Day 298 - October 25th

Today we visited Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham. 130 acres of ancient woodland, gardens and a private broad. There were over 3 miles of woodland walks which we were able to explore.

Apparently these are Cornish Lilies - ironically they are not true lilies and they don't come from Cornwall!

Wooden bears were dotted around the woodlands for children to find. 

Boat trips are run daily on the broad and having got a taste for boating yesterday, we decided to take the 50 minute trip today around the broad, along the River Bure and past the historic ruins of St. Benet's Abbey.

It was very peaceful on the water and the driver pointed out things of interest as we went along.

St Benet's Abbey  was a medieval monastery but has been completely demolished except for the gatehouse and the windpump later built onto it. The Bishops of Norwich have remained abbots of the abbey to this day and we were told that once a year the Bishop of Norwich arrives at the ruins in a wherry boats and conducts a service.

After out boat trip we continued to explore the woodlands and gardens.

Everywhere was looking very autumnal with lots of fungi to be found.