Sunshine on the Wensum

It’s a cloudy-sunny day and mild (15°C).

AMT Coffee

For breakfast, we went to the nearby railway station where there is a tiny AMT Coffee place.

Coffee and croissants
Photo by Tigger

You probably guessed that we had our usual coffee and croissants!

Aboard the 26

After this pleasant interlude, we went out and boarded a number 26 bus.

Grounds of the UEA

The bus brought us to the campus of the University of East Anglia. Among the many fascinating features of this notable institution is its sculpture park. This is open to anyone to visit. It covers a wide area and seeing every exhibit represents a challenge. We saw much but not all. Here follow photos of what we did see.

Two piece reclining figure, No 3, 1961
Henry Moore

Draped reclining woman, 1957-8
Henry Moore

Head, 1997
John Davies

Sun’s Roots II, 2008
Philip King

Usagi Kannon, 2012-9
Leiko Ikemura

Model of the Monument to the Third International, 1920-2011
Vladimir Tatlin

Crouching Beast II, 1990
Lynn Chadwick

Beast Alerted I, 1990
Lynn Chadwick

Lion I, 1990
Lynn Chadwick

Proximity, 2006
Ian Tyson

Goodwood Steps, 1996
Anthony Caro

One for Bristol, 1968
John Hoskin

ANOTHER TIME VII, 2007
Anthony Gormley
Photo by Tigger

These were the exhibits that we managed to see and photograph. There were a few more which we missed this time around.

Ziggy’s

Walking back and forth across a large area in what was by now quite a warm day was more tiring than it might seem. We were glad to sit down and take refreshment at Ziggy’s.

Aboard the 26

After this short rest, we made our way back to the road that passes through the campus and caught a number 26 bus back to town. We left the bus at the station and returned to our temporary home for a rest. I will leave the story there for now.

This evening we went out for supper as we will no doubt do for the rest of our stay.

Wensum reflecting lights

We left the apartment and crossed the Wensum, now reflecting lights.

Wherry Road

We walked along this thoroughfare, called Wherry Road. We knew it from previous visits to Norwich: it is lined with restaurants.

Frankie and Benny’s

We made a show of looking to see what was on offer along the street but we had really already decided to go to Frankie and Benny’s Italian-style restaurant as we had done on previous occasions.

“Ultimate Mac ‘N’ Cheese”
Photo by Tigger

We both chose Ultimate Mac ‘N’ Cheese, which is a vegetarian version of macaroni cheese,

We had tea to drink though it was unfortunately served in the abominable way that is becoming all too common: you are served a cup of tepid water with a tea bag in the saucer for you to put into the cup yourself.

“New York Cheescake”

To follow, we both had something called New York Cheesecake though why it was called that I have no idea as I very much doubt whether it has been anywhere near America.

The food was good though the service was extremely slow. This was probably because they were carrying on a brisk trade in food to be delivered and restaurant customers such as we had to wait their turn.

Having eaten, we came straight back to the apartment. We made tea the proper way and settled in for the night. Tomorrow, our Norwich adventure begins in earnest!

We were planning a trip to Norwich a few weeks back but Storm Eunice disrupted train services and scotched our plans. This is our second attempt. We expect to spend four nights in this, Norfolk’s county town.

Aboard the 205

We caught a 205 bus in Pentonville Road. This bus would deliver us right to Liverpool Street Station but we left it a couple of stops before that destination.

Black Sheep Coffee

This was so that we could visit a branch of Black Sheep Coffee.

Coffee and croissants

At Black Sheep, we ordered our favourite breakfast of coffee and croissants.

Liverpool Street Station

After breakfast, we walked to the nearby Liverpool Street Station.

Aboard the Norwich

We boarded the train for Norwich and it departed on time at 9.30.

The countryside speeds by

All we had to do now was relax and watch the countryside speed by until we arrived at Norwich.

Arriving at Norwich

We eventually arrived at Norwich – three minutes late but who’s counting? 🙂

Norwich Station

We left the railway station,…

River Wensum

…crossed the River Wensum and made our way to the apartment where we are staying. We cannot access it till this afternoon but we can leave our suitcases.

Street view, Norwich

We then went prospecting for somewhere to sit and take refreshments..

The Departure Lounge

We happened upon a coffee bar called The Departure Lounge and went in.

