Dixie On The Peddars Way – Part Two

Day Three

And so, day three dawned all frosty and misty, about -3C again.

Right from the word go though, you could see the sun trying to break through and burn the mist away. Another promising start for a great walking day.

We’d spent this night on a small farm site so that we could do some ‘housekeeping stuff’, like fill up with fresh water, empty the waste out etc. A very pleasant spot with a lovely, chatty couple running it.

After seeing how tired Dixie was the day before, I’d spent some time the previous evening re-jigging my plans a little. I’d decided that she was definitely going to have a rest today – so I’d do another 12 mile day on my own, but would then split the remaining 15 miles of the Way into 2 days, in the hope that she could join me again. So after a delicious, porridgey, golden syrupy breakfast, I was once again dropped off for the day’s walking, but this time without my special Boxer.

The weather ended up being a bit of a tease in the morning. For a while I’d be walking in sunshine, with water droplets landing on my head from melting ice crystals on the trees, then the freezing fog would return for a bit, then the sun would make an appearance again – it couldn’t quite make its mind up.

Still pretty perfect walking weather mind – dry, with no chance of over-heating!

I followed what was obviously a disused railway line for a while and started to ponder on why it was that Norfolk seemed to be getting under my skin. No mountains – but it didn’t seem to matter. In fact walking all day without breaking into a sweat made a nice change!

No fantastic Himalayan type views – but still expansive views, with huge skies which drew the eyes tantalisingly into the distance.

And the solitude. I was walking for hours each day and hardly seeing another soul. It was no wilderness and yet it still felt wild and desolate in its own way – especially with the cold, north wind blowing inland, unhindered from the North Sea.

At several points along the way, various sculptures have been placed. They are part of the Norfolk Songline Project, created by Hugh Lupton. He used poetry, imagery and song to bring the landscape of the Peddars Way to life. A Songline is originally an Australian Aboriginal concept which explores connections between tracks and the landscapes they pass through.

Not long before lunch time, I became aware of traffic noise in the distance. There aren’t many main roads to cross on the route – most of them are just tiny, side roads – but this one sounded like it was quite busy.

In fact, it was the main road between Swaffham and Norwich. I resisted the temptation to call in at Macdonalds for a Spicy Veggie Wrap…

By the time I’d had a break for lunch, the weather had turned reliably sunny and I headed ever northwards towards the coast. The next place I would go through would be Castle Acre and about a mile short of the village I turned a corner to a bit of a sad sight.

To be fair, fly-tipping is by no means confined to Norfolk. I’ve never understood the mentality of someone who can put in all the effort it takes to dump stuff in the countryside, as opposed to taking it to a tip. Brainless.

Still, Castle Acre was coming up and I was looking forward to it.

And it didn’t disappoint.

I’ve always loved an atmospheric, old ruin – and Castle Acre had two of them.  Cluniac Priory

and a Norman castle.

In fact the castle ruins were even bigger and better than I’d expected.

It was a lovely spot to sit in the sunshine, soak up the atmosphere and have a cup of tea.

It was at this point that I started to fantasise about Jelly Babies. And once I’d started, I couldn’t get them out of my head. So far along the trail I hadn’t passed a single shop where I could have stocked up with anything, so I decided that the only thing for it, was to ring Geoff and ask him very nicely if he could hunter-gather me some Jelly Babies before the next day. He’s a star……

In actual fact, as I headed north again out of Castle Acre, there was a mini-supermarket. And for anyone else contemplating doing the Peddars Way, it’s worth noting that this was the only shop I noticed over the whole route.

The last 3 miles or so of the day followed a tarmac road. To be fair, for most of this section the path was either on the grass verge or in a field behind a hedge, but I actually stuck to the road as I was starting to feel a little weary and was making quicker progress on the tarmac.

Shortly before meeting up with Geoff again I passed the trig point, that at 302ft (92m), marked the high point of the trail.

It was all downhill from here……..

Day Four

Dixie was much brighter this morning after her previous rest day but I made the decision to leave her with Geoff and Tilly for a second day, as she wasn’t quite bouncing around as usual. So, another day on my own, but much shorter – only 8 miles.

The weather was colder. Around 2C all day, with a bit of a breeze and no sun.

Almost as soon as I’d set off I passed another Songline Sculpture.

And as I journeyed north this day, the path started to subtly change in character as the soil took on a more sandy texture and the route also seemed to become even straighter.

More happy looking piggies were passed.

And more creepy looking Norfolk trees.

Being only 8 miles, I seemed to be at the van rendezvous point almost before I realised it. We were meeting up in the village of Fring and Geoff had already found the perfect, peaceful spot for us to spend the night – outside the church.

Day Five

Another cold, grey day dawned and Dixie was up and about, bouncing around, determined not to be left behind again.

It was going to another short day – only 7 miles – and as we set off, the snow started! It didn’t last though…….

Thankfully, Dixie seemed to be absolutely fine again, back to her normal skippety self.

I think I need to practice my videoing technique though.

By now I could smell the sea, bringing back childhood memories. That distinctive fresh, salty smell mingling with the crisp, cold air.

As yesterday, the miles passed quicky with it being another short day. We were soon in the village of Ringstead.

Ringstead is only 3 miles from the coast and the end of the trail, and as we wandered on through we suddenly saw Geoff and Tilly coming towards us. They’d parked up at the sea and walked south to meet us and accompany us on the last bit. You’d think the dogs had been apart for months the way they greeted each other as we all met up!

So here we were, on the final leg.

The final Songline Sculpture was passed. This one was entitled ‘Stone With Labrador And Plastic Bottle’.

Isn’t it funny how the last mile can often seem the longest?

But suddenly, there it was, the sign marking the end of the route – or the beginning I suppose if you were walking from north to south….

And as far as Dixie’s concerned, since she walked the first day and the last day, she’s telling anyone who’ll listen that she walked the whole way.

 

Back in 2011, Robin from blogpackinglight and Alan from Alan Sloman’s Big Walk also did the Peddars Way, but at a different time of year from me. Here are some links to their posts:

Robin’s

Alan’s