NORFOLK SHOWGROUND

Summer road trip 2026

On Wednesday 15th July we left home just before 6pm to begin our journey.  Unable to leave home earlier I was still determined to cover as many miles as i could.  After a very brief stop at Exeter to see Luke and Clair we headed on up the A303.  It was a good road with no holdups.  I was very pleased when we finally went on the M3 and then the M25.

I was amazed at how much traffic was on the M25 but it was still free flowing but they seemed to want to limit it to 50 mph.  Once on the M11 we finally reached our stop for the night.  It was a service station called Birchanger Green   and we were pleased to have reached our stop for the night.  It was just before midnight.

16th July 2026

So here we are at last, fully parked not too far from the arena on Norfolk Showground.  Long Journey but not a bad one, traffic was light and we made good time.  Our milage after the complete journey stands at 18999.  The showground is already looking very full.

So as  you can see from the map the Norfolk showground is huge.  We are camped in the blue area which is quite close to the stalls but a bit of a walk from the entertainment.

We have had a lazy day around the van.  We did go for a walk around earlier to help loosen up Leighs back which has been causing her a lot of pain.  We have put out the awning and now also the windbreak.  It will give us some outdoor private space.

We managed to crack the best kept secret tonight in finding the evening entertainment.  Its going to be a Rock and Roll evening.

We had two bands.  As it was a rock and roll night it was very high energy and really very good but of course you do tend to get some duplication.

Friday 17th July 2026

So after another very good sleep we got up and had a shower.  After breakfast we decided to tour the varous stalls and were surprised at the number of Vans and Motor Homes that were displayed.  Lots of second hand ones as well.  We saw a 2008 Auto-trail Delaware that was going for £35,995.  

We have thrown caution to the wind and made what can only be described a massive purchase.  We bought 10 heavy duty tent pegs for our new windbreak.

Here we have a photo of Sheila Mark 2. Perfection comes at a price.  Due to her inability to eat too much of the wrong things a simple bi product of this has been significant weight loss.  What we are left with is a slimmer more healthy looking Leigh.  

So the entertainment tonight starts with Sharlene Spitari who used to sing in the group Texas but is now in her own tribute band Ultimate Texas.  She was okay but no better than that.

The Britt Pop Boys

This was a group of lads with lots of energy and a good choice of music from the 1990,s and 2000.  I was surprised at how much I liked them but of course they were performing the best songs of their era.

Saturday18th July 

Woke up quite late this morning to a grey sky and a nip in the air.  It rained a little bit just before we went into the big top for our lunchtime music.

This was by a duo called the 'Beale Street Brothers.  They were high energy Rock and Roll and very good.  They really got the crowd going and my only critism of them was that the singer spent a lot of the time singing to his brother on the organ with his back to 50% of the audience.  

Having said that we both thought they were great.

Although the day started out dull and grey the sun has now come out and we are taking advantage of our outdoor space.  Sitting down with a good book and a Pimms seems just right.

So the wind has picked up a bit and we have been a little worried about the awning.  At first i tried several times to get a screw anchor into the ground but the earth is too dry with too many stones so we had to by a different one that can be hammered into the ground.  We have finally got our new storm straps in place.

The rachet allows you to tighten the strap and the spring gives just enough movement to prevent something snapping.  I am very proud of my work and now feel confident nothing nasty is going to surprise me with a sudden gust of wind.

So the entertainment for this evening starts with DMF who are into techno and anthems.  I am sure they are very good but just in the wrong place.  Considering most of the audience is 60 plus the music does not seem to quite grab their attention.  We did however get a very short exert of 'no,no,no theres no limit.

The next act is a lady who had a few hits in the 90,s called Angie Brown.  She is from south London with the accent that goes with it.

She knows how to work an audience but the music is just not us.  It would be more suited to a disco.  Still we all have our own likes and dislikes.

This group is called Disco Classical.

This next group were just a bit bizarre.  They had four girls with violins and then two in bikinis.  These two did nothing but dance.  They played disco music and there must have been at least a dozen of them.

We stayed for a while but then decided it was not worth having a late night so left.  The evenings entertainment was a real disapointment however I did find somewhere to plug in and charge the scooter,  so not all bad. 

Sunday 19th July 2026.

We have had a walk around and are now in the big top waiting for the lunchtime entertainment. 

River Rea Duo

Just listened to the first set and now they have gone off for a quick break.  These lads have a lot of energy and are using it well. Their music is mainly 80's like Madness and Bad Manners.  They are very good so we will stay for the next set.

