Monday 14 September 2015

Walking day 1. Hunstanton to Wells

Hello, how ya diddlin? Monday morning and it's raining, and they are digging up the roads in the village with three way traffic lights installed, it's a nightmare. Good job I'm not going anywhere. Will need to get out tomorrow though, taking car for MOT test. Crafty Club this morning, catch up time with the ladies. Just eaten lunch, it was a warm up, food made last night, Quorn pieces, onions, broad beans and couscous. 
So, let's get back to the holiday posts, the first day of walking, last Monday morning. Quick breakfast at Hunstanton Hostel, not up to YHA standards though, but it filled a hole, this is an independent hostel. The plan is to walk to Wells along the coastal path, the best place to start is the sea front.    
It was a bit dull and overcast, not many people about, the seafront kiosks were setting up for the day, one or two holiday makers taking a morning stroll.  
Hardy souls getting ready for a spot of wind surfing, brrrr, bit cold for that.

And off they go. Looks good fun but you wouldn't catch me doing anything on water except maybe a bit of paddling, and then only up to my knees.

Heading towards Old Hunstanton the Promenade ends and from here on the coastal path does not hug the sea, leaving it to go inland for short distances, then back again.

I passed by a lot of beach huts nestled among the dunes, all were empty with no signs of life, seems like the season is over here. Some were a bit dilapidated and in need of repair, a few were freshly painted. It's a nice spot to have a beach hut, but not all have a beach view like I have, ha ha.  

Back onto the beach again and more people wind surfing. I came across miles of clean sandy beaches during this walk, it's a great coastline for family holidays and days out.

Follow the acorn sign for the coastal footpath. It took me away from the coast towards Thornham.

Passing Broad Water, a big pond on my right hand side. 
Thornham Church, time for a sit down and a bite to eat on a conveniently placed bench.

Love the painted village signs around here. This one was different on each side.


There isn't a through route close to the coast between Thornham and Brancaster so the path goes inland down a minor road and across a track, then back on a road again. Once through Brancaster it goes behind some houses alongside a marsh. There the walking is made easy with a long stretch of boardwalk. 
Skirting round Burnham Deepdale, passing these boats, I struck up a conversation with an elderly lady walking her black labrador. We talked dogs naturally, she made me laugh with the tale of her friend who sleeps with her Jack Russell. One night the friend farted, and the dog bit her bum. Yes, she really did say that.

The path then goes out towards the sea over the marshes. It's a path constructed with hardcore, and it's a long slog with not much to look at, unless you are a keen bird spotter. I thought it was never going to end, at one point I wondered if I had taken a wrong turn because it seemed to be going in the wrong direction. Here's a bit of recycling, half a boat attached to a bench to make a shelter. Brilliant idea.

I checked the map several times against the few landmarks in the distance, then it turned a corner and went round a bend, and another bend, and then I saw Burton Overy Staithe coming into view. The path took me across a field towards this windmill which was just outside the village.

Leaving Burnham Overy Staithe. 
Time was getting on and I still had a few miles to do. The coastal path heads out over the dunes towards the sea. At one point I found myself on the beach, but finding the path was guess work. I knew I had to head over to the right towards the corner of a wood, so I took whatever route looked the easiest to get there. It meant going back onto the dunes. The path went along the left hand side of the wood, easy enough, then crossed over through the middle to the other side.

Looking at the map there was still a long way to go and it was getting late. I decided to leave the coastal path at Holkham Beach, and head towards the road, the shorter more direct route to Wells Next the Sea. I knew this hostel was self catering so I needed to buy food for my evening meal and breakfast, luckily there is a large Co op supermarket close by. It was 8pm when I finally checked in.

22 miles walked, I was glad to sit down. More tomorrow. Thanks for popping in.
Toodle pip

13 comments:

  1. 22 miles! No wonder you were ready for a sit down. Your fitness amazes me. I enjoy the virtual walk with you Ilona, ha ha. You had me nearly crying with the tale of the lady getting her bum bitten by her dog. My ribs ached. Its the way you tell em!
    Looking forward to tomorrows episode....

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  2. Beautiful! I just fall in love with your pictures! Thanks for taking us along to this lovely area.

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  3. Absolutely well done, we live near by and have done bits of the walks but never the whole way! You missed a treat at Thornham just up the lane on the main road is a heritage fruit farm and a good shop. Also a lovely cafe in a giant Yurt! Good job at Wells if you wander too far out on the beach at low tide it is miles and miles back to path along side the harbour!

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    1. Thanks for the tip off Trish. I buy the bare minimum in food while out walking, something lightweight to eat as soon as possible. Also I find farm shops a bit expensive. We have a few round here, I never use them.

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  4. My son's first paddle in the sea was at Wells Next The Sea when we lived in Lincolnshire. I remember the water being really shallow a long way in! And it was much warmer than our seas up here in the north of Scotland. Enjoy your holiday.

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  5. That's my brother's neck of the woods
    Lovely isn't it? x

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  6. You are able to capture some wonderful pictures on your walk. 22 miles! Yikes, that is so great! I'm like you, not catching me relying on a wind sail to get me out and back in the water.

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  7. Love the painted village sign at Thornham and also the boat shelter on the bench.

    It sounds like the coastal path is lovely but could use better path markers.

    Wow, 22 miles is a long day. Good for you.

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  8. 22 miles - long way to walk. Well done you are the best.

    Hope the next hostel is better in the breakfast department.

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  9. Definitely time for a rest after 22 miles! You amaze me. Loving the pictures, it is nice that you take us along with you. Thank you

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  10. Question? Do people just use the beach huts for the day at the beach,or do they sleep in the? I've been curious. I tried telling my daughter the dg story about the Jack Russell but I was laughing to hard to read the words out loud. Thanks for sharing?

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    1. Hi Sam. I am 99% sure that they are for day use only, though the wording in the paperwork would need to be carefully read to confirm that. There are no services connected. No water, no toilet, no electricity. Possibly some sneaky people might stay over and hope no one notices.

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  11. Thanks for such an interesting blog Ilona. I wish I was still fit enough to join you on one of your great walks. Good to hear that Heidi is still making progress. You must have worried about her whilst away, despite her being so well looked after. x

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