The seal colony on Horsey Beach, Norfolk

Judy drove me around the local area nestling between the broads and the North Sea coastal area. She was surprised that the rather amazing Waxham Barn was open to the public and meant that the cafe was open too. It is an very large barn adjacent to the Hall and its other buildings which all have been important in the local areas history. Waxham Barn was constructed using recycled bits of 14th and 15th century monasteries that the Woodhouse family had bought after Henry VIII closed them down.

The Waxham estate is sited just beside the long extended beach with high banks that protect the low lying inland meadows, pastures and water courses. Close by is Horsey Mere which is now owned by the National Trust and is one of the more northerly of the Norfolk Broads. We parked beside Horsey windmill which was built for pumping excess water from the mere. From there we walked about 2 miles to the sand dunes running all the way down the beaches.

Using a gap in the dunes  for access which walked along the beach protected from erosion by manmade groynes. Dotted between the groynes were colonies of seals which Judy had brought me to see, an internationally important breeding site for these wonderful mammals. We watched vcarious group s of them as they either rested and slept or played together in the water, seemingly enjoying surfing on the small waves driven by the strong breezes.

I took lots of pictures but since we couldn't get close to them for their protection I thought this picture of a pup looking towards me with the adults playing in the water behind was most evocative. A fine day out and a rare chance to see wildlife in their elements.