David, Ashley, Graham, Janette, Paul, Mike, and myself set off from the Harford Bridges Tesco store a bit after 09:00 to take some of the more interesting roads out to the coast rather than rushing along the quickest route.
The pace was quite relaxed throughout we we able to pretty much stick together as a group, so we only had to use the 2nd-Rider Drop-Off system at a couple of points to get the route established.
Hopping-off the Southern By-Pass at the Trowse junction we headed up Bixley Hill and turned left at the top and set off through that fabulous bend towards Kirby Bedon. We then followed the Yare valley through Bramerton, Rockland, Claxton and Langley, then right on to Chedgrave and through the middle of Loddon town.
Leaving the town took us on to the main A140 Lowestoft Road then we soon branched off at Hales to pause at the (now) mobility scooter shop where the CJ Ball motorcycle dealership has its roots.
Following the B1136 Yarmouth Road took us through the quiet village of Raveningham all the way down to Haddiscoe, there we rode across the twisty Haddiscoe Dam (A143) to the dual bridges of St. Olaves.
Taking the right turn onto the B1074 took os through the leafy villages of Herringfleet and Somerleyton, past the magnificent Hall & Gardens, right through to Corton where we went right onto the A47 and down into Lowestoft town.
After circling round a confusing junction a few times(!) we eventually took a well-concealed lane – appropriately called the ‘The Ravine’ – down to the Whapload Road to stop at the highly-recommended Lighthouse Diner. (thank you, Mike. I think….)
Unfortunately, after parking the bikes, divesting ourselves of riding gear and queuing for ten minutes we learned that they don’t take cards, and none of us was carrying any cash!
So, off we went again – hot, thirsty and a bit grumpy – southwards down through the Lowestoft Docks, back onto the A47 until it morphed into the A12, and on to the White Hart pub in Blythburgh. where we stopped to meet up with Nigel and – at last! – partake of some liquid refreshment.
The White Hard does take cards but they were having difficulties too but they served us anyway- we were eventually able to pay for them!
Leaving The White Hart, Nigel led us down the coast and over Dunwich Heath, past Greyfriars, through the village of Sizewell (the people there are clearly unhappy at the addition of the Sizewell C nuclear power station – I wonder why that is?) and down to Thorpeness.
having finally arrived, we were duty-bound to test the sausage rolls at The Kitchen in Thorpeness, and they did indeed live up to their reputation. As did the scones, will chilli jam, I’m told.
After an hour of eating, drinking, and swapping stories, Janette, Paul and Mike set off back for home
David, Ashley and myself took off for Framlingham; Nigel stayed back as he was in no hurry to get home. So he said, but we wondered whether he was just hanging around to snaffle another sausage roll!
We happy few managed to find some incredibly complex route of minor lanes to Fram, from where Ashley led us through the meanders onto the B1116 for Harleston. Great job, Ashley!
Through Harleston we continued North up to Alburgh, then right on the A143 through to Ditchingham and what used to be “the chicken roundabout”. From there it was on the B1332 left through Woodton, Kirstead, Brooke and Poringland and back to the A47 in Trowse.
We were very fortunate to have dry and bright weather all day, and it was a great day out from my perspective, at least.
Thanks to all who joined, and especially to Graham – hope you are feeling a bit better today and look forward to seeing you for the next outing!
