Full steam ahead for Norwich

The final piece of the jigsaw fell into place yesterday. I'd registered for the CAMRA AGM in Norwich and booked a B&B close to the station. I then checked train times and costs on the very first day that advance tickets were available and found that, while I could buy a cheap ticket to Norwich, I could only get a normal ticket to come back. Added together, the cost was about the same as a full price return, thus contradicting a claim by a rail spokesperson on Radio 4 just the other day that you can always get cheap tickets if you buy in advance. As I can drive for around £40 less, the car it will be.

This left the question of what to do with the car when I get there. Parking for four days in the city centre is very dear and would negate the saving I got from driving. I found a website where you can hire a private drive to park in. A couple of handy drives turned out not to be available, and one owner didn't reply, which seems odd if he or she is hoping to earn a few bob, but yesterday I booked one for a mere £2 per day. It's about a 20-minute walk from my hotel, but who cares? Full steam ahead for Norwich!

I have been told that Norwich has some wonderful pubs, and I'm really looking forward to researching them (aka drinking in them). I have never been to that part of the country before, so it will be quite an adventure. Oh, and I'll be standing up for drinkers' rights while I'm there too.