On Thursday afternoon we picked up Alice from Kings Lynn station – we had miraculously found a train route from Manchester, so saving Alice the long drive. She had come to check us out in our country cottage residence. The sun was shining when we arrived back at ‘Honeysuckle Cottage’ so we lazed in the garden, chatted, bored Alice to death about Norfolk birds and countryside animals, drank Prosecco and barbecued – a perfect first evening together.

Friday 11th July 2019

We talked Alice into joining us on a stretch of coastal path walking … nothing too arduous as I’m still banging on about my knee injury! So today’s path was from Holkham Beach to Wells next the Sea, two very beautiful places to visit. The path was actually woodland most of the way – very pretty but particularly hot, being sheltered from the coastal breeze – we were stripping layers off as we walked.

And so we rambled along a few woodland miles until we found a path to take us up through the sand dunes onto the beach – the city girl was longing to see the sea. And Alice could not have been disappointed – this beautiful coastal stretch, looking back to the wide expanse of Holkham beach and walking along to the popular, beach-hut lined sands of Wells.

We envied the bathers as we continued our walk, still a mile or so to go. Once off the beach we had a long straight walk alongside the harbour – a walk that seemed to go on for ever. But worth it to reach the quaint town of Wells next the Sea, where ice-cream and shopping awaited Alice and I whilst noble Steve ran back to fetch the car.

Saturday started as all Saturdays in our world start …. with the Parkrun! Alice was able to keep Steve company this week as I’m still ‘signed off!’

After breakfast and showers we headed back to Wells next the Sea, armed with picnic, with the intention of spending a couple of hours on the beach – desperate for a swim. The weather up this way is pretty hit and miss at the moment though so with clouds gathering we embarked on the Light Railway journey from Wells to Walsingham. A quirky little ride, 30 minutes of chugging along some rather overgrown paths – a beautiful montage of wild flowers and busy butterflies … but also ‘something to entertain the children I guess’ …. fairies’ washing lines, unicorn stables, elf lodges and a few scary witches.

I wanted to visit Walsingham as my Mum used to come here with her church group for retreats – I had heard so much about how wonderfully peaceful it was. Tradition has it that in 1061 Mary, Mother of Jesus, appeared in a vision … and so it has been a shrine for nearly 1000 years – a place of pilgrimage for Christians.

The village itself is picture postcard – we visited the churches and shrines and then enjoyed a fabulous walk around the Abbey grounds. Definitely left with a feeling of spirituality. Unfortunately, couldn’t get access to the well where miracle cures are said to have happened … had high hopes for my knee!

The village of Walsingham

In the grounds of Walsingham Abbey

Alice being given a photography lesson!

A product of said photography lesson

When we got back to Wells it was even more cloudy, so we abandoned our swim and beach trip and returned home for a relaxing couple of hours before getting ready for our posh night out at the pub. If ever you find yourself in these parts, we highly recommend ‘The Duck Inn’ gastropub in Stanhoe – the food and service is first class.

My goats cheese and beetroot starter – exquisite!

And when we got back to the cottage, our next door neighbour horses ran over to say hello – they probably were looking for food but we like to think they were being neighbourly. One of them is identical to Spirit – a book/video that was a childhood favourite of Alice’s.

Alice and I had a little lie in on Sunday – came down to find Steve gearing up excitedly for his day of cricket – The World Cup finals. He was so relieved that they were showing the game on terrestrial TV as, throughout the Championship, he has been struggling with internet connection, lots of buffering, watching it on the iPad or listening to it on the radio. He’s considered driving home to watch the games on many occasions.

After breakfast, Alice and I left Steve in peace and headed off for a girls day out. I mustered up all my bravery and drove us along these ridiculously narrow country roads to Sandringham. And we loved it. Walked through the grounds, visited the house, the museum and the church. Felt so special being in the actual rooms that the Royal family use just in everyday life …. where they have dinner, where they watch TV etc. And the scenes that you see at Christmas as the family walk to church … we were there! Love a bit of Royal, especially the Queen.

We spent 3 or 4 hours at Sandringham and then took a detour on the way home, to Old Hunstanton, so Alice could have a final paddle before heading back on Monday to the Manchester City life.

