Tag Archives: Norfolk

Norfolk, Part II

Today, I’m continuing my pictorial tour of our recent trip to Norfolk.  If you missed Part I, not to worry.

Next on our to-do list…

3. Go to Salthouse Beach.  Buy a really good Americano from the man with an espresso machine in his van (seriously). Sit on the pebble beach.  Realize your lifelong dream of finding an unbroken dried starfish.  Watch your child play.  Shed a little tear (really) at how completely and utterly blessed and loved you feel in this moment.

4. Drive to Holkham.  Walk to the beach that Gwyneth Paltrow strolled along in the final scene of Shakespeare in Love. Play in the sand.  Take a family photo.

Sometimes there’s so much to do, that going somewhere with no wifi and really bad mobile phone service is the only thing that can make you stop and remember that this – this – is your life.

Your husband.

Your son.

Staying up late watching football and eating chocolate.

Waking up early to your toddler, who has learned to copy his dad, shouting, “Faif!  Faif!”

Sitting on a beach with a cup of coffee for hours.  Shedding real tears because this moment is a gift, and you have done everything not to deserve it.

This life is beautiful.

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Filed under England, marriage, photography

Norfolk, Part I

A couple of weeks ago, we took an impromptu trip to North Norfolk (England, not Virginia).  Simon had taken a few days off work, but we hadn’t really made any plans, and then a friend offered us her parents’ caravan (Americans, read: mobile home).  It was cozy and funny and floral, and reminded me of our friend’s grandma’s house at Myrtle Beach.

Our friend James gave us a very specific list of things to do while we were there, and every one of them was just perfect.

1. Stop at Stiffkey Stores.  Have a coffee and a cake, and look at all the lovely things.

2. Go to Wells-Next-the-Sea (yes, that is the actual town name). Sit in the harbour and eat the best fish and chips in the world.  Watch your child implode from excitement as you ride a little train to the beach.  Dig your toes in the sand.

I didn’t know how much I needed a vacation until I took one.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

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Filed under England, family, photography