Norfolk n' chance of a smooth journey...

Our last trip of 2011 was to Norfolk last weekend for the Annual Irish Family Camp.  Having secured Trevor's MOT first time around, it was smooth sailing all the way to Fakenham (bar traffic around Kings Lynn) and we were at the site late afternoon just as the rain set in for the evening.  It's at these moments though that being a campervanner really can make you smug - as everyone was grappling with their canvas shelters, we simply popped the top, got a brew on and started entertaining our baby.

looks like brolly weather again, Mum!

We had a few sleep related issues throughout the weekend mainly that our baby is now getting too big for 'The Coffin' sleeping arrangement and on Sunday night managed to flip over and get himself into a tizz as he couldn't get back over to get comfy. He ended up in with us, and somehow dominated the lion's share of the space in the double bed ("three in the bed, and the little one said...roll over..."). Hmph. 

Anyway Husband has decided to resolve this for next year  - apparently we can simply manufacture our own 'baby bunk' which will sit over the front driver/passenger seats, and we can curtain off the cab to give baby his very own bedroom. Some CFs were manufactured with this option and it sounds like it could work for us - more of that no doubt in a future post!


Coming back was a smooth journey until we got nearly home - we decided to pick up a curry from a local restaurant but no sooner had we collected our goodies, Trevor played up. The darned key barrel was being a pain again (it's sometimes tricky to turn the key, weirdly) and Husband couldn't get the camper started as the key just wouldn't fully rotate round. This was a problem - not just because we were nearly home, but because our curry was getting cold!

I suggested we pop the top, and sit down at the table with our dinner (bit random on a busy high street type place, with people milling around but when you gotta eat...) but Husband pressed on, whipping out a screwdriver (we have many to hand in the van), and taking off the steering column cover. He fiddled about and after another few gos, the key decided to turn. This seems completely random to me and he was scratching his head too. Who knows - something else to add to the list of "Things to sort out over Winter" I guess!

Just to round off this post, here's some great places we visited whilst around Fakenham:

Wiveton Hall Farm Cafe - a brilliant brunch, baby friendly and a load of fruit to pick if you're inclined. Cakes were fabulous too.

The Fish Shed - in Brancaster, a really lovely fresh fish shop which also has veg, herbs, bread and other lovely things. We got a whole grey mullet from here for our BBQ and it was awesome! (great cooking advice given for free)

Splash swimming pool in Sheringham - great fun, well set up for babies - although the wave machine was a bit scary for our boy...