A11 to Thompson Water and return

We parked in the same place as last week, by the quiet road from the A11 to Bridgham, but this time we went north, crossing the A11 and then the Ely to Norwich railway line. We crossed attractive heathland then (after passing barking dogs and smelly chicken farms) we reached the pretty village of Stonebridge (also known as East Wretham).

We followed a straight military road out of the village, past some lovely houses, with horses and attractive countriside. After Galley Hill the road became a pretty track, passing through army firing ranges. The guidebook describes these firing ranges as an enigma. The land was requisitioned by the military in the 1940s so no-one lives here (around 1000 people were rehoused) but the area has become a haven for wildlife. There was some shooting going on, despite the rain and the fact that it was a Sunday, but it was very attractive countriside.

We reached Thompson Water (formed in the 19th Century by the flooding of a tributory of the River Wissey) and found a way down to the lake. It was very peaceful and pretty, and we ate our lunch sitting on a bench here.

We retraced our steps to the car in the car. Just after crossing the A11, we were amused by a field of black and white sheep (eating the Hawthorn) - and just one pig!

Following leg of path