King's Lynn bus station
The official start - South Quay, King's Lynn
Fingerpost and waymarker
Fingerpost and waymarker, King's Lynn
The River Nar joins the tidal River Great Ouse
River Nar just before the tidal sluice
The first mile-or-so. Not very interesting - or pleasant.
Under the A47
... and things start to look a bit better ...
Typical open riverside stretch as we leave King's Lynn behind
Still a typical embanked river - but plenty of shade here
A good year for hawthorn berries
Overgrown path approaching the railway line, beyond West Winch
Dark and dingy under the railway line ...
... then back to typical wide open fenland spaces
Road bridge and Environment Agency gauging station, Setchey
More open country - and embanked fen river
Lots of swans
...
Approaching High Bridge ...
... and a spot of lunch.
River Nar looking more natural now
More swans
Some examples of river restoration and habitat creation ...
... between Blackborough and Pentney ...
Remains of Pentney Abbey gatehouse in the background
More good work to creating a more natural river
...
... even creating a riffle ...
Oh my Word ... a veritable torrent !!
Unusual style for this gate
Altogether a different river as we approach Marham
Marham Intake
Definitely a more natural river now
Restoring the Narborough Bone Mill
...
Now we're talking. More like a proper SSSI now.
Looking downstream from the road bridge at Narborough ...
... and the impressive trout
Narborough Mill
Nice stretch of river through Bradmoor Plantation
Track leading to ...
... West Acre ...
... and the gatehouse to a former Augustinian abbey ...
.. and 13th century church.
Back to the River Nar
Grazing marshes approaching Castle Acre
Recently been cut for hay ?
The final push to Castle Acre
The River Nar is now definitely a proper, natural, river
13th century Bailey Gate, Castle Acre
Church Gate B&B, our overnight stop in Castle Acre
Last few remains of the castle
Leaving Castle Acre(and the River Nar)
A pleasnt woodland stroll to ...
Newton Mill
Herding a creche of young pheasants
East Lexham
Time for a quick rest and water stop.
Litcham Common ...
... home to lots of ponies ...
.. and a very lovely place to wander
Outdoor pigs at Grenstein Farm
An inquisitive on-looker
Almost there. Time for a quick water-and-winegum stop before the last few hundred yards to ....
... the end of the Nar Valley Way. Now we just have to get to Dereham to catch the bus back home.
Headwaters of the River Wensum
Pleasant wooded track on the Wensum Way
Then literally acres of blackcurrant bushes