Run of just under the hour to ‘tee off’ for a breakfast at Thetford Golf Club. Having fuelled up with a full English we set off for Gooderstone Water Gardens. The Street, Gooderstone PE33 9BP. Entry approx £9pp (Seniors £8.25). This should be a half hour run.
Billy Knights, a retired farmer began designing and creating the Water Gardens in 1970 in his 70th year. The site was a damp meadow which became too wet for cattle to graze.
Mr Knights’s son jokingly suggested he should have a water garden, which prompted him to draw out plans (on the back of a piece of wallpaper) and he soon had machines in, digging out the ponds and waterways. He worked on his garden with love and enthusiasm until he died aged 93. For over 20 years the gardens had been open to the public.
Both Billy and his wife Florence loved their gardens and sharing them with others. With this in mind and as a tribute to her parents Coral began restoration in April 2002. Having been unattended and closed for five years the gardens had become quiet derelict. However, they were re-opened again in June 2003.
< Paint the bridge green and this could be Giverny.
A short detour to Barton Bendish completes our visits for this day. Here you will see probably what is the most historic church in Norfolk. The name Barton Bendish means ‘Barton (outlying settlement) inside the ditch’ referring to the ‘Devil’s Ditch’, which seems to have formed part of a defensive work controlling movements along the Roman road running past Fincham, the east- west route across Norfolk from the Fens to the port at Caister- by- Yarmouth. The ditch itself dates from the post-Roman period. Its relatively isolated position and recently thatched roof, now a rarity in this part of Norfolk, but probably the original mediaeval covering, lend it considerable charm. The present building is mainly in the early 14th century style.
Although we may get ‘Tea on’ at the water garden a detour to Lyndford Arboretum before making our way home might be a preferred option with refreshments at the Shepherds Baa. The arboretum is home to a range of tree species but conifers predominate. The flowering fruit trees will be over by August but fir trees will provide dappled shade which will be welcome on a hot summer’s day. It is a haven for bird life with Hawfinches being a star species in winter time.
Meet 9.15am B&Q South off Hall Road Norwich NR4 6FB for 9.30 departure. Breakfast eta 10.30am at IP24 3NE. Leaving about 11.30/45am for Gooderstone eta 12.00/12.15pm. Leave about 1.30pm for Barton Bendish just 12 minutes away for a brief ‘look & learn’ before making our way to the Shepherds Baa for tea & trees. Departing mid-afternoon for our home run of about 45 mins on the B1108/Watton Road to West Norwich, at the B1108/A47 junction. As usual members can peel off enroute or find a more direct route for home.
Let me know if you’d like to join this run, thanks.
- David & Rosemary
- Kevin & Tamsin (meet at Golf Club about 10.30am)
- Laurie
- Pete
- Jilly (meet at Golf Club 10.30am)
- Phil & Rona (meet at Golf Club 10.30am)
- Allan & Jan (meet at Golf Club 10.30am)
- Mark
- Peter & Allie (meet at Golf Club 10.30am)
- John & Penny (meet at Golf Club 10.30am)
Am visiting Monets garden next week so will be able to compare 
we are cruising down the Seine starting in Paris but not spending time in Paris until after our return and the hoards have left.