn.

Crossing the Great Ouse
Photo by Tigger

We crossed this famous river, the Great Ouse.

King’s Lynn Station

We duly arrived at King’s Lynn.

Moccachinos

We went into Moccachinos for lunch.

King’s Lynn bus station

After lunch, we went to the bus station.

Aboard the Coastliner

Here we boarded a Coastliner bus for Hunstanton.

Remnants of the railway

After a ride of 51 minutes, we reached Hunstanton. We then walked down the hill towards the water. On the way we passed these remnants of the railway that no longer calls here.

A view over the Wash

Hunstanton stands, not on the sea but on the Wash, that great estuary filled by four rivers and wherein, according to legend, King John lost his baggage.

Waterside Bar
Photo by Tigger

Nearby was the Waterside Bar into which we went for coffee.

Town sign

We spotted the town sign with its coat of arms and Latin motto: ALIOS DELECTARE IUVA (“it is our pleasure to please others”).

Town Hall

There is a small but quite pretty town hall, designed in Jacobean style by George Skipper (responsible for many fine buildings in the area) and opened in1896.

Lincoln Square

Thinking that there might be many people waiting for the bus at the bus station, we walked along the front to Lincoln Square, the stop before the bus station,

The bus arrives

We boarded the bus here and when most people got out at the bus station. jumped into two good seats!

Aboard the 36
Photo by Tigger

We had to catch this particular bus as our train tickets are for fixed times and this was the last bus to get us to King’s Lynn in time.

On the platform

The bus dropped us at the railway station with a few minutes to spare before our train.

Aboard the King’s Cross train

The train arrived and we went aboard.

Evening seen from the train
Photo by Tigger

We stay on this train as far as Ely, where we change trains.

Toasted mozzarella rolls and coffee
Photo by Tigger

We had half an hour to wait at Ely so we had an early supper of toasted mozzarella rolls and coffee.

Our train arrives

The train was quite busy but we managed to find seats together.

Sunset from the train
Photo by Tigger

The journey back always seems longer and less interesting than the journey out but eventually our train pulls into Norwich station, journey’s end.

Norwich Station

On this trip, seeing Norwich Station means that we are virtually home. A few steps more take us to our door and conclude today’s outing.