A Sunny Sunday

We woke up on Sunday morning to clear blue skies and unusually warm temperatures for March. What to do with such a lovely day, we pondered? 

A trip to the beach was definitely in order, we couldn't let a day boasting balmy 17c temperatures go to waste. After all, who knows when the sun might next show its face. 

One of the perks of going to University in Norwich is that the beach isn't far away at all. The beautiful seaside town of Cromer is just a mere 40 minute drive away and Great Yarmouth is even closer, but definitely the more tacky of the two. 

After a short car journey with the windows down and music blaring, we arrived at Cromer's famous pier. Cromer is a traditional Norfolk seaside town with a sandy beach and rows of colourful beach huts. The last time I visited was in October when some friends from home were staying but the weather then was wet, cold and windy, so it was nice to see the town under rays of warm Spring sun. 

The town itself doesn't have much to boast apart from a few outdated shops and a Budgens, but as you approach the seafront the streets become narrower and are packed with dainty cafes and ice cream parlours. 

We knew it would be busy due to the weather, but we didn't quite expect to see a long que forming outside the fish shop at 11am as eager beach goers waited to order their cod and chips. Clearly it's never too early for fish and chips! The real reason was that Mary Janes was the only place open as it is still out of season and shopkeepers probably hadn't anticipated this unexpected warm spell. 

First we went for a saunter along the pier, which was actually badly damaged during the winter storms in November, so parts of it are under repair. It did feel a bit unstable, especially due to the throngs of visitors making their way along it. 

At the end of the pier is a pavilion theatre and restaurant which features comedy shows and the annual Cromer Christmas pantomime. 

The girls enjoying the sun. 

The view looking back towards the town from the pier. 

Just in case any of us were tempted to have a pre-lunch swim.

Eager fishermen had their lines strung out hoping for a catch of Cromer crab. 

Afterwards we went for a walk on the beach itself. 

Jess, who was not wearing the most appropriate beach attire, got caught by a sneaky wave.

The after shot. 

Whilst the girls went off in search of some famous Cromer crab sandwiches, I settled down for a little snooze on the rug and napped with the sun on my face and the sound of the waves gently lapping the shore, dreaming blissfully of summer months and imagining I was somewhere far far away and exotic like Barbados. If only...

                   

The beach itself is a mixture of sand and pebble. It was packed with families enjoying the weather; some adventurous little ones even went for a quick dip, but ran out quickly after with frost bitten bodies, shocked by the deceptively cold sea. 

Jess looking très nautical with a boat called Irene. Definitely channeling her inner Sailor here.

After a picnic lunch, with a lot of sand (a gust of wind sent a torrent of sand into my actual sandwich making it a somewhat crunchy experience), we headed back towards the town and just had time for an ice cream before heading home with sun kissed cheeks. 

How did you spend your sunny Sunday?