Thursday 9th February 2023

Woke to alarm at 0730. Hauled myself out of bed to make tea, and stuck the Today Programme on. Descended for breakfast, and were met by Sam, the General Manager's mum, who prepared our continental style breakfast for us. It was vast! A large bowl of toasted granola with thick, creamy yoghurt, sliced banana and blueberries, toasted brown brown bread the size of doorstoppers, ham, salami, and chorizo, and pain au chocolat! We could hardly get back upstairs afterward. Packed our bags and checked out at 0930. Made another attempt at Foulsham...yesterday's road closure had been lifted, and we got there without difficulty, then headed eastward, stopping in Wroxham to use the facilities. The village is the centre of the Norfolk Broads holiday cruise empire. There's a huge car park bordering the marina, which is full of motor boats awaiting their tenants. The village is dominated by Roy's Department store, established in the village in 1895. Aki picked up a birthday present for Johnners. Got back in the car to pick up the last of my inspections in Hevingham, then turned for home. Stopped at the Elveden Estate farm shop and restaurant for lunch. There was a huge painting of a fellow in Indian garb on the wall, and I asked the waitress if it was her boss...it turned out to be Maharaja Duleep Singh, who had owned the place, having been parted from his mother by the invading British as a five year old, and brought to England and billeted with an Army surgeon. He became a favourite of Queen Victoria, who presumably granted him the Elveden Estate, and it seems he and his off-spring had much influence over Norfolk and Suffolk. Drove on home, getting back around 1700. Unpacked the car. I uploaded my photos and Aki warmed up the mapo, which we ate with rice, and green beans. Watched "Better Things" before bath and bed...