Radioactive Fish & Chips.

[Grumpy]

Who fancies a run to the coast with a twist?!
I'm planning to visit Orford Ness on Saturday the 18th of august, with a fish & chip lunch to boot.
Oxford Ness was a top secret base run by the MOD....have a read of the link.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/orford-ness-national-nature-reserve

I'm planning a cross country run, starting in Brandon. The idea is to start with breakfast at Danniis Cafe for 9am, then heading off to Orford, aiming to arrive for about 12.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g804428-d12125719-Reviews-Dannii_s_Diner-Brandon_Suffolk_East_Anglia_England.html

Once there, hop on the ferry to The Ness, have a nose, then head back to Orford, we can then head to Aldbourgh for fish & Chips.

Who's game?!

[buzzbomb]

There was a program on tv recently about Orford Ness which I found very interesting so have a good day James and be sure to take plenty of pics
Ho and enjoy the fish and chips.

[Mr Gazza]

Gutted that I missed a program about Orford ness! It's fascinated me since I was a kid, and I've never been!

Really looking forward to this. The first time we've had a boat trip on a club run as far as I know?
If you are a National trust member, you will get a discount on the boat ticket.

This replaces what would have been the August Sunday breakfast meet for what seems to have become the Norfolk/Suffolk section. (note that it's on a Saturday though..)

Looking forward to seeing some of the new crowd again.

Grumpy
Mr Gazza

[uncle duke]

Hi
Been across to the Ness many a time can be a bit resrictive..don't do this don't do that don't go there this bits closed etc & i don't like the way they let really important things like the fantastic look out tower collapse & the coastguard look out building has all but fallen down ..& as for the lighthouse don't get me started !!! managed decline they call it...right thats the rant out of the way...oh one final thing the walk to what was once the remains of the Cobra Mist aerials may well be closed but still interesting enough if you follow 'THE RULES' perhaps i just don't like being told what to do..after paying my money !!

[Mr Gazza]

Rules are for the guidance of wise men, and the obedience of fools.. :chuckle:

[uncle duke]

I preferred it when you could just nip across & have the place to yourself...

[Goldstar]

WX permitting, count me in please....

[Mr Gazza]

:thumbsup:

Grumpy
Mr Gazza
Goldstar

[Jez900ie]

I just watched this and thought of you guys.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-suffolk-45143431/orfordness-lighthouse-volunteers-battle-against-the-sea

[DaveR]

I'm going to come along for the trip over to the Ness, I'll meet you there around 12.
If there is anyone else planning to come up from Ipswich way we could arrange to meet somewhere. Let me know

Dave

[Grumpy]

I'm going to come along for the trip over to the Ness, I'll meet you there around 12.
If there is anyone else planning to come up from Ipswich way we could arrange to meet somewhere. Let me know

Dave

Great, see you there :biggrin:

Grumpy
Gaza's
Gold star
DaveR

[Goldstar]

Going to have to cancel, got some problem with getting the bike to idle correctly, so its off to the menders Saturday...

[Mr Gazza]

Any more going to join us on Saturday, for this excellent and off centre run.... Weather is looking just right for a wander over the Ness.

[Mr Gazza]

Thanks to Grumpy for laying on this meet.
It was a very pleasant bimble to Brandon on empty roads, for breakfast at Dannii's Diner.
Grumpy found some nice roads down to Orford, including the fabulous b1116.
We met up with DaveR at Orford, who arrived literally seconds after us.

Orford is a very pleasant little village, which doesn't ask much of you, and we were soon on the boat over to the Ness.
It's a wild, mysterious and desolate place... And quite large too, which implies lots of walking in bike gear, carrying what can't be worn!
Sadly Grumpy had to return home before getting the opportunity to trudge over several acres of gravel, but Dave and I soldiered on.

https://s22.postimg.cc/udchj3t0h/pagodas.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
The pagodas can be seen from the harbour. This is taken about half way between the village and the pagodas.

https://s22.postimg.cc/io8hv8wxt/lighthouse.jpg (https://postimages.org/)[/url]
Once on the gravel spit, the Lighthouse stands out. Twisted metal is strewn about the entire site, together with concrete blocks and remnants of it's former use.
The lighthouse is soon to be claimed by the Sea. Erosion is very evident around the base.

