Coasting in Norfolk

Low tide in Wells-next-the-sea on the Norfolk coast. The horse is a metal scuplture, commissioned as a temporary art work. It proved so popular that they decided to keep it. It has been on the sand bank of the marsh land opposite the harbour for four years.

High tide. Sometimes the tide completely covers the plants on the marsh land. Occasionally, it even invades the town.

A week in Norfolk, staying in Wells-next-the-sea.

View from my bedroom. The tide is out.

A mile or so along a road or along the sea defence wall, there is a wide sandy beach.

This boat takes people on tours of the harbour and marshes. We did the marsh tour. He can only operate for a few hours around high tide. 

The marshes are covered in flowering sea lavender. Not a true lavender but its flowers are the same colour.

Morris dancers performing in the main street of the village where there is a good selection of cafes and shops. Strange, quirky and fun.

We have been walking most days in the surrounding countryside and along sea defence walls and paths beside extensive marshes.

We hired ebikes to explore the estate of Holkham Hall. Imagine imposing entrance gates, manicured gardens complete with a magnificent fountain, a huge lake, herds of deer, forest and open grassy fields, children playing on a ropes course, cafe, gift shop, food vans, cricket on the lawn between the house and lake.

Took the train back from one of our walks. The quarter-sized steam train runs on a 10.5 inch gauge track using the old rail bed of the original Victorian era line that once ran to Wells.

Other towns. Cromer was large, cold and drab. We did not stay long.

Walsingham was a major Christian Pilgrimage destination from 1061 until Henry VIII destroyed the abbey. New churches were built in the 20th century and pilgrimage revived. We walked from Wells to Walsingham as a type of mini pilgrimage but the place did not resonate with me at all, it just feels tacky and strange. All the icons and worship of Mary is not my form of Christian belief or worship.

The scant remains of the abbey were beautiful and more peaceful.

On our final day we took a boat tour to one of the largest seal colonies in the UK. We saw about 50 grey seals and common seals on a sand bank. There were more in the distance too. There can be over 4,000 here.

One final walk through the marsh land.

Back on track

Northumberland Coast Path - 100kms of broad beaches, dramatic skies, castles and fishing villages.

Miles and miles of firm sand walking. Yes, we did get rained on a few times but the showers were brief, moving on quickly, the temperatures were cool, perfect for walking.

We did get lost several times, in the dunes and when the track deviated inland. 

But we saw a surprising variety of interesting things.

Berwick-on-Tweed, the Northern end of the path, with its three old bridges. We walked over the closet one, built in the early 1600s and still used by cars today.

Vera on-location filming at Spittal Beach, less than an hour after starting the path, we stopped and waited over 2 hours for a glimpse.

Castles

Hogwarts  aka, Alnwick Castle. The lovely town of Alnwick was one of two places we stayed while walking, using the buses to get to and from our walk each day.

Lindisfarne 

Bamburgh

Bamburgh from the beach.

Dunstanburgh

Warkworth

Pretty villages 

Low Newton where the King of the Yetholm gypsies planned smuggling operations at the Ship Inn.

Warkworth overlooked by its castle. We enjoyed Raspberry roulade in a cafe for lunch, as well as vegie lasagne with salad and chips. 

Craster is famous for smoked kippers. No, I did not try them.

Old lime kilns at Beadnell Harbour, next to a wide crescent- shaped sandy beach.

Seahouses, where a cheeky starling tried to steal my sandwich. The seagulls weren't interested.

Fossils, rocks, dogs, people and other things. I took so many photos of things that interested me. These are just a few of them.

Fossils

Anti-tank blocks from WWII

Strange looking cows

Ringing for permission to cross the train line.

Seaweed in rock pool

Recognising the RNLI who rescue people from the sea.

Black headed gull (yes, it has a brown head)

Lots of conversations with other walkers and their dogs.

The best sand castle I have ever seen, with Dunstsanburgh on the horizon.

Seabirds nesting on a cliff.

Eider ducks

Grumpy seagulls - you would be grumpy if someone chopped your body off and stuck your head in concrete. Lol

More Eider ducks

Diving ducks

Cute puffin. I think the kids at the playground have been feeding him too much.

More anti-tank blocks. They must have made thousands of these.

The end. These steps at Cresswell mark the southern end of the Northumberland Coast Path.

The Northumberland Coast Path was wonderful. We were fortunate that low tides in the middle of the day and calm, glassy seas enabled hours of relaxing walking on the beaches, watching the dramatic ever-changing skies, local bird life, meeting dogs and their people.