And we were back in time to watch the last hour of the nail-biting match with Steve … we were jumping out of our seats, agonising, crying, cheering and finally celebrating our boys winning the Cricket World Cup for the very first time … so proud.

Old Hunstanton

So this morning we waved farewell to Alice …. and in 10 days time, Tom and Jess are coming up for a visit. Feel very blessed – it’s all about family ❤️

We haven’t been idle in the last few weeks, just waiting patiently to heal. Steve’s back to the Parkrun, building up his running strength. I’ve been venturing out sightseeing, hobbling a few miles each day to keep up some activity. We’ve joined the ‘Meerkat’ club and have been enjoying half price cinema and 2 for 1 meals. Even squeezed in a couple of beach days when the sun decided to shine. And lots of birdwatching.

This weekend, Tracey and Jeff came to stay and we managed to fit in a BBQ, Parkrun, Holkham Estate, Holkham Beach, Houghton Hall and grounds, dinner at our local pub – the Duck Inn (absolutely first class meal), some shopping in the beautiful Burnham Market shops and Old Hunstanton. Such a fun weekend, great company.

Brancaster Staithe to Burnham Ovary Staithe

However, on Monday we decided to get back on that coastal path. We made the decision to cut the task down into smaller segments so that I could join in. So it was with plenty of meds, voltarol, knee support and walking poles (or cheat sticks as some like to call them) that we set off from Brancaster Staithe late morning.

The tide was in which made the walk a little more scenic – sometimes it can just be miles of mudflats with abandoned boats. The high tide in fact meant that we had to detour temporarily onto a path overgrown with all sorts of prickly things – lots of leg scratches. It was a little cloudy on starting out but the sun broke through soon enough.

On the initial stretch of path, we got a glimpse of how the other half live – houses designed to maximise the sea views, with long long stretches of garden dipping down to the coast. Many a perfect lawn for Steve to envy.

It was a pretty walk all in all with a large selection of butterflies criss-crossing our path, fabulous seabirds and wildflowers a-plenty. And as the sun began to shine it was so picturesque looking out at the boats on the blue water – summed up by a local walker who commented in true Norfolk tones … “bootiful voo!”

We pass numerous fields of cows along these paths but today we came alongside some rather interesting types, with very large horns …. we’re guessing Highland Cattle. Now, I don’t know much about their nature but I was mighty glad to find that there was a ditch and a fence between them and us.

And so the walk passed without incident and after just 4 miles we arrived in pretty Burnham Ovary with its fine windmill and fields of barley.

It was fabulous to be back walking albeit with some discomfort. Obviously our pace is much slower but Steve has taken full charge of the photography which gives me a little time to get ahead. I feel I have an affinity with Andy Murray … longing to be pain-free … I feel your pain Andy!! 😘

Once we got to the harbour, I rested up on a bench while Steve ran the 4 miles back to get the car.

Burnham Ovary Staithe to Holkham

After an intermission day of World Cup Cricket (come on England!) and Wimbledon, we embarked on another stretch today – just 3 and a half miles this time. It was drizzling as we left the pretty harbour area but we didn’t let that put us off. And neither did it deter a handful of artists who were busily poised over their easels, capturing the pretty scenes.

The initial path was along a stretch of sea defence ridge with perfect views all around. Plenty of oyster catchers busying themselves in the shallows … got us thinking about their diets – do they only eat oysters!? And plenty of walkers on the path today which is not always the case. It is a very flat stretch however which is probably more appealing. I’m not sure my knee would be up to the South West Coastal stretches right now, although funnily enough the pain eases up when I’m walking uphill …. it’s the downhill and flat that kills.

About half way we climbed a steep sand dune and found ourselves on the wonderful stretch of beach leading up to Holkham. It has to be one of the country’s most striking of beaches, even world class. I love to stomp my way along the hundreds of scattered razor shells … comparable to the joys of popping bubble wrap!

Razor shells

The walk along the beach started off well as the sand was hard, but it turned to heavily ridged and then soft sand which wasn’t too great for those knees. So we found a detour into the woodland area alongside and it was a pretty and more comfortable way to finish off.