Milkshakes
Photo by Tigger

For a change, we ordered milkshakes.

Hardwicke House

We walked up the hill, taking in the sights. Hardwicke House was built in 1860 as a bank but has served various other purposes, including that of post office, since then.

The Norman Castle

We passed by the castle, built by William the Conqueror, used as a prison for 667 years to 1887 and now home to the museum.

The Royal Arcade

We visited the Art Nouveau-influenced Royal Arcade, opened in 1899.

The Market

We passed by the famous and popular market but did not explore it this time.

Jarrold’s department store

We entered Jarrold’s store (opened 1823) and had a look round at their immense variety of goods (No, we didn’t buy anything.)

The Guildhall

We photographed the Guildhall, built 1413, glowing in the sunshine with its smart chequerboard decoration.

The Forum

We entered the impressive multi-purpose building called the Forum which accommodates the public library, the BBC and a number of cafes and restaurants.

PizzaExpress

Among the latter is PizzaExpress where w had lunch.

Church of St Peter Mancroft

Opposite the Forum is the local parish church, called St Peter Mancroft. It was begun in 1430 though I imagine a lot has been done to it in the years since.

St Peter Mancroft, interior

St Peter’s is quite large and impressive. I was particularly intrigued by a narrow spiral staircase provided solely for access to the organ.

View from the bedroom into the kitchen

Leaving the church, we made our way back to our apartment. Fortunately, as we were now rather tired, much of our path was downhill! We reached the building containing our apartment and activated the keypad entry system. Our apartment was available from 2:30 and, as we were slightly early, we had to wait a few minutes before the entry keypad would respond.

Resting!

The apartment is quite small. The “kitchen”(which I doubt we will use) is combined with the entrance hall. There is a toilet and shower combined and a bedroom where, as I write this, we are currently resting.

We will go out later to find supper but I will end the story here for now as it is already rather long.

St Pancras Station

For today’s jaunt, we started with a short bus ride to St Pancras Station.

Le Pain Quotidien

As we were early for our train, we went into one of our favourite haunts, Le Pain Quotidien, where we had breakfast. This is our first visit to this cafe since before the pandemic.

Breakfast
Photo by Tigger

We had porridge (each a different sort), croissants and, of course, coffee.

At AMT Coffee
Photo by Tigger

We still had an hour or so to wait for our train so we went to the upper level of the station and to AMT Coffee which has a tiny upstairs seating area where we sat. I like these sorts of quirky places.

Aboard HS1

We went down, then up again, this time to the platforms served by the HS1 service. When our train came in and had emptied of arriving passengers, we went aboard. HS1 (“ HS” for “high speed”) runs part of the way on the same fast rail-track as the intercontinental Eurostar trains and reduces journey times to Kent accordingly. In addition, these trains are supposed to be better for the environment than older rolling stock.

Crossing the Medway

When we cross the River Medway, we know we are in Kent and have been for several miles.

We reached Whitstable at about midday and were picked up by a relative in a borrowed car. We were thus transported to Swalecliffe.

Mr Beano Cafe

Our first call was at the Mr Beano Cafe for lunch.

Seasalter sea wall

After lunch we were driven to Seasalter. The low-lying land is protected from flooding by a sea wall. We walked some way along this, battered by a strong, gusty wind.

The name Seasalter derives from the village’s importance in the Iron Age as a producer of salt.

Bale out!

Our relative had another appointment but drove us back to Whitstable where we baled out of the car at a red light!

Oxford Street

We walked along the main road which, I believe, it called Oxford Street.

War Memorial

We took in the usual sights, such as the war memorial,…

The Peter Cushing

…the old cinema, now a pub named after actor Peter Cushing who used to live hereabouts,…

The Playhouse Theatre

…the theatre,…

Church of St Alphege

…and the parish church, dedicated to St Alphege.

Foreman’s Alley
Photo by Tigger

We saw, but did not explore, some intriguing narrow passages.

Reeves Beach

We visited the beach, this section being called Reeves Beach. The sunshine had brought people to the seaside but it was too cold for bathing. A lot just stood around as though not knowing what else to do.

Advertising lamp oil
Photo by Tigger

This shop still displays old signage advertising, among other things, lamp oil.

Elliott’s

We found a cafe called Elliott’s and shared a pot of tea therein.

