Frustrated Of Shotesham

For some time now I've been trying to visit Shotesham, (pronounced Shot-s'm), but for whatever reason the planets refused to line up right.

Eventually three days ago, at my second attempt, I entered the village for the first time. And it is indeed lovely, but I'll level with you - not a lot happened and the stuff that did was frustrating. Here are the highlights:


Immediately on arrival I got excited when I spotted a large bird of prey, hovering over a bend in the road. Unusually, the bird didn't fly off and so I had time to set up my camera for what I imagined would be an award winning wildlife photo. It was only, composing the shot that I realised this was one of those decoy birds attached to a wire. Ok so let's cross ornithology off the list.



Not to worry because my attention was quickly drawn to the small river that raged across the valley floor. Soon I was thrilled to discover that a public pathway followed the river seven miles to Tasburg. This is what I'd been searching for - my very own mini adventure. Half a mile in and I could have been in the Louisiana swamplands; unfortunately my path to adventure had disappeared, under a river, that was in no mood to negotiate. So did I wade across to bring you a more exciting blog. Don't be stupid!

Hungry and a little dispirited I decided to cut my losses and head home. And guess what I saw while driving back through Lound. Yes you've got it - road closed due to flooding. Sod it - I just drove straight through.

Now let's see if the car starts tomorrow.

Location:Manor Gardens,Great Yarmouth,United Kingdom

Asleep In Sea Palling

So I'm driving to Sea Palling and today it's just me, the sat nav and Nicky Campbell's Five Live Phone In, which is all about life in struggling seaside towns. And this is pretty much what I'm expecting from Sea Palling, a town with all the charisma of a door nob.

Things don't start well when I turn down Beach Road and can't find anywhere to park: not a verge, not a side road, nothing. Apparently downtown Palling is a shrine to the yellow line. By contrast the beach front is one huge car park and reluctantly I pay up, just one of two cars in a space the size of the Mojave desert. May I remind the council, it's January 31st and hardly peak visiting time. Ten minutes later I walk past a "Trust Parking" spot at £1.00 per day.

Stepping out of the car and nothing stirs; nobody is to be seen. The only sound - the rattling of the shutters on the cafe and the amusements. Heading to the beach, the last building I pass, is the public toilets, a place only the foolhardy or the very brave would dare visit. By way of compensation the beach is just as flat and lovely as everybody says.


Back in town I spot a person in the shop and I opt for a chocolate breakfast: a Toblerone, the size of a small roof beam. Energised I make for St Margaret's church and discover a couple of bespoke lanes, at the end of which are houses with uninterrupted views to the end of time. Indeed, with its cycle hire, church tea rooms, fudge shack and Tudor cottages, this place is starting to grow on me.



Before leaving, I turn off down the Marrams, a narrow lane that runs at the back and behind the dunes. Here enterprising/stupid people (you choose) have built all manner of sheds, huts and summer houses on the protected southwest side of the dunes. When I say "protected," that's a relative term, bearing in mind the millions of tons of North Sea Water just waiting behind you. To be honest I couldn't enjoy my tea with the threat of a tsunami ever present.

Given the fact that the people of Sea Palling don't get up much before ten, it's probably safe to assume they have the same cavalier, "don't give a toss attitude, about the North Sea, global warming or my parking problems. Me - I'd just like to know what medication they're on.

Location:Pottergate,Norwich,United Kingdom