The last day of summer was savoured by us with a decadent day out to the beach. We had nipped away for a few nights earlier in the season when weather was fair but not especially hot. When the forecast announced a whole day of wall to wall sunshine, featuring no breeze and a high of 30 degrees for a Tuesday we knew it would be our final opportunity to enjoy the heat. So we headed off to the beach nice and early in the day for a time of lazing on the sand and not much else. Having failed to get into my current read, I'd brought along another book which offered a more instant immersion and fast pace. 

Yesterday we took a spontaneous ride out to the coast. Previously arranged plans had fallen through and we found ourselves with a day to spent however we pleased. Due to the sheer volume of rainfall recently almost everywhere is either partially underwater or saturated through so it did pose a bit of a dilemma knowing where to go. It was C that suggested the coast.
I changed into some suitable trousers, camera, hat, scarf and gloves then declared myself ready to roll.
Being a miserable day, with rain in the air and grey clouds hanging overhead the crowds were non-existent which is worth noting because if Boxing Day or New Years Day also dawns that miserable the place would be packed regardless.
Even on a mild day you can usually count on a cold breeze to nippy things up a fair bit, which was true yesterday. My hat with long ear flaps and tassels worked it's magic in keeping my ears warm enough which is all I ask.

 Sea buckthorne berries everywhere. I guess the coastal birdies don't favour these.



 Due to our shelter from the dunes soon expiring we took a left and headed into the woods. It was eerily empty, light and spacious. Usually woodland is brimming with undergrowth and is shaded by the canopy but not here. Quite an odd atmosphere. I lost my bearings after a very short space of time so it was fortunate that C had kept a good grasp of our direction.

C pointed out these berries and with what little we had to go on I will plump for privet, but I may be a long way out.

The feather caught in the bark drew my attention. These pine trees had such textured trunks.

 Mind your step.
 Bright spindle.
 Curious mosses.

Droplets hanging everywhere. Rain never too far away.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! I hope to post up the habitual favourite pictures of the year in the coming days then start the New Year off with some resolutions.

Take care,
Sophie

 As part of our circular walk from Cromer to Sheringham and back again we had the pleasure of once again walking through the lovely nature area in Beeston then up over the Beeston Bump.It's the hilliest hill in Norfolk if you ask me (and it probably is if you don't). The springtime conditions meant that I spotted quite a few interesting flowers that weren't in bloom on previous visits. I snapped so many pictures that I've kept them all for their own post although I can't promise to name them all, much as I'd like to. Here's a gorgeous purply blue beauty I haven't noticed before and have completely forgotten what the info board said it was called.


Plenty of dusty pink scabious scattered here and there, as well as architectural seed heads from last year - even more exciting to me.

A rich red almost purple of this (is it red valarian???) which I had to look up. Not seen this one round our way. Isn't it a fabulous shade?

 Trefoil

 This gives you a fair indication of how misty the mist was. Fog.
 This nano yellow flower which I never usually look up but now feel guilty about overlooking in pursuit of more flash blooms. Le sorry. I did just look for it in the book but it's nowhere to be seen! 
 Roses and gorse. So much to see in June!

 Vetch is starting to flower everywhere now.
 The bump was almost invisible until we drew close.
 I cannot recall if the white flower above was wild or part of a planted border but it looked very regimented nevertheless.
 How do snails get into such places? And why should they wish to try? Baffling. Wild mignonette?
 There has been some excellent work done on the footpath over the bump which should cut down on erosion and increase safety. Good job.
 Hedge mustard?

 I mumbled something about this being bladder campion of sorts but I don't know. It looks a curious shape.

I could have lingered for ages had it not been for my rumbly tummy. Sheringham was busy but not quite as busy as expected for a school holiday weekday. More people clustered in the town than the prom or beach and those that braved it wore coats. It was a funny old day - I was comfy enough in shorts and a jumper. We managed to nab a table with only a 15 minute reservation wait (spent charity shop browsing) then sat down in the fish and chip restaurant for a comfortable lunch or haddock, chips and mushy peas. Reformed, am I? A former fish hater to someone who purposely chooses haddock from a menu. Anyway, it was good and the batter was something I've missed. I had hoped there would be a MORE SUSTAINABLE fish on the menu like pollack, coli or hake but nothing. I don't think the staff were much in the mood to receive my feedback to I kept quiet but it really does seem wrong to plunder cod and haddock in such a way. They all taste the same to me even though others wax lyrical on the differences. I am convinced it's all in your head.

If a hearty fish and chip lunch didn't sound quite luxurious enough after a full English I took it one step further by getting an in ice cream in a cone, turkish delight flavour no less, and demolishing that before our walk along the beach back to Cromer. In for a penny, in for a pound.

Take care,
Sophie 

On Friday we took a rare weekday day off and by off I mean a total shunning of all duties except watering the greenhouse first thing and walking Lincoln. After that it was left to us to kick up our heels and do exactly as we pleased to celebrate our wedding anniversary. First stop slightly off route was to eat a super tasty breakfast - in fact it was the best full English we've eaten in forever, Creake Abbey Cafe is where you need to head for a high quality, delicious plate of local goodness.
Having filled up and had a lovely coffee we drove back to Fakenham then on towards Cromer. Our most favourite walk is a circular from Cromer to Sheringham which I've blogged about on a few occasions before but we haven't been in years and it felt special to return to
The weather has been a right unpredictable mess lately and Friday was a foggy one, hence a lack of distance in any of the pictures! It certainly felt atmospheric. Here's the beach walk back to Cromer from Sheringham which is a lovely peaceful stretch although it must only be done at low tide as there isn't much clearance of water in some places and even then a few little leaps over streams is needed to avoid wet feet.


The fog kept the crowds at bay.





A warning sign about brown tailed moths hatching out of their webby sacks in the trees noted their caterpillary spines can fall out and cause severe itching and rashes. I was a little edgy.
I spotted one, then two, then they were everywhere so I made a swift exit!


The rest of the walk to come another day.
Do you have a most favourite walk in the world?
Take care,
Sophie