Brancaster beach

It was lovely to wake up in Norfolk today. It was very misty with a bit of a mizzle, but very mild for this time of year. After breakfast we set off for a walk from the house in Brancaster Staithe to Brancaster beach, as we wanted to see the seals in the creek. It was a long walk but very enjoyable - we kept hearing geese flying in skeins above us, yet we could not see them due to the mist and they fly very high. We saw oyster catchers, curlews, egrets, and on the board walk I got such a surprise when a little creature ran across it and then stood behind the tall grasses on the marshes looking at me - I think it was a weasel, it was so tiny so I don't think it was a stoat. Xena noticed it after a while but it ran off and she spent ages trying to smell where it had gone.

We walked along the beach, and as it was low tide it seemed to stretch for miles, as far as the eye could see. Inca and Tommy loved the beach, and could not believe how wide and large it was - this being their first trip to the area. I took this photo of them on our walk along the beach, and in the extras they were having fun crushing some razor clam shells, while Xena was getting excited running between them. There were a few seals in the creek, they are very curious and come up and stare at you before sinking back under the water again.

It was a long walk, about 15km and we only got back to the house about 3.5 hours later. By now we were cold and hungry, so the soup I made yesterday was very welcome, and we all enjoyed the seed loaf to accompany it. 

After lunch we went for a drive to Thornham as we wanted to show Tommy and Inca the village, it is very attractive with all the buildings being made of flint.We popped in to Thornham Deli which is a wonderful place, part cafe and part shop, selling a good selection of foods and also clothes and home accessories. We bought a few of those fancy filament light bulbs for the light fittings and also some small Christmas presents. 

The days are so short at this time of year that there is not much you can fit into a day. Back home Gavin lit the fire which is just perfect for a dark and damp winter's night.

Omicron continues to spread rapidly and put a damper on our festive spirits - it's looking a lot like another lockdown is looming.