Finally Dolly and I managed to get out for a decent walk.

Life had meant it had been a while since our last “proper” walk. Dolly and I were owed a chance to get out and destress in nature.

We decided to return to Shouldham Warren. The last time we had been here we had started to head off towards the abbey remains. However we had to abandon that effort due to the heat. What we didn’t know at that point was we were about to enter into the first of the summers heatwaves that hit the UK.

It seemed right that we return and complete our mission.

The woodland on our left that we didn’t make it to the previous time was most definitely planted by man. The trees were too neatly in rows. I imagine at some point the landowner will turn this lovely woodland into cash.

Sadly when we got to the river Nar the banks were too steep for Dolly to have a paddle. Luckily I had a long enough camera stick to take the under water footage in the video below.

But the big surprise was the diving board into the river. A visual inspection of the water did indeed confirm that this was a most excellent spot for a diving board. Plus the diving board was secured to the ground with some serious big spikes. Which told me that this was a popular spot for locals.

I have to admit I was tempted to jump in. But it would have been unfair on Dolly leaving her on the side while I enjoyed a swim.

But the river Nar reminded me of bygone years when as a young lad we would swim in similar rivers at Santon Downham. That was a more carefree time.

I did shoot some video too while we were out. I even got to try one or two outdoor YouTube tropes. I don’t know how they do them for their videos. It was a right pain especially the walking towards the camera.

I even managed (after checking the video) to capture the big fish in the river near to the swimming hole.

Lunch was the usual ramen and a mug of coffee. Dolly had beef billatong and a bowl of water. There might be a pleasant surprise for the lunch break next time we go out.

We had this sitting next to the idilic River Nar.

We didn’t actually make it to the abbey itself. We stopped at the crossing of the River Nar. It was basically a country lane to the abbey and that didn’t hold any appeal to me. Plus would we be able to look around for free. I know it’s used as a wedding venue. Which stinks of being charged and not being able to take Dolly in.

There was a good view of it from the river and where we stopped for lunch.

After refuelling we packed up and headed back the way we had come.

It had been good timing because as we got back to the car there was the odd spot of rain starting to fall.

Distance walked: 3.6 miles