Old Police Station

Although it was still early for our train, we started slowly towards the railway station. On the way we spotted the old police station.

Church of St Peter

We found another church, this one dedicated to St Peter.

Stream Walk

We now happened on a path with a sign indicating that it led to the station. The path is called Stream Walk and is composed of a series of concrete slabs. It weaves charmingly in curves left and right so even without the information panel, you might guess that the path has been made by covering a stream. That stream was called the Gorrell and its course was diverted but when it goes now I do not know.

Evangelical Church

The path crossed several roads and at one intersection, we found yet another church, this one called Hamilton Road Evangelical Church.

Arriving at Whitstable Station

Stream Walk led us to steps and thence, as promised, to the railway station.

Waiting for the train

The waiting room was locked up so we had to find seats on the platform and wait in the cold.

Aboard the train

Our train was one minute late and we were glad to go aboard out of the cold,

At Gillingham, a horde of football supporters boarded the train, so many that all seats were taken and people were left standing. Then the singing and shouting started. Fortunately, they quietened down after a while and the rest of the journey to St Pancras was relatively peaceful. There was of course a crush at St Pancras when this horde left the train and made for the escalators. Tigger cleverly diverted us to the lift whose existence was seemingly unknown to them, allowing us to descend without being jostled.

EL & N

Before making for the bus, we stopped off at EL & N for coffee. After this agreeable pause, we went to the bus stop from which a 214 bus (too crowded for photos) carried us up the hill to the Angel and home.

Tigger starts her holiday today. She had an early appointment and left me to catch up with her later.

Black Sheep Coffee

This is where we met: Black Sheep Coffee at King’s Cross.

Busy King’s Cross

Because it’s a week day and still early, the streets were very busy.

King’s Cross Station

We paid a visit to King’s Cross Station. This is the departures hall with its striking treelike support system.

Ticket machine

We had come to talk to a ticket machine to collect train tickets already bought online. More about that in due course.

St Pancras Station

We went back out into the street to a bus stop opposite the magnificent St Pancras Station.

Bus along Oxford Street

We took two buses. The photo was taken on the second as it carried us along Oxford Street

Willesden Lane

We left the bus at the beginning of Willesden Lane.

Old Grange Cinema

We walked back to Kilburn High Road where the old Grange Cinema stands, now diverted to other purposes.

GB Corner
Photo by Tigger

We paused at the quirkily decorated GB Corner cafe where we had tea.

Old State Cinema

Afterwards, we went to a bus stop, passing the once famous State Cinema, now apparently serving as a church,

Bus to Victoria

We caught a bus that was heading for Victoria.

Around Victoria

We left the bus in the neighbourhood of Victoria and started prospecting for lunch. There were lots of restaurants but none took our fancy. In the end, faute de mieux, we settled on Leon.

Fine dining at Leon
Photo by Tigger

We had halloumi wraps and beverages: coffee for me and tea for Tigger.

Aboard the 11

After eating, we boarded a number 11 bus.

Westminster and its famous clock

It brought us to Westminster, the Houses of Parliament and what is possibly the most famous clock in the world, popularly called Big Ben, currently undergoing refurbishment.

New Scotland Yard

We viewed the famous police HQ, New Scotland Yard,…

Battle of Britain Monument

…the Battle of Britain Monument…

The Thames

…and, of course, London’s river, the Thames.

Victoria Embankment Gardens

We took a stroll in Victoria Embankment Gardens and…

A pair of greese

…so did a pair of geese. They later settled down in the sun, looking very calm and contented.

A beetle on my hat
Photo by Tigger

A beetle landed on my hat and was duly photographed by Tigger. (I carefully moved it off my hat into the grass.)

Admiralty Arch

We visited Admiralty Arch though it was not looking its best with building works going on.

Nelson’s Column

Nelson is still perched atop his column in Trafalgar Square despite demands in certain quarters that he be removed. I think it unlikely that protestors will manage to dislodge him as they have done with other effigies but who knows what human ingenuity might achieve?

Aboard the 73

We now took two buses, the second being the 73 which would carry us home to the Angel. We sat in our favourite rear-facing seats at the back.

Reaching home, we were both quite tired and glad of a rest. This outing might be seen as practice for what is to come. But more of that when it happens!

Composed “on the hoof” during our ramble.