[url=https://postimages.org/]https://s22.postimg.cc/w6fe76tk1/cobra_mist_building.jpg (https://postimages.org/app)
https://s22.postimg.cc/58lh5hbht/sizewell.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Off to the North, the enormous and ominous "Cobra Mist" building, sitting near the semi-circle of massive aerials...Far too far to walk today though.
Also in the distance beyond Cobra Mist is Sizewell Nuclear Power station.

https://s22.postimg.cc/pu08xmdpt/pagodas_distant.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
It's a bleak and desolate place on a vast scale.... Much like the Cold War itself!
Looking towards the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment's bizarre structures across acres of bomb pocked gravel.

https://s22.postimg.cc/ex3imfga9/pagodas_2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
This was as close as we could get to the pagodas, still nearly half a mile distant on full zoom, the foreground structure is about half way between us and the pagoda.

Smashing, if exhausting day out. Thanks again to Grumpy for coming up with this one, such a shame more didn't take this up.. maybe another go at it one day?

The Cherry on the cake was a glorious ride home up the virtually empty B1116 and stayed on B roads all the way to Norwich.
(note to self.. factor the B1116 into more ride outs.)

[Grumpy]

Thanks guys for a cracking day out, and apologies i bunked off early.
The Ness is such a tranquil place with fascinating history surrounded by stunning scenery plus a rich variety of wild life.
I agree with you Gary, the B1116 is a good'n!
My ride home was quick and frustating! I was within 5 miles of home, when, I came across an accident which had closed the road. Ploice, fire brigade and ambulance in attendance, hopefully nobody seriously injured.
The up shot from my perspective was, due to local road works closing the next couple of roads heading towards Peterborough, my detour was 20 miles and 40 minutes!!
Maybe another run out to Orford in the near future?

[Mr Gazza]

Maybe another run out to Orford in the near future?

Yep. We should go back and try to winkle out some more of those Suffolk members, there are quite a few in the Dipswitch area.
Impressed that there was still elbow room in Orford in peak season.

Forgot to thank Dave for guiding me to my turn off to Wickham market, where we met a long convoy of wobbly hardly dangerous riders getting lost. I only had to follow them to the A12 making lots of noise and not much go.. :chuckle:

[uncle duke]

That would be ' the trip out' it was on this w/e near Woodbridge ..I saw loads on the A14 on Friday I thought they were way out & groovy man.some real old skool bikes..if u go again to 'the ness' I'll join the run but can't bring myself to pay money to the national trust ..

[uncle duke]

The alternative is to visit the orfordness lighthouse trust website & go on one of their tours of the lighthouse which includes return(of course) trip across by boat walk to lighthouse on same paths as NT ,tour of lighthouse & climb stairs to the top (for the brave) with the fantastic views all for about £3

[DaveR]

Was a really good trip over to Orford Ness, Gasa's pictures do sum up the place very well, a strange place with a deserted atmosphere, despite the smattering of people around.
Good to see Gasa & Grumpy again, would certainly do another trip there.
I'm glad you were able to negotiate the HD riders without too much trouble.

Dave

[Mr Gazza]

The alternative is to visit the orfordness lighthouse trust website & go on one of their tours of the lighthouse which includes return(of course) trip across by boat walk to lighthouse on same paths as NT ,tour of lighthouse & climb stairs to the top (for the brave) with the fantastic views all for about £3

That's not a bad idea Uncle.

http://www.orfordnesslighthouse.co.uk/

We'll have to pull some fingers out if we're going to do it this year the only dates remaining are Sunday 16th sept and Sunday 7th oct. It say's you can't buy tickets in advance and yet also says that the last August date is fully booked... So not sure how that works?

