Hevingham Lakes

At the end of June, Andy, Finn and I set off the seven or so miles from Norwich to Hevingham Lakes for a few days camping.   We had been told to expect "unsettled" weather - and that's exactly what we got!  We set off in bright sunshine, but by the time we'd found our pitch on the campsite, the heavens had opened, so we opted to sit in the car for half an hour or so and read, before venturing out to put the bivvy up.   We eventually set up in our favourite spot on the site - the campsite is divided essentially into three areas.  The area nearest to the entrance (although still a drive down a gravel track through a field) is where all the electric hook ups are situated.   Once you drive past this area and around the lake, you either have a choice of heading round to the left to a wooded area (no hook ups) where you can set up camp under the trees and get some shelter.  Or you can head on up and to the right to a large open field - again with no hook ups - but with no shade whatsoever.  A lot of long stayers use this area - on walking around, we could see that a lot of the caravans had generators, so are providing their own power.   Our favourite spot is under the trees in the wooded area - and we were lucky that our usual pitch was available.  

Very soon, the sun came out and It wasn't long before Andy started fishing once the bivvy was up, so we trooped round to the lake with essentials - fishing gear, beer and chair for Andy;  Finn, knitting, custard tarts and chair for me!   Not forgetting Finn's long lead - he is forbidden (only by Andy!) from entering the lake - spoilsport - so Finn is generally tied to my chair.

Once the heavens opened again though, we decided to head back to camp and fire up the barbecue.   We have done this so many times now and have got our little set up just right - bivvy to the back of the pitch, with our windbreak (which looks like a hedge!) a few yards in front, and Finn's cage between the two.  We also have the stove set up by the cage and, this time, we had the fishing umbrella covering as much of the area as we could.   All finished off by the citronella tealights in little glass dishes on top of the cage to try and stop the beasties biting us.

Another bonus of this site is Buxton Heath out the back of the campsite, so, while Andy started fishing the next morning, Finn and I went and did a hike over the footpaths to try and wear him out before we went and sat with Andy for the afternoon.   The theory is that, the more worn out Finn is, the less likely he is to jump in the lake and disturb the fish!

Back to Andy's then for some more fishing and chilling in the sunshine.  This was pretty much the routine for the entire four days!

A lovely lovely few days - as usual - but sad to have to pack up and head back to the real world.  The beauty of this site is that there is no mobile 'phone signal and, of course, we choose not to have an electric hook up too, so it really does feel very remote.   Of course it isn't, the little market town of Aylsham is only four miles away with its market square, nice foody shops and tea rooms, a couple of very good pubs for food, and a small Tescos too for stocking up on barbecue stuff and beer.  

So, the deal is on the last day, when I'm sulking and don't want to go home, Andy gets to take the tent down by himself so I can sit and knit for just a little while longer!