This is the last evenings entertainment we will have here as we will be leaving here tomorrow.  The first group on is going to be the outsiders.

They are a rock and roll band singing songs from the 50's.

So this is a tribute band called Complete Madness, I think the clue is in the title.  I am looking forward to this group as I expect them to be very good.

Yes a very good act and a nice one to finish the weekend.  It has been really good and having taken down our windbreak and put the awning away we will not have too much to do tomorrow when we leave.

20th July 2026 Kings Forest Camping Site

Having left the showground we have now driven 43 miles down the road to a site called Kings Forest Park Camping site.  Its just a stones throw away from Thetford.  Its situated in a forest and is very peaceful.

Tuesday 21st July 2026 

Very relaxing day today.  This park is just so quiet, the only noise is the occasional vehicle bringing or collecting a horse.  They seem to do good business here.  I will take in the awning as we shall be leaving here tomorrow.

Wednesday 22nd July 2026 Brighthouse camping site.

So having left the site we only had a short journey to our next site.  As we needed to get some money and some groceries we called into a tescos.  Parking was quite difficult but i parked in the far corner and within 10 minutes I was joined by others.

When we arrived at Brighthouse it was to find that the pitches are scattered around what is obviously a working farm.  So where we are is a small corner with just room enough for the two of us.  There are about five electric hookups but it would need to be just tents for them all to be used.

We have a lot of privacy here and perfect silence.  

So in this picture we can see a tent.  This is where Henry is sleeping.  As Millie is with them she is sleeping in the van.

This trailer is where Jacob is sleeping.  As you can see its very cosy and they seem to like it.

They have been playing on Jacobs scooter and as you can see they both fit on it very well.

Thursday 23rd July 2026

Today we caught a bus into Bury St Edmunds.  We had a good walk around.  Both Sheila and I bought a book in waterstones.

Bury St Edmunds is a nice little town with a good mix of shops.  I did not see any empty shops nor did I see any Charity shops.

Friday 24th July 2026

So today is our last day here at Brightside.  We are planning to have a  BBQ and then later this afternoon we will walk to the pub.

We had a lovely time at the pub.  I had two pints of Guiness which I was told later was zero alcohol which did not bother me at all.  I drink it because its refreshing on a hot day not to get drunk.

Saturday 25th July 2026 Henlow camp site.

So we have now left Brightside and its about 60 miles to our next stop.

We have now arrived and set up in Henlow.  Its a nice looking site with things going on for children.

To end the day we had a cheese and wine party which was very nice.

Sunday 26th July 2026

Today we are going to catch a train into Stevenage to have a look around.  The weather is cooler today but still quite hot.  The forecast says it might rain.

Never far from a drama when we get to the station we find we are on the wrong side of the station.  The only way across is via a footbridge which is clearly a no go.  As we can not get to the platform British Rail have ordered for us a taxi.

Whilst in Stevenage we saw a hindu festival taking place and they were dragging this through the street.

Well that was exciting, a train ride at least in one direction.  I do like to go on a train at least once every 10 years or so. I think my last train ride was in Monaco in 2016.

Monday 27th July 2026

Just finished our breakfast sat outside.  It is cool at the moment but looks like it is going to be another hot day.  The girls and boys are going swimming today but I am staying behind.

Our van is behaving itself and we are both very comfortable in it.

We shall be having a BBQ again tonight as the weather is so good.  

Tuesday 28th July 2026

So this morning we went to a presentation on small mammals, snakes and Insects. The young lady who gave the presentation was very good and ensured that every child that wanted to, handled them.

This afternoon we all went back into stevenage.  This time we were able to find a walkway to the other side of the station and onto the right platform.

While we were in town we went into Warren James.  I must have been in a very good mood because at long last I allowed myself to buy Leigh a new Engagement ring, a 1 carat solitaire diamond.  It really does look lovely on her hand.

I had a lovely chat with Jacob tonight he was asking about my time in the navy . I told him about the collision we had with the Olympic Alliance.  She was a 227,000 ton tanker which we hit in dense fog in the English Channel.

Wednesday 29th July 2026

So its 09.30 and already the sun is incredibly hot.  Another baking day but I am not complaing.  We had such a long wet winter we deserve this summer.  This reminds me of the summers we had as children.

In the afternoon we met three young Alpaccas.  They were lovely and we were allowed to walk them. I was only able to walk mine a short way but it was lovely.

