June 16th - 30th 2011

Tuesday 20th June - Writing History, Taking a Shower, After the Rain and former Overstrand resident visits.

I have been thinking back to last Friday and my interview at BBC Radio Norfolk’s studios. One aspect of my website, which I had not previously considered and picked up by Kirsteen and David: I am writing history. With two excellent websites: ‘Overstrand Online’ and ‘This is Overstrand’, as well as the DVD, ‘Overstrand - Our Village Past and Present’, all uncovering the past, I had previously considered my website (not forgetting Overstrand Online which covers both past and present) to be conveying the present but of course today is tomorrow’s past. Following Kirsteen and Davids observations, could it be that in 100 years, Janet’s Diaries could be referred to as a record of Overstrand village life. Now there’s a thought!

Is this a first? Sitting in our conservatory on Saturday evening we watched a succession of showers pass over but what really caught our eye was a pigeon in our neighbour’s garden. It was taking a shower. It faced into the wind and as the rain blew across the garden it lifted up one wing for about a minute before folding it down and lifting the other; it repeated the process several times. It seemed intent on making sure it’s under-wing feathers were as wet as those on the surface and when the rain shower subsided it proceeded to preen. We have never seen a bird literally take a shower in this manner; most birds disappear from view when it rains. Peter took a photograph on high zoom through the glass, so there is some loss of clarity but it provides us with a record of what must have been the cleanest bird in Overstrand!

Pigeon takes a Shower

No sooner had we got out of the door on Sunday morning to take Barney for his walk than the rain started; it continued, with brief intervals throughout the day. During these breaks, between us we dived out into the garden to pick gooseberries, spinach and dig potatoes as well as tending to the chicken’s needs. Almost overnight brown parched grass that crunched beneath our feet became green again and of course the weeds have grown too. We have some Mullein plants, grown from seeds last year, dotted around the garden. With their silver grey soft haired leaves I was looking forward to seeing them flower, a welcome addition at the back of borders, with their spikes of yellow flowers. One plant in particular has exceeded all expectations; between a Musmula tree and a clump of Bamboo it stands majestically, over two metres high, its main flower spike contrasting against the brilliant blue skies on Monday.

Majestic Mullein

It was indeed a pleasure to meet a former resident of Overstrand on Tuesday. She contacted me last year and we arranged to meet during her visit from Canada. Along with Peter and Barney we walked through the village, where she was able to show us her childhood home whilst telling us about her friends and neighbours. It was extremely interesting to hear who lived where and how life was in our village during that era. We stopped for coffees at the Cliff Top Café where Lorraine was able to join us briefly, between serving customers, to talk about the Café in the past.

Busy Bee

Wayside Poppies

Friday 24th June - Peter Beale's Roses, Nostalgic Walk and Along the Beach and Cliff Tops.

In the past I never had great success growing Roses; the main problem was combating all the diseases and bugs they suffered from. However, since moving to Overstrand I have introduced a couple to the garden along with three miniatures, the types you buy from the supermarket for under £2, all have been successful apart from the occasional greenfly invasion. Maybe Roses are more suited to our dry Norfolk climate; they certainly don’t seem to object to the salty air here on the coast. I am no great enthusiast but I have sufficient interest to join a trip organised by the Overstrand Evening WI on Wednesday to Chelsea Flower Show winner, Peter Beale's Roses (see Links page for the website). Despite the heavy showers during the day, this was a most enjoyable outing. We arrived in good time for refreshments before a guided tour of the rose garden followed by a practical demonstration on bud grafting on a commercial basis, with samples of different types of Peter Beale’s roses passed round. Lunch was served in the marquee, followed by an opportunity for some retail therapy of the horticultural type, in the garden centre.

When we walked round the gardens, one particular rose caught my eye and after a little searching I found it in amongst the many banks of roses in the garden centre. I picked out the best specimen and this is now planted in our garden, where hopefully it will produce fragranced flowers for many years to come.

It has been a case of dodging the showers this week. We have been lucky with our early morning walks along the beach; these have been rain free, providing a number of photo opportunities. On Thursday afternoon, we met up again with the lady visiting Overstrand and the surrounding area (it is my policy not to mention names; unless they are in the public domain). We took, what was a nostalgic walk for her, bringing back memories as we headed up the footpath to Northrepps and back down Madams Lane. A heavy shower on our way back through the village but we were able to take refuge under a tree until it eased. We returned to our home for refreshments before saying our goodbyes with promises to meet again on her next visit to Overstrand.

