A Winter Treat

Something we have never considered before - a winter break between Christmas and New Year.  We stayed at an old coaching inn at Snettisham for a couple of days.  Was this a good idea, considering the weather forecast for heavy rain and gales, yes it was.  The rain never materialised  until Saturday afternoon - and although the wind was strong enough to take you off your feet - it was reasonably mild.  Although windproof waterproof coats and fleeces were needed it was great to be out in the elements - being sandblasted!

After stopping off for turkey and cranberry sauce sandwiches and a glass of ale at the Globe Hotel in Wells, we made our way down to the quay for a quick look, only to be surprised at how many holidaymakers had braved the elements.  We British are hardy folk, neither wind, nor rain, nor snow or blow will stop us visiting our lovely coastline in the depths of winter.

We then carried on with our journey back down the coast to Snettisham which is inland and separate from its beaches.We have often stopped for a meal at the Rose and Crown, but this was our first time of actually staying there.  We were shown to 'The Old Blue Room' which was as comfortable as can be, all the bars had great big log fires, crackling and snapping, the Inn was as warm as an oven - in fact, too warm, stripping off became an option.

Saturday was to be our full day at the coast, and we visited the RSPB Bird Reserve at Snettisham, which is like being at the edge of the world - in the distance you could see the Lincolnshire coastline.  The tide was way out leaving behind slate-coloured mudflats where the overwintering birds were picking their way through the mud looking for tasty morsels.  This part of the reserve is famous for the flocks of Golden Knot that come in their hundreds - and they did not fail us - up they all lifted in a great mass - to perform their wheeling dance - hard to photograph unfortunately.  If only the day had been sunny instead of grey and overcast - it would have been a sight to behold.

We also dropped by the dunes at Holme for a woodland walk and a pub lunch of French Onion Soup and Pate.

This morning, after breakfasting and packing, we headed out to the beach area for a walk - the temperature had dropped quite a lot but the morning was bright, and the strong winds pushed us onwards - turning round to head back to the car it hit us straight in the face, prickling our skin and making our eyes water.  The area behind the beach is wild and wonderful  full of rabbit holes and shingle where all kinds of coastal flowers grow in the summer.  After hibernating for most of the winter - I felt invigorated by our short break in the great outdoors and I have a feeling we may be doing this again next year  it was so enjoyable.