Not sure if next year will be an option, having seen the erosion on the seaward side. I think one good tide would have it lying on the beach like a big stripy whale!!

The boat is £3.50 and sets sail at 1.30pm. So plenty of time for chips beforehand. (Cue Road Captain Grumpy.. )

If anyone is interested I will mail the trust and try to get a group booking. (for sept 16th.)

[Grumpy]

Captain Grumpy is available to sail to chip shops on the 7th of October!
I'm off to foreign lands over the weekend of the 16th.....Belgium beckons with the promise of classic light weight Italian bikes, ww1 stuff and beer!! Oh, and mustn't forget the frites:biggrin:

[Darkness]

Captain Grumpy is available to sail to chip shops on the 7th of October!
I'm off to foreign lands over the weekend of the 16th.....Belgium beckons with the promise of classic light weight Italian bikes, ww1 stuff and beer!! Oh, and mustn't forget the frites:biggrin:

What?, no moules?

[Grumpy]

What?, no moules?

I prefer the hash chaval!

[Rascall]

I worked for a company that did work on Orford Ness in the 80's - We inspected and maintained the towers - there were 4 in a row if I remember correctly. Ive been in the big windowless building too at some point. The place has a real feel of the cold war about it

Russell

[uncle duke]

Oops just checked both dates & its holiday in sept then away in oct !! so not much use there, i'm sure if we have a mild kind winter the lighthouse will still be there for next year & if Gazza & crew like it then perhaps a return in 2019 an early year check of the trusts website should give a good few dates that would be good .Have fun everyone

[Mr Gazza]

I'm getting a fair bit of interest in the October 7th date.
I'm also hatching a plan to meet at the Roman Camp at Stoke Holy Cross and do a run down the entire B road Fantasia.

I will be starting another thread for this shortly.

[Kingfisher88]

I think I'll be game for this too :)

[Mr Gazza]

I have contacted the Trust and reserved 6 places on the 7th oct trip.
More places are available at time of posting this, on a first come first served basis.

Tickets should be bought (for £3.50) at 1pm on the Quay.
The boat sails at 1.30pm and returns at 4.30pm.

I'm planning to meet at the car park at Venta Icenorum, Stoke Holy Cross, for a run down to Orford on those magnificent B roads mentioned above. There will be pick up points on the way through.
We should probably leave at about 10.30am to fit in some chips before the boat trip?

Unfortunately this clashes with the Copdock show and is also weather dependant.

let's see who's interested.

[Kingfisher88]

Would it be possible to bring a plus 1 to meet us there in the car? Could be somewhere good to put the gear, although it's only a Suzuki swift so fairly small. Missus loves Orford and i got evils when I said I was gonna go...

[Mr Gazza]

That would be spot on Kingfisher.
The lovely Lydia from the Lighthouse Trust said she might be able to sort something out for stashing bike gear, but if Mrs Kingfisher can bring a Swift then so much the better.

My Brother-in-law is also up for this, making a party of four.
So this trip could be on, if the weather is not too unkind.

Kingfisher88 + 1
Mr Gazza + 1

[Kingfisher88]

Sweet. Looking forward to it :)

[Cobra88]

I would have done this one

But sadly dont go on here much these days.

I go to Orford quay weekly on bike or in my VW t25
Love the place

Regards
Rick

[Mr Gazza]

Rick, the Lighthouse trip is still to come, so you haven't missed it.
I'll drop you a PM.

[Mr Gazza]

I've just had a mail from the lovely Lydia of the Lighthouse Trust to say that the trip is fully booked up now. Our 6 places are confirmed.

That leaves one place still free…. If anyone else wants to jump onto this please shout soon, as if it's not taken I will offer it back to the Trust. They have a waiting list.

