Exploring the coast

We were up bright and breezy this morning but in no rush to go anywhere fast as the forecast was for unpredictable showers. Eventually we decided to get in the car and head along the coastal road, stopping first for coffee and a scone at a farm outlet recommended by the gallery owner yesterday. We were offered a small table in the corner for half an hour as it was booked for lunch. The place was bright and attractive, with a fascinating lunch menu. Our scones were large but the bill soured the experience a bit.

So, westwards, with the weather getting brighter. At Blakeney, we left the car to walk out over dunes and mudflats. We accompanied a 'wormer' for part of the way; an ex-serviceman supplementing his pension digging fishing bait and loving it, though he admitted it was cold last winter! The footing was muddy and a bit slippery in places, but reassuringly, mainly firm. We reached a short stretch of water as a lady walking her dogs approached, crossing in wellies without much difficulty. Our choice was to go bare footed through the water and up the mud bank, getting our boots and socks wet, or to return the way we had come. We decided on the latter just as we noticed the sky darkening and the wind gaining in strength. Within a few minutes we were assaulted by near horizontal driving rain which soaked our lower halves as we regretted not bringing waterproof trousers. But we were cheered on returning to the car by crab sandwiches from a mobile kitchen and had almost dried out by the time they were eaten.

The excursion progressed to the busy little port of Wells, where we were attracted by these boats, then Burnham Market (which, in contrast, was closed), on through Brancaster and other pretty villages to bustling Hunstanton, where we eventually got a late afternoon tea and enormous piece of carrot cake for next to nothing (in contrast to the morning's scone and coffee!). Then home again by a circular route. All in all, a delightful day considering the wind and squally showers. This really is a nice part of the country. And to complete an almost perfect day, we watched Sleepless in Seattle, shedding a tear or two at the end.