{"id":4412,"date":"2015-09-13T08:35:41","date_gmt":"2015-09-13T08:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/martinblack.com\/?p=4412"},"modified":"2016-11-29T16:27:14","modified_gmt":"2016-11-29T16:27:14","slug":"grand-norfolk-hike-stage-17-from-lowestoft-to-great-yarmouth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/martinblack.com\/oldsite\/2015\/09\/grand-norfolk-hike-stage-17-from-lowestoft-to-great-yarmouth\/","title":{"rendered":"The Grand Norfolk Hike:
Lowestoft to Great Yarmouth"},"content":{"rendered":"

I walked this, the 17th stage of the\u00a0Grand Norfolk Hike<\/a>, in late August\u00a02015.<\/p>\n

On a bright and sunny Saturday morning, Smithy the Cairn Terrier and I took the train to the east coast town of Lowestoft and picked up the trail from where I had left off two years ago.<\/p>\n

It takes a little while to arrive at the beach from the station but once there we were met with wide open spaces, virtually empty of anyone but ourselves.<\/p>\n

\"Beach
Beach not far north of Lowestoft<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I let Smithy off the lead and he began to run back and forth across the sand with much joy and vigour.<\/p>\n

\"Smithy
Running dog, happy dog…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Smithy chased new found dog friends, I tried to take a couple of arty seaside shots.<\/p>\n

\"The
The sea! The sea!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking
Looking south to Lowestoft<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The day began to heat up and I took my sandals\u00a0off and ventured into the sea for a paddle. Smithy looked on, not really sure what to make of it all.<\/p>\n

\"What
In the sea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the half-way point of the hike we were forced inland as the beach disappeared and the route\u00a0became unnavigable. \u00a0Unfortunately it was also made clear that the cliff top route was out of bounds due to coastal erosion.<\/p>\n

After a mile or so of unrelaxing road walking the dog and I made the decision to ignore the signs and we took off cross-country towards the sea.<\/p>\n

\"Danger!\"
Danger!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After some faffing about and climbing over and around obstacles we found ourselves back on the beach, where we sat down for lunch. \u00a0A tasty\u00a0pork and apple pasty from our local butcher for me, and Scooby snacks for Smithy.<\/p>\n

\"North
North towards Great Yamouth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We then settled down for a little beach nap.<\/p>\n

\"smithy
Having a rest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Back on the trail, the docks of Great Yarmouth came sharply into view. The dog and I posed for a self-portrait to celebrate.<\/p>\n

\"Man
Man and dog on the outskirts of Great Yarmouth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s a long walk through the back streets of Yarmouth to the station. \u00a0The dog started\u00a0glancing up at me with those ‘are you sure you know what you’re doing?’ looks. \u00a0Which was fair enough, he had covered over 13 miles that day\u00a0on his little terrier legs.<\/p>\n

At the station I enjoyed a cuppa tea while Smith took a nap.<\/p>\n

\"One
One tired but happy dog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We arrived back home tired but happy, pleased with our hike in the August summer sun.<\/p>\n

Almost finished the Grand Norfolk Hike!!<\/strong><\/p>\n