Canary stage 1 – Norwich to Elsing (23.5km)
The morning of the 1st of March 2025 saw necessary hebdomadary duties assigned to Mario, who was tasked with meandering down the flock’s virtual corridor in order to rouse the slumbering pheasants and ensure that everyone made the 7.07am train from Ely to Norwich. This leg of the Camino de Pheasant Canary saw the intrepid trio commence the Norwich to Elsing stage, having already completed the Elsing to Stibbard part in late 2024.
With a slight nip in the air and a low hanging blanket of fog, the pheasants were soon decrying the run down nature of the urban environment from Norwich station to the Cathedral and the “official” start of the stage.
Leaving the hustle and bustle of early morning city activity to join Marriott’s Way and the River Wensum, the pheasants soon found themselves in the middle of a park run event. This allowed the group to be bemused by the plethora of running styles and footwear on display over the next couple of miles, while the mists slowly cleared as the travellers made their way north out of the city.
Stopping along the route for refreshments, the group managed to rescue an errant porridge bowl from a early demise into the Wensum, dropped by Bellars and heroically rescued (at the 2nd attempt) by Jaggard at a modicum of personal risk to himself. Continuing along the route in search of a suitable breakfast it wasn’t until reaching Drayton at 9km that Kellys Bakeries came up trumps with three bacon and egg baps which were enthusiastically dispatched.
At this stage discussions turned as to which route to follow as the team realised that the two navigators were orienteering off slightly different plans that just happened to coincide up until Drayton. Over a metaphorical game of rock, paper and scissors, Jaggard prevailed and following a stop at Taverham school it was time for a slightly early rendition of the 10km “to go” dance, shown below being performed in the form of the Norfolk Crip Walk. However, the pheasants were soon to rue their choice of route and be in fear for their lives.
The reason for the drama was down to a section of road labelled modestly as “30 mph” but due to the high sides and inordinate volumes of traffic this soon had the group traversing the road chaotically. Luckily they managed to jump into a field in order to avoid some of the more egregious traffic, exiting via a tricky farm gate. Using a mixture of approved pheasant technique and some hair raising antics from the unique pheasant Mario, the flock finally arrived at the safety of Ringland and quieter “60 mph” roads.
Having reached relative calm, the group were able to take a few photos and start to disrobe, as the sun allowed for the colder walking gear to be stowed away and pheasant feathers to be preened. With the final section through Weston Longville and Lyng ahead of them, aching feet started to creep in along with Bellar’s back starting to give him gyp. It was now deemed prudent to confirm that the relief support driver (Creeky) was on his way to the finish at Elsing.
There was time for a very short period in which the famous Mario legs made their 2025 debut prior to the gang reaching the church at Elsing and a well deserved rest after 26km. The pheasants sought sanctuary inside the church while they awaited pheasant Creek to nurse the Land Rover through the country roads to retrieve the weary pilgrims.
As on the previous walk, refreshments were once again enjoyed in Stawton Morley (Darbys pub) where sustenance in the form of ham, egg & chips, burgers plus fish & chips washed down with a few drinks were partaken as the day’s events were mused over.
