Caravaning around: June 2013

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Lynford Water

Lynford Water / Lakes

Incredibly interesting and beautiful place. The information boards show that they have been digging and removing gravel here since the 1950s.

However, in 2002 they came across a Woolly Mammoth Tusk which then of course stopped all commercial gravel removal. It didn't stop there they continued to find Mammoth bones and even Woolly Rhinocerous Teeth, Axes and tools and further bones of reindeer and brown bears.

It is thought that this area was a killing zone in Mesolithic times and this site is one of the most important Neanderthal sites ever excavated in Britain.

What do you think of my flint stone I picked up. Just a stone or possibly a fossilised creatures bone? ......... you never know do you on a site like this!

The other stones around looked so different and you can see why the flints made such good tools because they are as sharp as razors!

I was really intrigued by the whole area and so I looked up some further info online and found the original survey documents that Norfolk Council obviously commissioned and this was even more unbelievable. The stuff they found there was incredible: flint tools galore and so much evidence of who lived there, how they lived there and what they eat, absolutely fascinating.

The survey wasn't a particularly easy document to read but was really detailed and in depth about what was found. However, since I've tried to get back on it, it seems to have been removed. Try the link and see if you have more luck with it.
http://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?mnf49987

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Lynford Lakes Leisure

Of course the original reason for visiting the area was to walk the dogs and that's what we did. Me, Stroller and the dogs walked around the lakes and the boys had a really good swim and play. Boblicious was so exited he was diving around like a young pup.

Just surveying the area

What's that!

There's something in the water!!

I've got it!

There's loads of them, what are they?

Fresh water clams

Bob! Stop swimming there's fresh water clams here and I think you can eat them!

Please use the link below to find out more details about Lynford Arboretum & Lakes:
http://visitwoods.org.uk/en/visit-woods/Pages/wood-details.aspx?wood=10803&site=Thetford-Forest-Park---Lynford-Arboretum-and-Lakes

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Ticks, Adders and Agility!

Oh no! We found more ticks than we originally thought on the dogs. That's the only trouble with forest walks, well that and the adders.

We have seen an adder as well but unfortunately it was squashed outside the park on the concrete area probably by a tractor coming out of the farm next door. Bit sad that.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Vipera_berus

http://www.naturenet.net/blogs/2006/11/the-darwin-awards-feature-scottish-snakes/

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TICK, TOCK

Back to the nasty little critters called ticks!

http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/practical-guides/ticks-in-woodlands-and-lyme-disease/

We have removed them from the dogs which wasn't easy, and bought some anti-tick treatment and hopefully this will help the dogs to not get infested by them. They are very prevelant here in Thetford Forest because of the forest bracken and of course all the deer that are around.

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AGILITY @ Lynford Arboretum dog agility circuit. Bob and Jay walked it..... literally.

AGILITY TEST 1 - The Tunnel

AGILITY TEST 2 - The Jumps

AGILITY TEST 3 - The Boardwalk

There were four more but Bob and Jay did those easy so it wasn't really worth putting on the blog. (who's telling whoppers -not me!)

We had a good time and a nice walk and it is a lovely area managed by the forestry commision of course: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/englandeastanglianoforestthetfordforestparklynfordarboretum

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Lynford Hall Hotel looks like a wonderful place to stay or visit and just have an afternoon tea there. Maybe next time, eh!

http://www.lynfordhallhotel.co.uk/

Monday, 10 June 2013

You Are Invited To A Barbeque!!

We had our barbeque with Jays old mummy and her partner at the caravan site today and we all had good food, a few ales and a great time together.

Great place!

We had plenty to eat .....
and so did the dogs!

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EVENING WALK

Nightjars, Snipes and Bats

When all had quietened down and everyone had gone home Me, Stroller and the boys went for a late walk, around 21:30hrs, as it was still light but a dusky light.

We left it fairly late as we were told there were Nightjars in the area and that if you were lucky you would be able to hear them very close to the caravan site.

They did not disappoint us. Not only could we hear their churring call but one flew right over our heads and did a display flight back into the nesting area.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/n/nightjar/index.aspx

Also flying over our heads were a pair of Snipes, flying very fast and calling to each other in the evening sky.

On the way back to the caravan bats were flying around feeding. couldn't see what type they were but they seemed larger than the Pipistrelle bats we normally see.

A great end to a great day!

Sunday, 9 June 2013

Lazy bones, sitting in the ..... cloudy day!

