We’re seeing the last of the colours around here, with a flurry of reds and golds before the trees show their bones for the winter. With the moon coming full, we can look out of the window and see the dark outlines of bare branches silhouetted against it.
From our Instagram, @North.Sea.Living.
The Staghorn Sumac tree we planted five years ago is performing its annual show, warming the courtyard with flaming orange and red as the weather cools.
From our Instagram, @North.Sea.Living.
The strengthening winds of autumn, low pressure in the North Sea and the natural cycle of spring tides will often bring the sea flooding over Blakeney Quay as the year wanes.
I could see it from the bedroom window this morning and ventured out with Bonzo, my trusty four-legged assistant, to take a few photos before breakfast.
From our Instagram, @North.Sea.Living. Bonzo, who is considerably more famous, has his own @bonzosworld.
It was one of those magical sunsets yesterday, when the heavy, grey sky suddenly lights up at the last minute. Taken at Morston, on one of the little docks where the sailing boats moor.
From our Instagram, @North.Sea.Living.
It’s that time of year again! Last year’s visit was all summer and sunshine. This year was more autumnal. “Seasons of mist…” And all. That having been said, some things were the same. Food by the wonderful couple at Oystercatcher Catering with good friends and good wine.
The raft made another appearance. Grey, windy, and wetsuited up; we pushed and pulled quite a load. The dinner and fire were a welcome site.
The next several days were grey and misty with breaks of sun. Much fun was had with games, fishing, and BBQ breakfasts!
Our last day brightened and it was like summer again for a day. It all started off with freshly caught fish, followed by some rough surf swimming.
Finally it was time to go home. Coasting in on the rising tide was a dream compared to the ride over.
The last leg was aided by our own personal life boat to give us a pull once the tide turned and the trip was complete.
This year proved that the Watchouse is great fun in all weather. Here’s to another great year!
Having lived in Blakeney for two years and three summers we have only just made our first trip to the Watch House! (Half Way House to you Cley residents) What an oversight!! We should have done this every year, and will from here on in. Our adventure started with a vision. A raft. A swimming platform. This dream has taken us all summer. By which, I mean, we have sporadically made a token effort to build said raft. But the trip was upon us and we had no means of transporting our provisions. So a last ditch effort was made and the raft took form. Largely untested I was nervous it would even float and when high tide and sunset on an overcast day coincide, there is little margin for error. Luckily she floated! A gusty north wind and the tide against us we made quite a spectacle on the quay.
A good while later we arrived and could not have felt more grateful or cozy anywhere else in the world after that ordeal.
The morning was clear and bright and many adventures were had, including mud racing, skim boarding, swimming in the waves, cub, and most importantly the BBQ!
As sunset approached our raft became a swimming platform swiftly followed by a kayak with a seal for the boys and wine on the dock for the girls. Dinner mainly consisted of cheese and wine and cards.
Breakfast BBQ anyone? Bubble and squeak with samphire, sausages, bacon, fried and poached eggs and grilled tomatoes! I always make a point of travelling with a chef!
All too soon it was time to go. We packed up the raft and dragged it out into the main channel. The return trip could not have been more different to the way out! We casually drifted into Blakeney and arrived in style on the quay.
What a trip. What a place. A mile from my house we found a little paradise. Holiday is definitely a state of mind. I can only advise annexing a small spit of land like a pirate to everyone to make you forget your problems.
The warm reds, yellows and oranges still floating on the tree branches around this little corner of North Norfolk have been remarkable the last week. Not least because November is waning fast and December nearly upon us. After spending some time in New England during October, where we were treated to the best an American fall has to offer – framed and intensified by two weeks of intense blue sky – it feels like an extra bonus to have an unexpected, late display of colour back in the UK.
The photo above was taken in Langham on a morning walk.