Kingfisher88 + 1
Mr Gazza + 1
Cobramist88

[Cobra88]

Haha 😁 Very funny

Regards
Rick

[Mr Gazza]

Anyone else interested in this?
There is one place left on the boat. I will hold this until Monday evening and then surrender it back to the Lighthouse trust, if not taken.

Note that DaveR is also trying to get a meet together for the Copdock Show on the same date. http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=56892

[Mr Gazza]

Cobramist has sadly had to drop out, so there are now two free places on the boat.
As above please let me know by Monday evening if you want to jump in on this.
Otherwise I will give the reserved places back to the Trust for their waiting list.

[Kingfisher88]

Weathers lookibg ok for sunday providig the rain from sat doesnt come in later than expected. What time do you think we will get to orford? Just so I can let the missus know what time to get there for.

[Mr Gazza]

Just worked out the timings, so I'll mail you an itinerary.

[Mr Gazza]

Sorry Kingfisher, I thought I had your email address.... You have a PM.

[Kingfisher88]

Was a great day out on some fantastic roads and an interesting trip to the lighthouse. Thanks
Mr Gazza for organising it. Was great fun :)

[Mr Gazza]

Thanks Kingfisher88 and to Mrs Kingfisher too, for your excellent company, thanks for the use of Mrs kingfisher's car to stash our gear too.. :biggrin:

It was a smashing ride, down just over 50 miles of Norfolk and Suffolk's best. In very clement weather. Thankfully dry after the previous days soaking.... Even my still wet gloves didn't spoil a great run.

Very amusing to see Mrs Kingfisher's over-exitedness on the boat ride.. :chuckle:

Goldilocks conditions over on the Ness with little wind, warm enough to leave the jacket behind and cool enough to walk briskly without overheating.

One of the larger pieces of shrapnel.. Possibly a depth charge?
https://i.postimg.cc/7PnVXkcp/orford_1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

So tempted to claim this as a selfie, lying on the beach..!
https://i.postimg.cc/qvzxkCRT/orford_2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

The erosion is evident in this one. The high water mark is now behind the Lighthouse. The black bags have saved it so far. It now sits on it's own short little promontory.
https://i.postimg.cc/K8wr4vkg/orford_3.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Looking up. The floor visible has two opposing windows, one Green, one Red. A light in the centre sent a coloured beam in each direction to aid navigation, This was introduced when the other lighthouse of the pair was washed away.
https://i.postimg.cc/xTdKRbLz/orford_4.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Spooky as ever, the Pagodas in the distance, from the light room.
https://i.postimg.cc/HL1cfJ83/orford_5.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Looking back towards Orford from the light room. The criss-cross glazing bars can be seen in this shot, cast from Bronze, the glazed top weighs 8 1/2 tons and is sitting on blocks all ready to be lifted off by a Chinook in a big hurry if the tower looks ready to topple... It's the only bit they can save.
https://i.postimg.cc/Pxrxj1Xb/DSCF6874.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Smashing day all round.... Earmark this one as a destination next year when folks diaries are less full.. :thumbsup:

[Grumpy]

Looks like a cracking day out!
I'm definitely up for next year.

[Darkness]

For you lovers of Orford Ness, you may enjoy this:

https://www.waterstones.com/book/ness/robert-macfarlane/stanley-donwood/9780241396568

I’ve read a couple of his other books (The Old Ways and Holloway) and quite enjoyed them.

[Mr Gazza]

Nice find Darkness, I might give that a look.
Seems very wordy and verbose if the review is anything to go by. Perhaps not for anyone who suffers from Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.

[Darkness]

What, the fear of misspelling the fear of long words?

There’s only meant to be one “p” in the quiped bit.

:biggrin:

[Mr Gazza]

I have no fear..
The extra "p" depends on which dictionary you look it up in.

Anyway, my Thesaurus has been stolen!...
I just can't find the words to describe how I feel.