So by lunchtime we’d reached the cafe at Holkham. Steve quickly swapped his walking boots for his trainers and set off to run back the 3 and a half miles to fetch the car. I hung out with a coffee until my chauffeur returned!

❤️ coastal walking

Walking the Norfolk Coastal Path ~ Hunstanton to Brancaster Staithe

Well our Alice would have been very pleased with how todays walk started!!  Leaving Hunstanton in lovely sunshine heading towards Brancaster it was only a few minutes before the Coastal Path offered the beach walk option for some five miles, passing through some picture postcard seaside villages notably Holme Next The Sea and Thornham.  

The North Sea with the wind blowing, it’s rainy and the tide is out can be very grey and dismal, fast forward to when its sunny and the tide is in what a beautiful sight and wonderful to see so many people on the beach. There was sun bathers, dog walkers and even a few fellow coastal walkers for the first time in three days walking this part of the coast!

There’s a lot of work going on along this coast with sea defences, there being some threat from that global warming thingy we hear so much about and you do realise how very flat the land is up here, a high tide could and does cause serious damage. 

Having said that a lot of the coast is already marshland which after the first few miles caused quite a diversion to avoid that ‘sinking in the mud’ feeling. 

Tried crossing one small stream, getting feet drenched in the process although this part saved probably a couple of miles only to find a little later that it was impossible (and bonkers) to try and cut across the several miles of salt marsh which forms the coast just after Thornham.  So those clever people that organise these paths have made a diversion inland which I’m all in favour of other than it’s a huge three / four mile inland loop meaning for the best part of an hour there’s no sight of the sea!  Anyways walking across fields is good and there are some wonderful wild flower displays, probably better than my garden!

Today’s walk though finished very brightly with the last part towards Brancaster Staithe (wharf or quay, I checked wikipedia) being on a raised wooden walkway through the marshland, spectacular wildlife and flowers before entering aforementioned Staithe where a well earned sandwich and cuppa awaited following a near 13 miles walk in almost four hours with not a break in sight!  Oh happy days…..

PS Just in case you missed it, when we first mentioned to Alice a couple of years back that we were walking the Coastal Path there was a thought it may have been ‘just a stroll along the beach’ ha ha….

Walking the Norfolk Coastal Path ~ Shepherd’s Port to Hunstanton

These days of walking present various planning challenges, with today’s challenge being how the heck did we co-ordinate our car being at either the start or the end of the run?  Not essential I know but if your picnic lunch is in the car then planning is definitely required….

The walk today in theory was just five miles and the normal plan is we drive the car to the end of the walk and then catch a bus back to the start and then walk to the car.  Only problem being that the Shepherd’s Port bus stop is nearly three miles away!

I’M NOT LOOKING TO WALK THREE MILES EXTRA!! 

This is before we walk the five miles..do you get the idea?

With my foot being nearly better and Deirdre’s knee seeming okay for a short (in theory) walk we hatched a plan.  I would drop Deirdre at Shepherd’s Port and then take the car and park somewhere near the bus stop and then I’d walk back down to our startpoint.

This plan went reasonably well and we had a lovely walk through the sand dunes (I’d already walked the three miles!) and it turned out to be a wonderful sunny afternoon.  A mixed terrain of walking included the sand of course but also the pure delight of a couple of miles walking along the promenade as we arrive into Hunstanton. 

Whilst walking we’ve posted loads of beach and sea pictures but today some of the best pictures were the wonderful display of wild flowers that occupy all the hedgerows and open spaces in North Norfolk!

 

Not the sign you’d expect to see just a couple of miles away from King’s Lynn on the walk to Shepherd’s Port as the coastal path walk resumes after a break since last year.

Whilst researching the Norfolk Coastal Path it became clear that the path did not include an official route over this part, leaving a couple of options.  An inland route including a lot of walking on main roads some way from the coast, or the more adventurous option of using the Ordnance Survey app to plot a route through the marsh land along the sea defence embankment, mainly through private land.  So it was the second option that seems more appropriate as it also meant being nearer to the North Sea.

