a day on the norfolk coast: hunstanton beach

Growing up, when my immediate family made the trip over to see my father's side of the family in England we always went in August, right before we kids went back to school.  We would spend a few weeks in England and I always remember the weather being perfect, (sunny, not too hot, not too cold) not the dreary drizzly weather that the UK is known for.  I even remember jokes directed at my English family, "Why are Britons always complaining about weather?  It doesn't constantly rain here."

But of course since Marco and I have made England our home since last November, we have become accustomed to that dreary drizzle.  We experienced one of England's coldest and longest winters in 50 years.  We were wearing our parkas well in to April.  (By the way, it doesn't rain as often here as one would think, and I take it as a small trade off for having vibrant green countryside.)

Then come June summer hit, it REALLY hit - with family and neighbors telling us it has been the hottest summer in years.  Hottest as in a "scorcher" of a day being in the high 80's.  High 80's (with a lovely breeze!) though, you do feel the heat because most homes and many places of business do not have air conditioning.  We tried to buy a fan one weekend and gave up after 4 shops, "sorry, sold out!"

Other than a couple week stretch of weather in the mid to upper 80's, it has been a summer of mild temperatures and chilly nights sleeping with the cottage windows open.

Being able to go out for a run or long walk at all times of the day, DUH we have not missed the heat and humidity that is summertime in Washington, D.C.

How this post ended up being about weather I don't know.  Sorry?

A few photos below from a Sunday daytrip to the Norfolk coast, Hunstanton Beach.  We took beer, a picnic, the latest Vanity Fair magazine, and a whole bunch of 75 SPF.

wells next the sea

We went to check out a furniture barn in Cambridgeshire on Sunday.  (Where - while browsing - we witnessed a hen lay its eggs in the corner of the shop while the shop dog, Molly the Jack Russell Terrier, watched and a rooster circled us.)

The barn visit was a wash so to not make it a wasted day we kept driving heading towards the coast.  We ended up at Wells Next The Sea in Norfolk, a quaint seaside town.  Norfolk is also home to Her Majesty the Queen's country getaway, Sandringham.

Despite the cold windy day, Wells was crowded with families out for hikes along low tide sands.  We walked through the town and had some fish and chips.  I could just envision the summertime bustle while passing the candy shops, arcade, and fish and chip joints. 

Just an hour and a half drive for us, I can't wait to get back there in the summer (with Henry!) and make a day trip of it.  Catch some rays, browse the shops, picnic on the beach, check out the pubs, let Henry run.