Yep! the sun has gone in behind the clouds that have really built up overnight. Still.... me, Stroller and the dogs have had a pretty good run of the good weather (unusually for us).

We've decided to have a lazy day in today which the dogs have agreed with.

Sleeping beauties

Oh well! might as well join them now although Stroller does have to get the portable satelite working which we bought yesterday in Cromer, and we've just found that our BobbyBoy has a tick under his jaw which we now have to remove....not looking forward to that!!

Saturday, 8 June 2013

What a trip!!! What a laugh!!! Great company!!! Great day!!!

Today we travelled to Cromer on the coast of Norfolk to meet with the old mummy of Jay so she could see him as he is now with us. On the way we saw signs for Asparagus and Strawberries and Asparagus and Strawberries and Asparagus and Strawberries. They must grow well round here or something. There were a couple of mobile units selling stuff from laybys but all they had was Asparagus and Strawberries. We didn't stop to buy any.

We met Jays old mummy in Cromer at the North Park Lodge car park and she was totally taken aback by how big Jay looked and how much he had filled out. Much to her disappointment he sadly didn't recognise her but she couldn't wait to walk with him on and off the lead.

We all walked up towards Cromer lighthouse and then down the cliff steps and right along the beach area with Bob running in and out of the sea and really enjoying himself. Jay paddled as usual! But still enjoyed himself. We all enjoyed it... it was a lovely walk.

http://www.thisiscromer.co.uk/

Eventually we made our way back up to the town area and had a very nice lunch in a dog freindly pub, http://redlion-cromer.co.uk/ We were all chatting about each other and how we are and were with our animals when I mentioned that 'Stroller,' my other half, kisses Jays feet when he rolls over on his back because he likes it, not only that he then asks me to do the same for Jay if he rolls over near me, I refuse of course. However, when we were talking about this we noticed that old mummy and her other half were looking at each other and laughing and they then explained that she does the exact same thing with her cat and her other half has to refuse to participate in this activity as well. lol

All was going well until I came back from the ladies room and off Jay went with his barking to welcome me back. This is no ordinary bark, this bark is big and loud. We made a hasty departure!

A hasty departure and onwards to the pier

http://www.piers.org.uk/pierpages/NPScromer.html

Cromer is a busy seaside town and we continued our walk to go and have a look at the pier which was busy with people fishing for crabs over the railings and fairplay some had caught some quite big ones. The pier is also famous for being hit and badly damaged by an oil rig being towed out to sea and some of the repairs and refurbishments are still going on today.

Cromer town also has some beautiful and interesting architectural buildings which are being faithfully maintained and kept up by dedicated individuals and the local town council. That's pretty impressive in this day and age and certainly worth it, I think!

On the way to and from Cromer we also passed through the lovely small but bustling town of Fakenham which had a very big market on the go. Lovely place.

Me and Stroller have also found our ideal village.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Snoring

ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz lol

By the time we got home we were all shattered although we have arranged with old mummy for her and her other half to come over to the caravan for a barby and walks on Monday as they are both off that day. Should be a good time as well if the weather holds!

Friday, 7 June 2013

Forest Walking

Still walking around Thetford Forest - Help! where am I?

You could easily get lost but thankfully I'm not. But I did hear and see a weird thing. I was getting closer to the caravan site when at first I thought I heard dogs barking at each other. But then the actual sound was more like foxes and they were actually answering each other.

As I got closer I could see a little deer barking like a fox and in the distance through the trees I could hear another one answering or calling it. As I stood there listening and watching the little deer started to head towards me barking all the time. Then just behind it came another little deer. Still through the trees the other deer was calling to the ones heading towards me.

It was then too much for Bobby my dog who had seen the deer very early on, he barked himself and if he wasn't on the lead he'd have gone on a chase. The little deers run off and disappeared into the woodland. It was fantastic!

The little deer were Muntjac Deer and it was a lovely site to see them walking and calling through the sunlit woodland. Bob thought so as well!

Once again Norfolk has given me another great experience.

Got a busy day tomorrow so I'm off to bed like my boy Jay has already done. Night.....

LONG LIVE NORFOLK

Well Norfolk,

I love it! Thetford Forest at the moment and what a beautiful part of old england.

Staying at the caravan clubs Thetford Forest site. www.caravanclub.co.uk
The Desert Rats tank was built here during the second world war and there is a walk around the uncovered areas where part of the base was, with information boards and photos. Also another claim to fame for the area is that some of 'Dads Army' was shot round here when the series was in its heyday! http://www.dadsarmy.co.uk/