 

Leaving King’s Lynn along the banks of the River Great Ouse it’s very quiet once you’ve passed the various factories and industrial units, in fact it was to be some two hours before I saw another human being!  This land is very flat and the tidal defence system is very important for miles of farms and arable land, sadly very little of this is immediately open to the public.  The sea defence embankment runs for some 15 miles but within the first few minutes you come across a ‘No Entry’ sign with a padlocked gate and access only to members of Norfolk Shooting Club.  Not to be put off as there’s not a human in sight a quick leg over the gate and I’m on my way albeit this is short lived.  Within another mile the embankment splits into two with the options being:-

• Private – No access, no public right of way.

• Beware of the Bull

This is open countryside and I see no reason why people cannot walk the paths as long as the normal rules of the countryside apply, being to close the gate, keep dogs on leads, no litter etc.

So with this in mind I chose option B and and another leg over the gate, keeping a close watch for the Bull which may have been in attendance?  It took some two or three miles before I spotted cows in the far distance, however I’d gone too far to turn back and getting closer realised that it was all mums and their young which always means a situation to approach with caution.  Having been bought up on a farm as a youngster the sight of cows causes me little concern.  I spent many hours collecting them from fields for milking.  So on the approach a few hand claps and arm waves managed to clear the path with ease although as I passed I was certainly of interest, no doubt as there was probably some assumption it was feeding time and I might be the farmer!

This part of the coast is very flat and the tide comes in miles, the equilibrium generally controlled by the earth / grass embankment which is some five metres high and three metres wide, meaning there is marshland on the sea side which regularly has the sea covering, whilst on the other side there are crops growing and cattle grazing just like a normal farm.  

The exception to this situation is any number of lodges, customised boats or just shacks that seem to have been situated on the marsh side of the embankment, accessed purely by boards placed over the soggy marshland! It’s really a sight to behold and I can only guess that these are maybe owned by bird watchers or the like as there is very limited vehicle access and its some miles away if you needed to pop to the shops!

Still a lovely walk, although as mentioned this in theory is all land denied to the general public for access, such a shame.

The plan had been for this to be a six or seven mile walk with the end being in the village of Wolferton, however with no paths or roads leading from the embankment, the decision was made to continue onto Shepherd’s Port. This making it an eleven mile walk with the last few miles being a lot closer to the beach, or sea if the tide had been.  The sea goes out miles here but watch out it also comes in miles and very quickly!

Overall though a lovely day walking, hopefully an ‘official path’ is recognised through this dramatic landscape at some time soon.  It was great to be able to witness sights that very few Englanders will get to see at first hand.

Tuesday 28th May – Sunday 16th June 2019

Three weeks have drifted by without a blog – the reason being that’s there’s been next to no rambling going on. As we waited out Steve’s recovery, I managed to develop a knee issue – the doctor has diagnosed cartilage or ligament damage and boy it’s painful. I was told to carry on walking as much as I can, as opposed to rest, so I do try a little each day … long coastal stretches would be a stretch too far at the moment however.

So this a short blog to fill the ‘time gap’ until our Norfolk Coast walking adventures get started. We are still loving this beautifully peaceful part of the world, from sitting in the garden enjoying the wildlife to visiting some stunning places … it’s just that we’re getting a bit stir crazy not being able to be as active as usual.

Our cottage is next door to a farm so we have some friendly neighbours who come to say hello. And we are still quite the twitchers – loving the variety of feathery folk who come to feed.

Despite the horrendous weather recently we have managed to get out and about a little. Stately homes, farm tracks and glorious beaches a’plenty. On Father’s Day we took a late stroll on Brancaster Beach and had a surprise encounter with a pod of seals – they looked like they were beached in the shallow water, waiting for the tide to return, so sweet.

But, the most exciting thing of all is that we’ve had some visitors! Now, just lately, Steve and I have spent a huge amount of time just the two of us alone – not getting out as much, no contact with neighbours, not even meeting people when we do go out. There’s only so much two of you can talk about … and then there’s the cricket!!! So to have two lots of visitors was absolute Heaven – I hope we didn’t wear them out with our chat. 🤣

Our first visitor was Koen, a lovely young Dutch student who recently stayed with us in MK – he’s been on a month’s road trip around the UK in his Mk1 Toyota MR2. He was now on his way back south and called in to see us. Lovely to hear all about his amazing trip and I think we have made ourselves a new friend.

