August 1st - 15th 2011

After my last diary entry when I expressed – ‘Is this summer that never was?’ – the weather has improved one hundred fold. On Saturday morning, though still overcast the increase in temperature was noticeable, when we took Barney out for a walk first thing. Poppy insisted on trying to join us but we managed to give her ‘the slip’ by taking a route away from the sea front. Walking along the Cromer Road (not a normal route for us at this time of day), was an eye-opener, the speeds at which the cars came through the village beggared belief. I know that around 6.15 a.m. there is little traffic on the roads but this does not provide an excuse for drivers to break the speed limits.

By midday, when the Fete at Northrepps opened, the sun had made an appearance. The Fete was held in the garden of the Northrepps Cottage Hotel; with all the stalls you expect at a village fete plus the opportunity to look inside the Hotel. In the Hotel’s function room, tables had been decorated providing examples of impressive layouts for weddings and parties. Outside, there was plenty of fun for all ages to be enjoyed; I wonder just how many balloons there were, packed into the Morris 1000? We walked back home via Northrepps village passing a farmer working on his fields – no rest on a Saturday for him during harvest.

Northrepps Village Fete

Since Saturday the weather has been on a high. Last week nobody could have been blamed for heading to the local travel agent or surfing the net, in search of a last minute break abroad in the sun. But now, who would want to stray far with all Norfolk has to offer. As I photographed vapour trails in the radiantly blue sky the other morning, I thought of busy airport lounges, baggage reclaim, security checks plus passport and immigration control. No, that is not for me, I am staying here – whatever the weather!

Working Saturday

We have visitors arriving on Thursday, with plenty of places to go and things to do, I will take a break from my diaries and catch-up next week.

Vapour Trails

Thursday 4th August - Starting Today!

Cromer Beach Mission has commenced today. I remember three years ago when we were here property hunting, we stood watching the children on the beach. I am sure the adults were enjoying it as much as the children - fun for all. For more details go to the Links page and 'click' on the Cromer Beach Mission button.

The monthly Parish Council meeting on Wednesday evening proved lively, with reports and questions posed to the Councillors from the public during the open part of the meeting. Probably not the staid kind of meeting one would imagine taking place in a tranquil coastal village; parishioners are vocal in expressing their concerns relating to our village and will take the time to allay misconceptions and misrepresentations. Even though Parishioners cannot take an active part in the meetings, it is important that opinions and suggestions are bought to this forum. Meetings are open to the public and the Chairman, Mr Eric Vickers, has always welcomed parishioners to this monthly event. Parish Council meetings are held on the first Wednesday each month in the Parish Hall and commence at 7.30 p.m. Minutes of meetings are posted on the village noticeboards as well as on the village and parish council website www.overstrandonline.org.uk.

We and that includes Barney too, thoroughly enjoyed the company of visitors over the weekend. Friday morning, we took the bus to Salthouse and walked back through the village stopping at the Church to look at the art exhibition; Salthouse 11, Ad Lima. A varied selection of artists work; I particularly liked the facial qualities captivated in Ad Limina (William and Elizabeth) by Paul Bernard Harris as well as Salthouse IV by Laurie Rudling with the curves giving a galleon effect to the village. We had pre--booked a table for lunch at Cookies – always advisable during holiday periods. When we arrived filming was in progress with owners Suzanne and Peter McKnespiey plus a ‘presenter’ unknown to me, enjoying plates of samphire; while a cameraman caught the moment. As always, efficient service with consistently good seafood salads, although I will say: Peter's crab had some

Salthouse Church

damage to the shell and meat but there was no quibble; he was given a complementary Crab to take home. After a walk along the footpath to Kelling we picked up Norfolk Green's Coastal Hopper bus, stopping off at Sheringham to see the Poppy Line Steam Railway and take a walk through the town and along the front. In the evening we ate at the White Horse in the village where our guests were impressed by the quality and presentation of the dishes and of course the friendly service too.

It rained Saturday morning providing time to look at our visitors photographs from their homeland, New Zealand. Their hometown is similar to Cromer in many ways, with the outlying mountainous scenery, stunning and dramatic. The rain cleared late morning; dry by the time we walked to the Cliff Top Café (or in view of the number of

Poppyline Railway

pictures and photographs displayed on the walls, maybe it should be called the Cliff Top Café & Gallery) for lunch, this was followed by a walking tour of our village. So as to not miss any important details, we took with us ‘A Visitors Guide to Overstrand Past and Present’; a leaflet providing invaluable information pertaining to a number of notable buildings in the village (the leaflet can be purchased from the village store or direct from our Parish Council Clerk, Tel: 01263 579463). Later we walked along the beach to Cromer, where we ate traditional fish and chips on the pier before going to the Pavilion Theatre (see 'Cromer Pier' on the Links page) for the Summer Seaside Special. A cast comprising of dancers, singers, comedian, trick cyclist and ventriloquist provided a varied programme. Most of the credit must go to the ventriloquist Steve Hewlett who along with dummies, in particular Arthur Lager & Elmo, not only kept the audience laughing but also bonded the show and artists together resulting in a good two hours of solid entertainment.