Paws in the Sand

The weather on Friday was more settled, a mix of cloud and sun and highs of 18°C. In the afternoon we walked across the cliff tops, observing metal detecting on the beach below. This could be a risky hobby given that there could be mines from World War II still buried below the sands. A little bit of history; there was an Ordnance Depot adjacent to the car park where a hand grenade was discovered a couple of years ago. We returned along the footpaths and were impressed by two large bracket fungi, about the size of tea plates, growing on a tree trunk. Later I made the base for another batch of ice-cream using some of Beckie’s eggs. The final result will be a delicious rich and creamy ice to complement the strawberries and raspberries from our garden. I will add my recipe for home-made Vanilla Ice-Cream to the Recipe section, see tabs above.

Sea Defences

Stones in the Groins

Brackets

Metal Detecting

Tuesday 28th June - Sun, Salthouse and Sea Mists

Flowers, vegetables, fruits etc. are all two weeks ahead this year in their formation and cropping. This is the opinion of gardeners, either local or in the media and I concur. If you don’t have a garden, taking a walk along the local paths will provide the proof. On one of the footpaths up to Northrepps the cob nuts, sometimes known filberts or hazel nuts, are already well formed. It is the same with the hedgerow apples; following the ‘June drop’ they are well on their way to approaching full size.

It took some believing that temperatures at the weekend would climb to the higher twenties but they did and accompanied with clear blue skies we walked along the beach with Barney, just after 6 a.m. in our shorts and t-shirts. Sunday we enjoyed being out in the garden; what possessed me to cook Roast Beef (with our home-grown vegetables, including our first picking of Broad Beans, delicious and sweet) followed by a crumble made with Gooseberries from the garden and home-made ice cream, I cannot imagine. But sitting outside in the evening to eat, in the relaxed atmosphere of our garden, I decided it was well worth enduring the heat of the kitchen.

Apples, Northrepps Path

Cob Nuts

Monday and the temperatures were even higher, topping 30°C. A day to take things easy; we treated ourselves to lunch at Cookies in Salthouse. Cookies, as far as I am aware, is unique. An array of seafood to choose from, served with salad and eaten outside (there are a few tables inside) in the courtyard area, summerhouse, gazebo or spilling out onto the gravel frontage. Soft drinks are on sale; they don’t have a licence to sell alcohol so you can simply bring your own (plastic cups are provided if you forget your glasses). The atmosphere is congenial, the service prompt and if you prefer, you can buy the seafood to take-away and enjoy at home. Cookies, is extremely popular and always seems to be busy; during holiday periods it is advisable to reserve a table in advance to avoid disappointment. I have included their website on the Links page but to be quite honest it does not do justice to the novel experience Suzanne and Peter McKnespiey along with their staff provide. Of course there is always the alternative Dun Cow Public House which offers a varied menu, selection of real ales and excellent views across the saltmarshes from its gardens. We have always sung the praises of the Coastal Hopper, the drivers offer a friendly and caring service and operator, Norfolk Green Bus Company, most certainly deserved the award in 2010 for UK Bus Operator of the Year. Today’s trip from Cromer to Salthouse and back was no exception, just £2.70 for a return ticket and no charge for dogs; places of interest were pointed out on our journey by the driver e.g. John Major’s holiday home, 11th Century Church as Beeston Regis and so on. Now where do you get this kind of service on public transport! I must not forget the free guide titled ‘North Norfolk The Guide’, this was available on the bus and I understand from the driver in the Tourist Information offices too. It is packed with useful information along the coast from Hunstanton to Cromer and the booklet is just right size to slip in your pocket.

Dining at Cookies

Marshes, Salthouse

Cookies Shop

Cottage, Salthouse

Cottages adjacent to
 Dun Cow

The Old Post Office Shop

After having slept on Monday night with the windows open, laying on top of the bed with just a sheet to cover; Tuesday came as a complete change, a drop of about 14°C in temperature when the sea mists blew in during the course of the morning. Later, in the afternoon, thunder rumbled inland, working its way towards the coast, bringing with it lightning and heavy showers. Good timing was essential to nip out into the garden and cut a lettuce and pull some spring onions to add to other salad ingredients, (including the first of our beetroots), for dinner in the evening.