The thing is, messing on google I found California to Cromer listed as one of the UK's great drives. Darned if I know how that happened. Had I missed something on previous trips along that coastal road? Sparked by the article I was determined to repeat the drive, this time with eyes wide open ..... and then as sometimes happens, it turned out to be a gem of a day: a shiny, golden, soft-top, window-down type day.
So let the drive begin:
In California, early Easter arrivals were chuffed to have the campsite to themselves, Scratby sparkled and even up the road, in Hemsby, the folk looked happy. As ever the Winterton Valley, with its giant wind turbines, looked like a scene direct from,"War of the Worlds". Wonderful views for sure, but alas, no sign of Tom Cruise.
It was just outside West Somerton that I screeched to a halt, entranced by the creek, a cluster of cottages and thoughts of an early lunch. At that exact moment I wanted a future, that included a boat on a river. I'd deal with the flooding later.
If Horsey Mill was all reeds, then Waxham was all coastal plain. Ingham was discreet, Happisburgh dramatic and Eccles was simply unbelievable - a psychadelic shithole, built with lego, by a bunch of drug-crazed DIY enthusiasts.
Pity too, poor Walcott, a town forgotten by the property boom - and now unfairly matched in a fight to the death with the North Sea.Today's main attraction - a car boot of storm-damaged material.
Next up and it's Bacton. Memo to the council - not sure you need that welcome sign. It maybe best, to let people just drive on through.
So moving on like a bat outta hell and it's Mundesley: a town of fine buildings, that always evokes memories of the Haig Club, a venue where the changing room, at the back of the stage, opens directly onto the North Sea. Not the place to be loading a van at 2.00 in the morning in the middle of February. Bracing doesn't quite cover it.
Today at 2.00 in the afternoon Mundesley looked magnificent. There I've said it.
The last leg of the journey and things are definitely looking up: Overstrand as ever, appeared classy and elegantly coiffured. And finally to ensure maximum sensory overload, it's a grand finish, racing downhill past the Golf Club and the Country Club into Cromer.
And there you have it. Ok, the title wasn't up to much but the drive - well for sheer diversity, it takes some beating.
Location:Pottergate,Norwich,United Kingdom
