Monday 14th September 2020
Reasonably early start (for me) – left the site just after 10.30. Bit of a slow drive to Morrisons Kings Lynne (lots of tractors) but once there I stocked up. My supply of lager seemed to have evaporated – along with the usual fresh things like bread and milk. Filled up Voyagers diesel tank – and that hurt a bit, but I’m enjoying myself and everything costs I suppose.
Two cricket grounds today – the first at Snettisham (pg184) hadn’t seen any play this year or been prepared for any in the near future. But it’s crossed off and the view from the boundary of St Marys Church was pretty good.
Onward, via some pretty, narrow in places, roads to Holkham Hall estate (pg98). Payed only for parking and found a shady bit of the parking area. I prepared and ate my sandwich lunch (a bit late at gone 2 o’clock) and studied Google Maps to find where the pitch was in relation to me.
I had thought here might be the maiden trip with the e-bike, but no, the pitch was within 100 meters of where I was parked so an easy walk even with my knees.
Photos taken – back to Voyager and on the five or so miles to Fallowfield Farm CS. Another lovely field but much busier than most I have used – a dozen or so pitches with electric and more without. All the electric ones were in use but that’s fine with me. The forecast is good for the next few days so I opted for two nights (£12/nght) as I’m in no hurry and a whole day chilling sounded good.
I sat out in the late afternoon sun, with a cup of tea, while I updated my social media again – got to keep my friends aware of what I’m up to. Now I haven’t really been in a hurry since I retired but not moving on every day is so much more leisurely and I like it.
I flash fried a thin steak with new potatoes and mixed veg for my meal, followed by plain yoghurt with fresh raspberries for afters. A very good SW friendly meal. Only I had three small lagers while preparing and eating it and half a bottle of red wine later in the evening – so syns through the roof.
Tuesday 15th September 2020
As I said a chill day. Obviously did all the chores after breakfast – emptying grey and black plus filling fresh – dumping the rubbish and sorting the recycling.
I also repositioned Voyager for more sun during the afternoon. I even put out the awning. Had my lunch alfresco, only a sandwich with a few olives washed down with more lager – it’s evaporating fast.
A siesta in the afternoon- well why not.
Then more blog work – got caught up at last. Plans for the next few days. Only four more cricket grounds this trip, but I will have completed all the Norfolk and Bedfordshire ones and one in Oxfordshire as well.
Wednesday 16th September 2020
All the normal chores completed I left Fallowfield about 11o’clock and meandered my way to the only cricket ground of the day.
It was at Aldborough (pg18) the last Norfolk ground featured in the book.
There was evidence of recent matches but nothing on today. I strolled, took some snaps did my social media posts then prepared and ate my lunch while looking out over the green.
Next it was onto my campsite for the night. I had to travel nearly 60 miles as the grounds for tomorrow are in Bedfordshire (about 130 miles total). I had decided to split that journey with a stopover near Thetford. I did a quick supermarket shop on the way – just the usual fresh stuff and more of those evaporating lagers.
Grove Farm CL was pretty quiet (bit of traffic noise around rush hour) and run by a very friendly couple. Again £10 for the night with only essentials provided.
I cranked up Skygo and watched the last England Cricket ODI while preparing my chicken supreme pasta meal. Then the washing up, all while Australia managed to scrape a series win with two balls to spare. It was a nail biting game but ‘we was robbed’.
Thursday 17th September 2020
Usual stuff – left field at 11 o’clock with a 75 mile journey to Southill Park (pg188).
Satnav got confused around Huntington because I followed the A14 on its new section which isn’t on its map (prompting me to consider an upgrade). She found me again eventually but I went North instead of South for a bit.
Anyway I eventually arrived at the gatehouse of the estate where the cricket ground is located. It was my first true FAIL – it’s only open to the public on match days. Initially I was going to give it a half tick but on mentioning it on social media one of the comments was to score it as a bye – brilliant idea, after all I did drive by. So following the same logic Ullenwood is getting classed as one as well. I may schedule another visit on a match day possibly combining it with a visit to the Shuttleworth Collection Museum which is very nearby.
The second ground I found with no problem not too many miles away. The small village of Ickwell Green (pg106) has a lovely ground which features an old oak tree well within the playing area. It was roped off today as one of the recent storms had caused an upper branch to split and fall – it’s still a very impressive tree though.
Like many other clubs any shot that hits the tree is signalled four.
Another van lunch while overlooking the ground then onward toward my overnight stop ‘Tile House Farm’ Little Horwood. Another 30 miles but at least I got through Milton Keynes before the rush hour.
Arrived, pitched up, paid my £8 for the night, updated social media and brought blog up to date.
I cooked chilli and rice but had forgotten to take the mince out of the freezer this morning. Luckily it’s been a warm day and although not out until after lunch it was pretty much defrosted before I started.
Friday 18th September 2020
Another lovely day, bit cool first thing but we are nearing the autumn equinox so that’s got to be expected. I have been so lucky this trip – no rain, varying temperatures but always comfortable.
After my normal morning routine I’m off on my 30 mile drive to the last cricket ground for this first road trip.
Warborough Green (pg212) is another picturesque ground surrounded by some lovely period houses. There have definitely been some matches recently but there was no preparation, when I visited, for any this weekend.
The nearby Six Bells public house was just over the road from the Pavilion. Very handy for a swift half at lunchtime.
It was well attended with many diners eating alfresco in its lovely courtyard – it did look very appealing – however if I have even a small one midday I can very easily fall asleep in the afternoon, which is not a good idea when driving on busy motorways.
So that is the last ground visited for now – a total of ten visited with an addition two extras (byes).
The 75 mile journey home, mostly on fast roads, was uneventful. So now I have to get the deferred chores done – if I had been away any longer I would have found a campsite to do my laundry but as it is my home machine will take the strain and while it does I can start to think about my next trip.
Any future pandemic lockdowns permitting it won’t be too long before I’m off again.
Yokell Couple 