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!