Saturday 13th June 2009
Due to the large number of pictures of this trip, additional photos can be found here
The morning saw the branch off on another social trip, this time to the wilds of Norfolk. All the troops gathered at North Station at 09.00 so we could sort out our various group tickets. Once this had been sorted it up to platform one for the 09’22 to Norwich. On boarding the train we were greeted by one of our guests for the day Mr Robert Searl . After some banter about how many lagers he was going to drink we all relaxed till our next pick up just over the border.
Next stop Norwich and a short walk to the Great Yarmouth train and onto our first destination, Reedham. On arrival one or two of the locals seemed amazed that so many people had got off here until our Sue explained the sudden influx of people.
The first pub of the day was the Ferry Inn. A pleasant pub by the river with lots of benches outside. We all took up the option of using them as we had picked such a good day weather wise, that was, until a flock of geese decided to join us for snacks. After an hour it was time to move to our next pub only to have our plans curtailed by the river side walk being shut for repairs.
This meant walking back to the station and picking up the main road into town and the Lord Nelson pub. Another fine pub by the river’s edge [no geese this time!]. Most chose this pub to take in a lunch time meal, others [no names mentioned] had been told there was another pub on the route [The Ship] and chose to have a swift pint [or two andy etc.] there.
It was now time for the main reason for this trip and the 3 to 4 mile walk to the Berney Arms. A pleasant walk but somewhat different terrain than some of our party were use to. Within what seemed like minutes, the group had split up somewhat, until the best of the walkers [no, not the crisps] had disappeared. After even more banter, we had all arrived at our final destination and a ambition of mine, going back to the early 80’s, had been fulfilled. Special mention must go to Derek one of our more senior members, who had arrived at North Station in the morning equipped with a walking stick. My first thoughts were "oh dear" but he duly completed the walk and still found time for a pint or three.
With the last train back from Yarmouth due within the next half an hour, it was time to say goodbye to the pub and an interesting walk across a field to the station, I use the term station loosely, as it must be the shortest platform I think I have ever seen in all my train travelling. However, we all managed to climb on board [all 25 of us] and made our way back to Norwich for a few more drinks. The popular choice of pub seemed to be the Coach and Horses, home of the Chalk Hill Brewery [a fine choice].
A good hour in here had one or two of the party getting a tad restless and they decided to take a stroll to the Rosary Tavern only to find the doors well and truly locked )L(. Still with a bit of local knowledge to hand, the tickers amongst us managed to find another pub close by called the Jubilee. With time ticking away it we had to drink up and head back to the station for the 21.00 back to Colchester and beyond after what [I hope] had been a very enjoyable day out.
JT.
PS. Just wanted to add thanks to everyone that attended and helped to make the day the success that it was.
Cheers till the next one!!
