29-Apr to 05-May 2012

Sun 29-Apr: Battered by storms all night and through most of the day with the caravan shaking. Nevertheless we sallied forth into the rain and wind up the promenade for a soaking, then cake and coffee at the Salad Bowl Cafe. After a wander around the shops here we are heading back for safety, the promenade completely deserted on a Sunday afternoon. By evening it was calm, warm and sunny.

Mon 30-Apr: Off on our favourite walk to Norfolk Lavender this morning for a shop and lunch... managed to buy the perfect fruit bowl to put in the dining room, and a herb I'd been searching for ages, balm of gilead, as well as garlic chives and St John's wort. Here's one of my favourite corners at Norfolk Lavender, where they sell the fruit wines and jams. Got told off for taking pictures... something to do with security. Then walked around Heacham village before heading back along the beach to a magnificent view of The Wash in bright sunlight. I hauled back a big bag of what looked like bog oak washed up in Sunday's storm.

Tue 01-May: Here we are looking for fossils along Hunstanton cliffs after the early morning rain had stopped. Sunday's storm had washed up loads of razor shells and star fish, but no fossils found. Headed into Old Hunstanton and St Mary's church, then back to Hunstanton for a late lunch at The Coffee Pot.

Wed 02-May: Spent the day in Wells next the Sea, travelling on the excellent Coast Hopper. Walked along the wide open beach to Holkham picking up flat, colourful oyster shells along the way. Here we are having walked the mile out to the beach, rambling along beach huts costing £67k a time! Returned via Peddars Way along the pine forest for lunch at The View Cafe, with a view over the harbour as we ate.

Thu 03-May: Here's what the weather forecast has been promising for most of the week... rain for rest of today but sun tomorrow. Managed a walk up the seafront and around town for a couple of hours in the afternoon and another venture out for tea at The Waterside Bar. At least we've had a couple of suny days so far. Woke up in the morning to find the boiler not working, so no hot water or radiator heating. Took four attempts to get the maintenance guys to fix the problem, culminating in me having a few 'words' with them late afternoon resulting in a fix within 15mins!

Fri 04-May: Went a slow amble along the beach to the far side of Heacham, had lunch at Norfolk Lavender, then visited St Mary"s church in Heacham, where there were memorials to John Rolfe, who married Pocahontas and brought her to England. Here's the weeks total reading... I know Elizabeth Taylor (no, not the actress) seems a strange read for a man, writing of middle class English domestic life in the 1960s, but she has such a great style. No surprise with the reread of a collection of Annie Proulx's short stories of Wyoming. Wish I could write as she does. The first of the Wallender detective novels... decided to read them all in order. And finally, a reread of Zola's 'The Beast Within'. Did so much reading 'cause they're all great books. Oh... also read a book from the caravan, Stephen Fry's biography 'The Fry Chronicles'.

Sat 05-May: Got back home from holiday before noon and by mid afternoon off to The Crown Inn at Broughton where Becky had spotted they were having a Bank Holiday barbecue with real ales and music. Connor and Sammy were immediately occupied when they found a mysterious stone in the garden that just had to be investigated... here they are digging away. John and his new girlfriend Stacey joined us and we had lots of chasing around and football kicking. Great pub and lovely village.