North Norfolk
Undoubtedly Norfolk has one of the best coastlines in the whole of the UK. I love the area between Cromer and Brancaster with the wide sweeping beaches at Wells and Holkham, Brancaster itself and many more little villages along the way.
Little coastal places like Cley and Morston and Salthouse where many of my ancestors lived. There are bigger towns like Wells and Blakeney and of course Cromer and Sheringham. The list could go on and on - Thornham, Weybourne, Stiffkey, Wiveton. Every one a stop on a wonderful seaside journey.
Seaside is a strange word. It says exactly what it says on the tin unless you are a very young grandchild. Years ago we used to take Elliot to the seaside and so he associated that word with Great Yarmouth and Cromer - both of which he loved.
He must have been about three or four when we took him to Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire. We walked to the sea and he said "when will we be at the seaside?" "We are at the seaside," I replied. "That's the sea and we are beside it."
Took us a while to realise that he only saw Great Yarmouth and Cromer as the seaside. A similar thing happened years later with granddaughter Poppy. We told her we were taking her to Norwich and she didn't understand the idea that Norwich was a place. So she thought a specific building was Norwich rather than a whole area.
Great Yarmouth Hippodrome
The noise, the smell, the memories of the UKs only existing permanent circus. Gone are the days of animals and clowns but it's still a show of pure escapism for a couple of hours.
Cromer Pier
Sea air, a couple of cafes, wooden seats, ozone and a lifeboat museum at the end. What's not to like?
Great Yarmouth market chips
Best chips in Norfolk (maybe the whole country). More about these in my coming blog on Yarmouth.
Great Yarmouth Joyland
A small but perfectly formed pleasure beach for younger children. Again more in my coming blog.
Putting green at Cromer
The site of the annual grandad v grandson challenge whereby Elliot cons me out of money by making me think that he will be as bad as he was last year at putting only to show that he has been practising and is now very good. Last time out it cost me £20 as Poppy got the same payment as Elliot. The match to be re-started as soon as lockdown is over. A lovely little 18 hole fun course and very good value for money.
Carrow Road
Has to be on the list for obvious reasons as I have invested thousands of hours in this place over the past 60 years of supporting Norwich City.
Blickling Hall/Oxburgh Hall/Felbrigg Hall
A trio of National Trust properties in lovely grounds - good for history and good for walking.
Norfolk Broads
Lovely waterways and so peaceful. I particularly love How Hill where I have spend many happy hours.
Norwich market
One of the largest if not the largest permanent outddor market in the country. Goes back to the 11th century. Today it's a real mixture of fruit and veg stalls, food outlets and much more. Always worth a visit and very colourful.
Norwich Cathedral/Castle
You want history, well here it is.
I will list many more places in coming blogs. Do let me know what your special places are.