Norfolk Day 5

We spent the night at the Fisherman's Return in Winterton on sea. A very pleasant pub/hotel and once again we were able to eat in the place where we were staying. The less we moved around last night the better. Although a few minutes from the sea I just didn't have the energy to go and have a look last night. Today we are anticipating a walk of 10 miles. P has checked and rechecked the mileage so there should be no last minute extra miles or even metres. My injury is holding up really well but the blisters are not. I have bumps, scars etc on my feet that the blisters just love finding. Putting the boots on this morning was a bit gruesome but thank heaven for blister plasters.

Just a few minutes away from the hotel was the Norfolk coastal path which we will now be following.

We followed the road to take us onto the beach.

The road has fallen away onto the beach. There is a lot of erosion of the land on this coast.

There was a bit of a breeze blowing and it doesn't take much to get the big waves here on the North Sea.

We walked along the beach for a little way enjoying the sound of the waves crashing onto the beach.

When we saw the seal colonies on the beach we moved back onto the dunes. There is a large colony of grey seals which use the beach for breeding in the winter and moulting in the spring.

 The lighter coloured one is a common seal and much smaller than the grey seal.

The seals were all along the beach. We were told there is a colony of about 3000 seals that use this beach in the winter during the breeding season.

It was quite windy and difficult walking in the dunes so we moved down onto a pathway.

 

Every so often there was a wooden staircase to take you back onto the beach.

At the top of the dunes was a pillbox. These were built during WW2 as part of the anti invasion defences.

Their hexagonal shape gave rise to the name pillbox.

Lots of large puddles to negotiate. There has been heavy rain in the area but we have somehow managed to miss most of it.

 

This plant is everywhere along here. I think it's common name is horse parsley.

Here we are at Sea Palling where we leave the coastal path.

There are a couple of cafes etc.

A small amusement arcade which is very common for a seaside resort even though this is a very small one.

We followed the road out of Sea Palling. We had about 2 miles to walk to the farm where we would be spending the night. It wasn't a pleasant walk as we were always conscious of the traffic. We decided that in the morning when we have to return to the coastal path along this road we will get a taxi.

This was a bus shelter that we walked past. No sign of a bus but what a large shelter.

We finally reached our destination.  'Dairy Barns'. Couldn't believe our eyes. It was gorgeous. This used to be a dairy farm but now it is a beef farm and sheep farm. The old dairy sheds and barm have been converted into a bed and breakfast accommodation. 

Tina and I couldn't believe our eyes when we saw the 'Cowshed' which was the name of our bedroom.

We had our own lounge on the mezzanine floor.

Plus our own garden. In the morning our breakfast was one of the best so far with deliciously cooked farm fresh food as well as lots of fresh fruit. What was interesting was that it was no more costly than other places we have stayed.