Leigh loves Alpaccas so was very quick to get in amongst them.

Monday 30th July 2026 Santa Pod Race Track

We left the campsite this morning and headed off to Santa Pod.  This is a rally for Petrolheads with fast cars and lots of loud music.  There is a fairground here as well.

We got all set up will walk over to see the layout although not much happening tonight as today is really set up day.

We are set up side by side and have put both our wind breaks up to enclose our pitch.

Friday 31st July 2026

So today we went across to see some track racing.  Its drag racing, ( called run what you brung) to see whose car is the fastest over a quarter of a mile.  These are basically souped up road cars and most will be driven home after the weekend.  The fastest we saw was 176mph.

They also have a track for drifting and donuts.  There is a course laid out with cones and they are racing against the clock.  Very clever with a few tyres blowing.

Saturday 1st August 2026

We stayed in the van yesterday evening as Leighs hip was really bothering her.  I think its slightly better today but we will see how the day goes on.  So again we have fantastic weather.  Its not even 10 am and its already very hot.

Lots more fast cars today so we will make our way over to the track .

Here we have a 24 year old Rover 75 ready for a burnout.  Chained to a tractor it has to outlast the other guy which it did.  The black car caught fire so the rover won.

Here we have a 20 year old Nissan Navara Outlaw which actually moved the tractor a bit.

We are now going to settle down and watch the film Pearl Harbour.  

Sunday 2nd August 2026

So more of the same today, with this being the last day of car fun.  The event finishes at 17.00 today.  We will hopefully not have to leave until tomorrow as the traffic getting out of here will be crazy.  

There must be thousands of people here this weekend and as you can see hundreds of tents.

Motorhomes are in the smallest category.  However the largest category has to be the cars, plenty of boy racers but also plenty of serious car nerds.

Monday 3rd August 2026 Bridgehouse Camp Site

We left Santa Pod this morning just after breakfast.  We followed Gary for a few  miles before splitting up as they had to drop Jacob and Millie off at the railway station.

It was about 80 miles to Bridgehouse Campsite so we made a stop on the way to get here at lunchtime.  

It is not very busy which is the way I like it.  Gary has just arrived having been diverted via Cheltenham due to a fire on the M5.

We went across the field to get to the local pub.  It was very busy and we had a lovely time.  I wanted a guiness but they did not sell it so I had to have a local Stout.  It was not bad so i ended up having two pints.

Tuesday 4th August 2026

The weather today is warm but overcast.  It is due to rain at about midday so we are going to walk across to Letchlade and have a look around.

Very pleased with this photo, we had to go under the bridge to cross the road.

We went into a cafe in the town and we saw a small pile of these chairs.  The last time Leigh sat in one of these she was five.

She had to try it out to see how it felt.

Leigh found the Christmas shop we went into around 18 years ago. This rheindeer is missing an eye which made her fall in love with it. As usual she had to buy something. Its a bit of a ritual now, no matter what time of year, if she sees a Christmas shop she cannot leave empty handed.

The town does not have many shops but is nevertheless very charming with most of the buildings built from this very pale Cottswold stone.  I thought this particular house was very grand.

This dear little girl is a mallard duck.  She was oblivious to the fact I was watching her.

This duck is also a mallard but in this case she is a hybrid.  This means a mix between wild and domestic.  She is therefore known as a 'Manky Mallard'.

Wednesday 5th August 2026 West Middlewick Farm

We have now arrived at our last stop which is West Middlewick Farm near Tiverton.  Weather is cooler today which is a bit of relief as it has been so hot at night.  The drive down from Bridge house was 127 miles but traffic was quite light.  We will stay here until Saturday before going home.

Thursday 6th August 2026

This is the view from our pitch.  Its so very quiet here, the farm is still very untidy but then farms usually are.

This is an unusual car as its a Vauxhall Corsa Cabriolet.

So here we have one of my favourite animals.  She is quite a big girl.

Pigs are lazy creatures and spend a lot of there time just lying around.

Just been up for a coffee, and had a good look around the shop.  

Friday 7th August 2026

So Gary and Chrissie have now left us to head home.  Gary has to go down to Redruth to get Jack so needed the extra time to do so.  Leigh and I have just been up to the shop for a late breakfast.  We will just laze around today and then aim to leave quite early tomorrow.

Leigh and I have just been up to the shop for a late breakfast.  We will just laze around today and then aim to leave quite early tomorrow.

Twice a day we watch the girls walk up to get milked and then walk back again.  Its really cute to watch.