Sunday we walked up to the Foundry Arms, taking advantage of their lunch offering two courses for £8, good value with a varied menu – not just roasts. We then said our goodbyes; our visitors drove back to London and as usual, when visitors leave, Barney spent a quiet evening in his bed in reflection. It has been a good break for us from the day to day routine and most certainly a pleasure to share our part of North Norfolk with others in appreciation too.

Monday and the winds built up; we knew these were eminent when we saw the two larger vessels which have been working on the Sheringham Shoal Wind Farm (see Links page) heading along the coast in the Great Yarmouth direction. When I look back through last year’s diaries, the weather is pretty well mirrored with my entry for 20th August. The winds not quite as strong but still uncomfortable walking along the beach first thing; coupled with noticeably cooler mornings it has felt autumnal!

Eating out, apart from breakfasts, over the weekend has resulted in a back-log of vegetables. A selection; Runner Beans, Courgettes, Cucumbers and an Aubergine went back to London but there was still plenty in the fridge. I cooked the French Beans in olive oil (see Green Beans in Olive Oil on Recipe pages) for the freezer and we ate some of the Runner Beans and Spinach on Monday evening along with home-grown potatoes and half of one of Mr Kew’s Steak and Ale pies, very enjoyable. Tuesday, we will move on to the salad produce, returning to runner beans and courgettes on Wednesday!

Tuesday, a number of heavy showers in the night and with the winds continuing, some of the less rigid tents on the Overstrand cliff top camping field flapped and swayed. These were packed away during the course of the morning; I can only assume the occupants had a less than peaceful night’s sleep. I hope they have found more suitable pitches further inland, sheltered from the blustering squalls. Peter spotted a sailing ship heading northwards and checking on the Shipping Locator website (see Links page) finder discovered it was the Lord Nelson Sailing Ship; under engine power and only managing 3 knots as it headed northwards against the wind, towards Hartlepool. What a sight this would have been under full sail.

Authorities have been trying to locate the origins of the large lumps of paraffin wax that have been washed up on local beaches. It was about ten days ago that we first saw these large cylinders, resembling the remains of marble columns, on Overstrand beach. They are impossible to move and since then some have started to break up, whereas others have sunk into the sands. Fellow dog walkers made enquiries through the District Council and were told, similar lumps had been reported on the beaches along this stretch of the Norfolk coast. There is a report in North Norfolk News which is worth reading; in short, the wax has washed up from as far south as Lowestoft and currently as far north as East Runton, their source is still under investigation.

Friday 12th August - Changeable Weather, Property Hunting, Let's Talk and Cromer Carnival

Since Tuesday, the winds have dropped, temperatures are warmer but the weather is not settled, as we found to our cost on Thursday afternoon. After an initial grey, damp start to the day the weather brightened and by the afternoon it was warm and extremely pleasant. We set out with Barney towards Northrepps but by the time we started our return down Madam’s Lane we could see sheets of rain heading our way. With no substantial shelter we took refuge against a hedge and under a tree until the worst had passed but we still had a thorough soaking! Still; nothing towels, dry clothing and a hair dryer could not put right.

Weather Improves

The sudden burst of rain bought back memories of three years ago, when we came here ‘property hunting’. On the morning we arrived there had been deluges and as we drove through Cromer we saw fire engines; deployed to pump out flooded areas. At that time we had been visiting the area for 23 years and had always had a ‘soft spot’ for Overstrand. However, we decided to take a broad look at properties in Cromer and the surrounding villages. We based ourselves at the White Horse in Overstrand and looked at a number of properties externally and booked viewings for those which particularly appealed; a bungalow with stunning interior design, a new build with a kitchen to die for, another with views over open fields etc., but none of them really ticked all the boxes. Ready to return to what was then home, we realised we had missed out one property; need I say more, it ticked all the boxes and here we are today!

Bee on Thistle Flower

The ever popular Overstrand Gardening Club, attracting members from not only the village but the surrounding area too, is featured in the September edition of the regional magazine - Let’s Talk. The article covers the Five-a-Day Exhibition to be held in conjunction with the Belfry Arts Centre, between the 15th-18th September. The exhibition will embrace art work on the theme of fruit and vegetables along with produce grown by villagers, in their gardens or allotments. This is a totally new concept with full credit to Joe Gaston, the Chairman of the Overstrand Gardening Club and his wife Nora, who runs the Belfry Arts Centre.

More than one use for fish boxes!

With the Cromer Carnival getting into full swing on Saturday it is unlikely there will be a spare bed, caravan to rent or vacant tent pitch anywhere in the locality. The Parade, Red Arrows display and Fireworks are impressive, as are all the events during the week. There are photographs of last year’s Carnival Parade on my Photo Gallery, giving a taster of the kind spectacle visitors are likely to see. Full programme details can be found through the following link Cromer Carnival Events