And then, a very special visit from our lovely friend Hannah – we hadn’t seen each other for 6 years so it was an amazing catch up. We left Steve immersed in World Cup Cricket and enjoyed a short walk and then lunch and a ‘long chat’ in the garden. A fantastic day and hopefully Hannah will be able to return soon as she is often in the area.

So limited rambling as yet … but watch this space – Steve is about to start off solo. And I hope to be able to join him very very soon. 😘

Monday 20th May – Monday 27th May 2019

Another week of minimal rambling I’m afraid due to metatarsal repair!  And not that I’m looking for equal attention or anything but I’m now also suffering from injury – seems like I have a return of bursitis to my knee (oh the delights of running)!  So we’re a couple of poorly little soldiers – having to sit and relax and enjoy the countryside from a horizontal position.  Not that that’s too traumatic – we have stunning views and the birdlife here is keeping us fascinated – we’ve become quite the ‘twitchers!’

So a huge variety of birds come to feed in the garden and then as the garden overlooks this amazing pond we get to watch ducks, geese, moorhens and cormorants glide around in the water.  And really we can lose hours just spectating this beautifully simple slice of nature.  In the time we’ve been here we’ve already noticed the young ducklings and goslings growing and losing their fluffiness.  And we’ve observed the parents teaching their young to bob down into the water to feed … they seem to enjoy learning this new skill of sticking their bottoms in the air – there’s a lot of splashing goes on.  So as well as twitching, we’re also developing our wildlife photography skills.

On Wednesday we took a trip into King’s Lynn to do a spot of essential chain store shopping – a quick in and out and then we stopped off at Hunstanton on the way back.  This is clearly a popular seaside resort – some amazing Victorian houses but also it’s swamped with amusement arcades and souvenir tackiness!  We stopped off first at the quieter end – Old Hunstanton Beach with its spectacular rock formation.

When we got out of the car, both Steve and I headed for the nearby public toilets.  Even we laughed at ourselves as we crossed the road both hobbling and limping like good’uns!  The onlooking cafe users would never have known we were a Marathon Man and his 5k side-kick!  Our pride wanted to shout out “we’re runners you know!”

Even though it was on the chilly side we found a quiet sheltered spot and settled down with our picnic box and chairs, enjoying the peace and the views.  Very shortly however we were joined by chatty neighbours with two boisterous dogs.  All would have been fine if it hadn’t been for one of the dogs insisting on jumping up at our cool box and sniffing into our beef sandwiches and drinks.  The lady half-heartedly called out “come away Lucky” … but seemed to have no intention of following through on her instruction!

I headed down to the beach for a little walk while Steve packed up the picnic.  In my absence Steve suffered further annoyance from our neighbours!  He had taken out his much treasured travel binoculars (which apparently have great magnification) … only for the chap to sidle up to him with a rather larger pair, saying “now this is what you call binoculars!”  And to make things worse, the wife said “Oh you Boys!!”  I just wish I’d seen Steve’s face!

On Saturday, Steve volunteered to do the bar code scanning at the Holkham Hall Parkrun.  As I was also unable to run I went along to spectate and for some photo opportunities – beautiful place.  Hoping I’ll be fit to run it next week.  Before we left we joined hundreds of runners in the very luxurious cafe, for coffee and sausage rolls.

And so, apart from popping out to a Church book sale in Docking on Sunday, it’s been a very ‘house confined’ time.  The Bank Holiday weather has been grim too.

So not much action to report this week but we are getting ourselves geared up for David Attenborough’s retirement!  Plenty going on without having to leave our post – woodpeckers, chaffinch, swallows, blackbirds, blue tits, jackdaws, pigeons, doves, robins, magpies, swifts and swallows in the garden …. ducks and geese of unusual varieties, red kites impressively gliding overhead, cormorants perching majestically in the trees … and our very own ‘goose on the roof.’

We’ve managed to tear ourselves away from our chocolate box cottage this week to take a look around some of the nearby towns and villages.  How the other half live … it’s pure escapism up here … escape to the country, literally.  Pretty flint cottages and houses so wonderfully individual and tucked away, often interlinked with village ponds boasting numerous families of ducks and geese of many varieties.  And churches standing proudly at the heart of each community.

