Norwich Trip

Thursday 13 December

Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to .... Norwich. On the train. The 10.12 from Cambridge as a matter of fact, via Ely, Brandon, Thetford, Attleborough and Wymondham (with its historic station). "We" were the usual suspects consisting mainly and exclusively of "we're only making plans for" Nigel "Bingo" Bloomer, Doctor Watson, David and Bruce, Norm, Denise Denise, David Collins (aka Colin Davids), Mikey Mikey and JQ (not pictured). Unfortunately we had to leave Sarah behind because she didn't arrive on time. We travelled through the fens and Thetford Forest whose beauty was considerably enhanced by a heavy dusing of frost. At 10 30 we ate a hearty picnic lunch consisting of mini pork pies, chicken wings, kettle chips with no added salt, scotch eggs, mini pasties, ham sandwiches and cheese and tomato baguettes. Yum yum yummy says my tummy.

On arrival we headed for the market where Norm (pictured centre) snapped up a bargain watch. The cheeseburger he bought later was less to his liking. The party split up into two groups with DC, Norm, Doctor Watson and JQ heading for the historic Guildhall which has been converted into a rather splendid caff. David, Norm and JQ wandered through the market where David bought an aeroplane poster, on through the lavishly decorated historic arcade, into HMV and back to the market place to meet up with the rest of the gang...

...who were late. When eventually the group reached its full complement, it set off for the cathedral, pausing briefly at the Cancer Relief charity shop where Norm snapped up a rather fetching shirt.

Judging from its profusion of Romanesque arches we surmised (rightly as we subsequently discovered when we consulted David's guidebook) that work on the cathedral started in the 11th century. Butr what we didn't know (and this is a really interesting fact folks) was that the spire was a much later addition. If you go to Norwich or see a photograph of the cathedral, imagine it without its spire. It becomes quite a different and some might say an even more impresive structure. Our hearts were gladdened inside the cathedral to discover a school brass band rehearsing for a carol concert so as we progressed down the nave, we were serenaded by a spirited rendering of "O Little Town of Bethlehem".

Back on the train we demolished the remains of the morning's picnic. Nigel read from a rather imposing tome on 1-2 Kings, Doctor Watson launched into one of his elaborate autobiographical anecdotes, liberally sprinkled with Biblical quotations and Bruce and Denise Denise fell asleep. We were back in Cambridge by 4, giving us ample time to head off to the Newtown Community Christmas Event (pictured elsewhere on this website). Next Thursday it's our Christmas lunch cooked by our old friend Diane Hicks. Doctor Watson has promised to treat us all with his guitar aided rendition of "Donna" by the late, great Ritchie Valence. We shall see.

P.S. If you're out there Doctor Watson, let me know what you think. Didn't I tell it like it was?