so, in August 2023 - I deviated from the Way at a fork near Thompson Water, as I desperately needed a Full English, and went to Watton (fantastic Triumph dealership there btw) Found Adem's Cafe on the High Street ---- superb food and company! I then caught a local bus to Holme Hale, and with the kindness of a bloke cleaning his car there, found my way to the Maccas for a coffee that afternoon. Cleanest McDonalds I have ever been in. Slept by a small pond, in a tiny wood, down a rise, on the right behind a transport turning bay, 100 metres up a farm road, just 500 metres before the A1065 A 10/10 stealth/wild campsite. Got to Castle Acre Priory (a historical highlight of this walk, at 7am-ish and had a nice half hour exploring the site all alone). My advice, wander off the Way path from time to time. There are lots of interconnecting by ways and public paths.. People are very kind and helpful, the bin man who just finished his shift in Watton and helped me with bus details for instance, or the Fish & Chip shop owner who turned me away, pointing me to Adem's Cafe because I told him I was "dying for a Full English!". If you think I am mad for the Full English - yes I am. I travel 5,000 miles and walked the whole Cotswold Way, and never chanced upon one before mid-day - until Adem and his kind lady served me. Finally ---- FAR TOO MUCH road walking after the A47. Personally I'd not walk the second half of the Way. The first half is Beautiful though!

If you are patient and have eyes and legs, they are fine Fred.

Haha - glad you enjoyed it....eventually! Atb, Simon.

That McDonalds and the garage are a really useful refuelling stop! Remember to stock up on water in castle acre - the next section is dry! 👍💦

@@simonablokeinthewoods cheers mate, thanks for the advice.

Thank you Ken. 👍

Well worth it! It gets even better as you get towards the coast too, in my opinion - then there is the North Norfolk coastal footpath that links it to Cromer. Nice walk!! Atb, Simon.

I am planning to do both in the first two weeks of September, no fixed dates yet, I'm assuming the weather will be ok for sleeping out then? I'm in Wales, and that time of year here is pretty good, I would imagine Norfolk should be similar.

Really glad you enjoyed the walk! It’s gorgeous in Autumn - I’ve done the route in the Autumn and in winter - it’s completely different - muddy, but beautiful! Atb, Simon.

Thanks Martin!

Cheers Andy! There is a lot more of it to see - I just filmed what I could see from the fence (I was too much of a skinflint to pay the entrance fee!!) well worth a visit - the castle is free and just as impressive. Cheers mate!

Thanks Bob, glad you enjoyed it! I’m really look my forward to the coastal section next. Not done that leg before. Atb, Simon

Thank you - glad you enjoyed it! Atb, Simon.

Cheers! It was a lovely walk - highly recommend for lovely varied countryside, bags of history and quality stealth camp spots along the way! Atb, Simon

Thank you - it’s a lovely walk! Atb,Simon.

Nice place isn’t it - love the castle! There’s a great tea shop in the village too. Cheers, Simon.

Cheers Simon. I know they need a bit of tidying up to keep them healthy, but I do like to see them left to do their own thing - rambling and unkempt. 😁

Thank you! I think I probably will continue along the NN path, I’ve walked and cycled the Peddars way several times, but not the coastal path, so it would be a good opportunity! Glad you enjoyed the videos and thanks for watching! Atb, Simon.

My thought as well as I am enjoying this series of vid's keep them coming Simon

Cheers Trev, it is pretty flat, although we do get some rolling hills as the trail gets closer to the sea! But yes, I do crave proper hills! Atb, Simon.

Cheers James! I agree, it’s an interesting stretch especially the last bit into Castle Acre. Those big estates often own houses around the estate that used to house workers from the estate - many have been sold off over the years, so it’s nice in a way to come across an estate more or less intact - although some will disagree hahaha! Atb, Simon.

Cheers! Yes there certainly were - true craftsmanship - that’s been lost in the modern age - very few people are still practicing the old techniques. All done by eye, feel and instinct. Atb, Simon.

Thank you Veronika! Glad it brought back some happy memories. If I’m ever that way, I definitely will! 😁👍

Cheers Mike - you were right about that cyclist - I just heard this clicking sound, looked up and he shot past me in a blur of shiny metal and Lycra! Glad you enjoyed the walk. Take care, Simon.

Cheers Paul - I know the section, the hills do start to roll up there - almost doesn’t feel like Norfolk! It’s all good to the sea - you’ll enjoy it on your return. Atb, Simon.

Cheers James, yes, I know what you mean - it is surreal! I could still hear those bangs in Castle Acre - 12 miles or more away!! There is also a village in that training area - commandeered during the war - a sort of pockmarked, ghost town - eerie! Cheers, Simon.

Hahaha - cheers Jimmy!

Cheers Mark! Yes, it definitely was - it was tough on the legs (combination of hard surface and longer distance) but worth it for the sights along the way - arriving at that cool stream in castle acre to refresh before exploring the castle and priory - bliss!! Atb mate, Simon.

Yes lots of bliss around on the long walks. This one was good in sections. I've done a fair few - if your interested they are on my channel. I make some great videos and my commentary is engaging. A view or comment by you would be fantastic! Free will of course! Take care....

Cheers Robert! It certainly was a warm one!! There are plenty of amazing historical spots along the way, Castle Acre probably being the most impressive, but not the oldest - that’s to come!! Atb, Simon.

I'll look forward to that one.. Cheers 😀

If I’d known, I’d have given you a shout out! Nice to have Norfolk’s best footpath right on your doorstep! 👍

Simon, a bloke in the woods My family and I usually walk up to saint marys church which is in between north and south Pickenham

There is something very special about hugging an old tree! 👍🌳

The name is derived from the old word Pedde, meaning basket - this was on old drovers track and would have certainly been used by people carrying their wares and trade goods to sell in markets and other settlements - these wares being carried in baskets. That’s my theory anyway. 🙂👍

@@simonablokeinthewoods wikipedia has a different but no more possible answer en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peddars_Way

Lots of them around these parts. ‘What have the Romans ever done for us?’ 😂