At last a trip to Norfolk....

We wanted to nip up to Norfolk, not least because I needed to see Elizabeth's face. Mothers whose children live across the other side of the country or world will understand this feeling. It's a need to smell your child's neck that overwhelms you isn't it ?.... I hate the fact that she is a 6 (if you're lucky) hour drive away from us.

Builders are busy renovating her small newly acquired house and office project which should make her life much more manageable, and should result in us being able to stay with her during our infrequent visits there.
At present she is shoehorned into a small temporary bedroom with a mattress at floor level whilst she oversees work on the build which has cash injections from the Bank of Mum and Dad. 'Bless....!'

So for the first couple of nights we, Rob and I stayed at a local B&B belonging to a railway buff in Downham Market. Typical Elizabeth, she had done a deal with the chap so that we could stay there at half price in exchange for us taking pictures of the place for a new website that she is building him. As one night B&B would have cost £60 which is the exact minimum charge we make for a visit to take pictures on site (less the mileage to Norfolk of course!) this was completely the best for both of us..... I will add a link to the website when Elizabeth's happy gang in the office http://www.lingodesign.co.uk/ come up with the goods. The following 2 nights we spent in the divine home (just click on the picture of our bathroom) of Veronica de Lotbiniere who runs a company that introduces well to do foreign visitors to the lifestyle of the Upper Classes of England. Guests are invited to stay at her house on the Suffolk Norfolk border and to take in a colourful tour of this fair land staying at stately homes, sampling the lifestyle of the well to-do, with trips to Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and the like, with huntin, shootin and fishin as an options along with possible polo and point to point on offer in season. Veronica herself is the most lovely generous bubbly person, and I for one would enjoy a countrywide jolly with her as companion/overseer. Once again, Elizabeth asked us to take photos for use on a website, so I only offer you these 3 shots, but I suggest you click on them to see what a smashing home we were privileged to stay in. Lucky us.

Veronica is just putting finishing touches to fabulous bed and breakfast accommodation she is soon to have on offer for ordinary tourists; and as the National Trust's Oxburgh Hall is her direct next door neighbour, I think she will do very well indeed as the accommodation in a converted coach house is high quality and very special, a perfect romantic holiday location on the east coast. The minute pictures are ready to view on her website, I shall put up the link for everyone to see her lovely home.

We stayed at the Trout Inn at Tadpole Bridge on the way home, but that will have to wait for another time...