On Tuesday we took a drive to Brancaster Beach.  Being southerners, and optimistic southerners at that, we took towels, suncream, picnic blankets, beach chairs etc. etc.  Now it’s a stunning beach but not the kind you’d probably swim at … you’d have to walk about a mile just to reach the shore …. and boy was it windy!    As an alternative I had a bracing 2 mile run while Steve sat sensibly resting his foot.  Surprisingly enough I was the only runner on the whole stretch – loads of dog walkers, in fact we were probably the only people without a dog, but no other runners …. the obsession clearly hasn’t reached these parts!   Then we drove on to the Brancaster Harbour area where we discovered the most delicious of crab sandwiches, and we had a little relax in our beach chairs admiring the many different seabirds in the ‘waterless’ harbour.  The life of the retired!!

Our next stop was Wells-Next-the-Sea (seems like they missed a word out)!!  Another pretty little town which I spent a wee time exploring while Steve took another rest.  I left him in the sunshine with ice-cream so it’s not all bad!  Lots of arty shops and classy boutiques – all I bought was a tube of toothpaste!!

Drove through lots of other villages that day including Holkham, Burnham Overy Staithe and Burnham Market.  Incredibly narrow roads but it all seems to work – me holding my breath and closing my eyes seems to work particularly well as wider vehicles pass us by!  Lucky I’m not driving!

 

Weather-wise it’s been a bit mixed this week.  And of course there’s been lots of cricket on so some days the ‘foot resting’ is more essential than others!  On Saturday though we left the cottage again to take a look around the Holkham Hall estate.  Steve had booked us on a tractor and cart ride – he knows how to treat a lady!  Whilst a few of our friends are travelling around the country and the world abseiling, bungee jumping, white water rafting etc. – this is how we roll.

What a stunning place though and the ride was excellent – such a great tour guide.  Learnt all about antlers being seasonal and falling off (I never knew this) and also how the males groom themselves by whitening their antlers in order to attract the females.  Also that when you see hares standing up boxing, it’s the female letting the male know in no uncertain terms that she’s just not interested!  Also learnt about the history of Holkham Hall, ice-houses and pre-refrigeration, the estate’s renewable energy system, walled gardens and palladium style architecture.  So impressed – we’ll be back for more.  They even have a Parkrun here every Saturday so no doubt we’ll be visiting again.

 

And so the week has flowed.  In between our little trips out we’ve enjoyed the tranquility of our temporary home – two ‘Townies’ learning to be inactive and relax.  We do have our chores which as well as the usual domestics include mowing the lawns, watering the plants, filling the bird feeders, chopping wood (Steve loves this … memories of childhood) and lighting the log burner.  Come to think of it, Steve does all those things …. well, I do have a blog to write!

 

So lovely to snuggle up in front of the log burner after dinner each night whilst watching the latest Netflix Box Set … sometimes we even stay up till 10.00pm!!  So Rock and Roll.

 

As I mentioned in the last blog, we’ve been selected to do a house-sit for 3 months in Stanhoe, West Norfolk. This is our first ‘assignment’ since we joined the ‘Trusted House-sitters’ group so we made the journey up with some trepidation, not knowing what to expect. We were met by the friendly house owners, Virginia and Joss, at the garden gate of their stunning property – Honeysuckle Cottage.

After a cup of tea, a get to know each other chat and a quick handover, Virginia and Joss set off on the drive to their other property in the South of France. And Steve and I were left in charge of this absolute dream cottage!

We unloaded the car and unpacked our belongings to make ourselves feel at home, didn’t take long to feel settled. Took a little drive around some local areas – Burnham Market (so gorgeous but expensive looking!) and then into Fakenham – to get our bearings and to do the inevitable food and drink stock up. Bearing in mind our nearest supermarket is 10 miles away, we stocked up big time. Stanhoe is picture perfect but pretty remote – it does have an excellent pub however we’ve been told so all is not lost. And …. we have royal neighbours you know – Sandringham is just 4 miles away.

