Feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep in the bed that was as comfortable as it looked, it was time for breakfast. There were interesting and unusual options on the menu. I opted for the American style pancakes with fruit compote and when it arrived the portion was huge. As other dishes were delivered to nearby tables I noticed that the other choices were also huge.

We had a few hours available before our ‘Afternoon Seas’ lunch, which was part of Mr C’s ’special birthday’ present in 2024. Circumstances got in the way so we only managed to enjoy the present just – before his next birthday. The ’special lunch’ was in the Assembly House which is why we chose to stay there.

We walked into town to find the lovely art shop that is part of the Jarrold’s department store. There were a lot of things to tempt me but I have enough colouring pencils and resisted the urge to add a new make of pencils to my collection. I bought a few smaller (useful) items that will enhance the enjoyment of what I already have.

There is currently a GoGoSafari animal trail around Norwich and I took the opportunity to photograph the sculptures that we saw on our morning walk. Our walk took us past the colourful market stalls where Mr C bought his first Christmas present when he saw the perfect present of 2025 for one of his friends. Our walk took us past the model shop where on our previous visit Mr C had made a purchase. He didn’t need anything new this time but couldn’t resist going inside because we knew they stock a few board games.

I saw Castle Combo which looked interesting but rather than impulse buy I researched it on the Board Game Geek whilst having an Elderflower Presse in a nearby café. The game had a favourable write up so I purchased it before we returned to the billet to freshen up for the main event of the day, the long awaited ‘Afternoon Seas’.

The ‘Afternoon Seas’ lived up to our expectation, the service was impeccable and the food was both delicious and beautifully presented. After our indulgent lunch we chilled out on the patio next to our room before walking back into town to visit the Cathedral.

It was good to see the Cathedral without the scaffolding that had surrounded the organ on our previous visit. Now the building felt complete rather than split into two halves and I was able to feel and enjoy the atmosphere of the space within.

We then returned to the billet where I had a refreshing shower to wash away the afternoon heat before another lazy chill out on the patio. Well, a chill out was the intention but it was interrupted by a rather noisy demonstration in the nearby square.

Our evening meal was in the Gem of Norwich which serves Turkish cuisine. Mr C had miscalculated how far the restaurant was in relation to where we were staying. It was a long walk… The menu was extensive, I chose chicken salad which I thought would be a light option. I was wrong, the portion could easily have fed two people and the dish Mr C chose was just as large which, unusually, left him over faced by his portion. From where I was sitting, I could see most people were going home with doggy bags. The food quality was excellent but for me it wasn’t the best dining experience due to the enormous portions.

On the way back to our billet we returned to the Murderers Arms for a nightcap which we enjoyed sitting outside in the warm evening air.

Unforeseen circumstances led us to setting off later than we had planned but once we were on our way our journey ran smoothly. The route was just as tedious as we remembered it from our previous visit to Norfolk, although on this occasion we arrived without a cracked windscreen.

We broke our journey at Cambridge services for lunch. The options were limited and uninspiring, leaving me to succumb to the call of a Crispy Kreme doughnut which was plain, simple and delicious.

Our long journey required a second break for a refreshing drink before continuing our journey to the Assembly House where we were staying for the first part of our two centre holiday.

On arrival at the Assembly House, we checked into the B&B and were shown to our amazing room which had an outside patio area that was just perfect for the hot sunshiny days that we were being treated to.

We unloaded the car and chilled out on the balcony with a cup of tea and homemade biscuits that we found in our room. The weather was so warm and lovely that it was just calling for a glass of wine to enjoy on the patio.

Mr C went out to recce the area and find out where we had booked in for our evening meal. He returned with a nice bottle of Rose wine which we enjoyed whilst I was relaxing with one of my colouring books and pencils.

We dined in Middleton’s Steak Bar where I opted for a chicken burger. There were several fish options which I would normally choose but the following day we were having ‘Afternoon Seas’ for lunch, a fishy version of afternoon tea.

Before returning to our billet for an earlyish night we had an after-dinner drink in the Murderers & Gardeners arms which we found to be cosy and friendly.