DAY 4 - WROXHAM TO COLTISHALL 



Finally Under The Bridge

Was up and about early, we moved the boat down to the pilot moorings, called the pilot, and he arrived within 10 minutes. He moored us on the other side of the bridge, and told us about Coltishall, he said that the Kings Head was probably the better to the two pubs there for dinner. We asked him about getting under Potter Heigham bridge, he said it might be possible as the weather had been so good this week. I called the pilot at Potter, and he said that there wouldn't be a problem getting under, so we were back on track.



Hoveton Hall Gardens

While having breakfast we talked over our plans for the morning, the choice was; a steam train to Aylesbury, a visit to Wroxham Barns craft centre or a walk around Hoveton Hall Gardens. I didn't really relish the barns, and Paul and Janet both voted for the Gardens. We walked around to the Wroxham visitor centre, and called a cab. Ten minutes drive and we were there.



Spider Gate

The Gardens are really well tended, we went first into the Spider Garden, where the cottage of the gardener was situated. It was a walled garden, with beautifully laid out beds, teeming with butterflies, a really lovely spot. We walked through some terraces and found ourselves in the herbalists garden. All the plants there were labelled with their uses and what each plant was used to alleviate, it was really interesting.


Water Gardens

Arches to the Herbalists Garden

We left the walled gardens, and followed a trail of toadstools to the water garden, which was renowned for their Rhododendrons, it was a shame the they weren't in flower at this time of year as they would have been spectacular. Then onto the greenhouses, which were full of geraniums, and we made our way back to the entrance. The day was even hotter than yesterday, so we sat in the courtyard, and had a cream tea. Janet bought a shrub, and we got a cab back to the Mars. We went into Wroxham and bought some provisions, and realised it was time to set off, as it was after 2pm.


Walking Through the Greenhouse

Upstream from Wroxham

The journey upstream was very pretty, plenty of secluded properties along the banks, and the river very peaceful, as not too many boats venture under the bridge. We had hoped to make a stop at Belaugh, which is on one of Norfolk's few hills, but although there were four moorings at the staithe, two boats had moored up so badly, that there was no way we could stop.








Coltishall Common

We arrived at Coltishall just after 4pm, it is very peaceful, the staithe was by the side of a big common, where families were playing games or just strolling around. There were two big pubs and a shop, after the bustle of Wroxham, the peace was very welcome.





I felt like a walk around so I went up to the two pubs, and checked their menus. Both pubs looked really good, but the Kings Head looked a little different, they didn't do just Pub Grub, I went inside and it looked really nice, so I booked a table for 8pm.

Kings Head

We had such a great meal, the food was excellent, the two ladies that were working there seemed to have a real passion for food. They have a full dinner menu, but were great when we told them that we didn't want the full dinner experience. Even a simple dish like sausage and mash was very special, with crispy fried onions, and a red wine gravy, it was delicious. They brought little taster plates around so we could try some of the other things they had cooked. We had desserts which were just to die for, this was by far the best meal I had on the holiday, it was really reasonable. I would make the journey up to Coltishall just to eat at the Kings Head. Please consider it if you are thinking about going to Coltishall, I will certainly revisit in April.



Dusk at Coltishall

It was pitch black when we came out, and had to use our torches to cross the common and find the Mars. We decided to leave early in the morning as we were back tracking down the River Bure and beyond, so we decided to aim to get back to Wroxham at 8:30, so we would have no problem getting under the Bridge. Had a cuppa and watched some TV, and turned in relatively early.