The driving and loading/unloading of luggage has been pretty arduous for Steve as he has a fractured metatarsal … but he soldiers on. The hospital have provided him with a ‘nice’ walking shoe. I think he decided the agony to his foot in driving was preferable to being a passenger to my driving – I can’t say I blame him! Adding to the pain unfortunately is the fact that the doorways in the cottage are built for midgets – every 5 minutes I hear yelps of pain and find Steve holding a newly grazed bump!

The foot issue also means we will not be able to do the coastal walking as planned – well not for 5 or 6 weeks anyway – hopefully, we’ll still have time towards the end to fit some in. Steve will probably be climbing the walls not being able to run …. and I’ll need to wait on him hand and foot to encourage him to rest up. However, what a perfect place to rest up …. I’m not complaining – and I have my trustee Yoga mat with me to keep me exercised.

We had a great first night’s sleep and woke up to the most perfect morning of sunshine and clear blue sky. Sadly, Steve had managed to bump his head in the night on a beautiful antique cabinet beside his bed, with particularly pointy corners – he had stuck tissue on it to stem the bleeding and it was such a funny spectacle to wake up to. Shouldn’t laugh, his head is getting such a battering.

So it was breakfast in the garden, looking over on to the pond with baby ducks and geese being paraded around the water, carefully watched by their doting parents. There’s some amazing bird life here and the farm next door has an abundance of bunnies running around its field as well as horses. We have been forewarned however that the farmer and his wife are infamously rude, so we’re not to worry if any unpleasant words are exchanged – that could be interesting! And it smells of the country, in a nice way, the country air is so flowery, fresh and clean … and it’s unbelievably quiet. Can you tell I’m smitten!

 

We’ve managed to spend the first day so far relaxing, reading, blogging, enjoying the scenic views … oh and we’ve lost the internet. When it does appear it’s slow and intermittent – I’m going to have to have the patience of a whole host of saints to keep any sort of blog up on this stay away.

Planning a few easy days now for maximum metatarsal rest and then hopefully get out and about around Norfolk. But for now, ‘best foot forward’ is on hold – it’s all about ‘feet up.’

❤️ Country living

Saturday 6th – Wednesday 10th April 2019

So the last few days have drifted by in the blissfully relaxed routine we seem to have established here in Benalmadena. Healthy eating, walking/running/yoga, daily chores, beach time, swimming, reading, early nights, late mornings and the occasional sundowners and dinner out. So no road trips this week, or city sightseeing … just a chilled few days to round things off nicely.

Had a great last night out in Benalmadena Pueblo, taking a last look through the beautiful cobbled streets and shops with their pretty Easter displays. Settled in the Plaza de España for dinner where we were perfectly serenaded by some local singers.

Now as we sit in the airport awaiting our departure, I’m already reminiscing about the things we will miss:

1. The tapas – definitely our favourite way of eating.

2. The wine! We have always loved Rioja but particularly love the prices here! And I will miss my perfectly chilled vino (pronounced Beeno – can’t believe I’ve only just learnt this, thanks to Alice!) blanco being served in small delicate measures in large balloon glasses – heaven.

3. The tastiness of the food – pineapples, strawberries, Serrano ham, goats cheese, avocado, olives, churros dipped in chocolate etc. etc.

4. The wafts of Spanish cologne from Spanish women and men.

5. The pretty whitewashed houses with their terracotta roof tiles and potted geraniums, prettily contrasting with the blue cloudless sky.

6. The lush mountains that wrap around Benalmadena and Fuengirola, an ever stunning spectacle.

7. The parakeets – often invisible to the eye but deafening to the ear, camouflaged in the promenade palms.

8. Appreciating nature in a different environment – plants and flora previously unseen.

9. I’ll even miss the friendly beach hawkers parading their wares – sunglasses, bags, watches etc …. and the sweet Filipino ladies offering ‘massageeeeee’ …. every five minutes!!

Having said all that we’re really looking forward to being home too – some special family time and catching up with friends. Also getting back into Redway Runners, Parkruns and yoga classes. We’ll be home for 5 weeks and then we’re off to Norfolk for 3 months – house-sitting and coastal walking.

Any news on Brexit!!!!! 😉