Although I’ve lived in Norfolk for nearly forty years I’d never turned left down
a lane on the outskirts of Norwich,
which had intrigued me for many years. I
think at one time it was signposted to Eaton village but then become a ‘dead
end’ road with access for cycles and walkers only.
I met a friend in Norwich today, intending to go for a walk at Whitlingham Country Park
but when we set off I turned in the wrong direction! I could have easily found my way back to our
original destination but then my friend said she knew of a walk by the river
and to my delight she directed me down this little lane which had intrigued me
for so long!
There was a small car park
so we got out and it was a journey of discovery for me, with the network of
footpaths through fields and marshes, alongside the river (we debated which
river it was and she felt it was the Tas whilst my instincts told me it was the
Yare *)
Masses of butterflies and
damsel flies were on the thistles and nettles along the footpath, which
meandered by the crystal clear river.
We came to a junction and my
friend suggested we have a look at Keswick Mill which was well worth the
detour. What a beautiful spot just
outside Norwich
although the occasional train, probably heading towards Ely, and the distant
hum of the by-pass told us that civilisation was only a short distance away. Keswick Mill
Back up the path, across the
railway line and we walked past Eaton Vale scout and guide activity centre and
then on to the road which quickly led to Waitrose where we stopped for a
welcome cup of coffee.
Back down the road, off to
the right and we were back on to the footpaths and then it was a short trek
across the slightly damp and marshy fields to the car park.
What a revelation for me and
I really enjoyed it. Will certainly be
going again.
Thanks Hilary!!
- I checked on Google Earth and it was the Yare,
of which the Tas seems to be a tributary which runs south
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