For the first time since I started going away with the camera, I had booked myself into two B&Bs instead of one. My stay in Great Yarmouth was over and for once I had a lovely lie-in. Having discovered that the beach at Happisburgh was inaccessible since the ramp had been washed away, my planned sunrise location was a write-off. I’d spent a frantic hour the day before, scrolling through Flickr images in the region, trying to find a replacement. I’d seen some lovely piers in the early morning, but checking on the most recent images, it was to find they had been partially destroyed by fire. In the end, I decided that burning the candle at both ends was taking a toll on my health, so a rest seemed to be in order. It would take around 1.5 hours to drive up to Hunstanton and it made sense not to push myself too hard. I set the alarm for 6.30.
I had already decided to stop off at Wells-next-the-Sea on the way, attracted by over 200 colourful beach huts backed by dense pine woods. Arriving mid-morning, the first thing that struck me was the sheer number of visitors enjoying the late September sun. I passed many who were taking the narrow gauge railway from the town to the beach and the car park was also quite full. However, the beach turned out to be so vast that once I began making my way along the front of the huts, I saw only a handful of people.
I found the deep sand hard going, but at least it gave me a chance to see the huts up close. Some were in need of TLC, like this one below. I loved the way the colour of the rust had caused streaks down the doors.
Looking out to sea, I could barely see the water, but I was struck by this couple clearly enjoying the same view.
The huts were wonderful to see, but I soon discovered that photographing them from the front wasn’t going to be easy. Sand had clearly blown in since they had last been used and many were half-buried. The pine trees behind were lovely and gave off a delightful scent, but the sun was coming from behind and the huts were mostly in deep shade. I pressed on and eventually found a few sandy tracks leading through the woods. I thought the view was far better looking out to sea as in the images featured at the top and also below.
Following the path beyond the very last hut, I made my way back to the car park through the woods. For once I had time for lunch and I sat on one of the outside benches, enjoying the sun and chatting to a lovely lady who was waiting for her friend. It was a short drive to my new B&B in Hunstanton, where I had plans to spend the entire afternoon and evening on another beautiful Norfolk beach.
sidilbradipo1
14 Jan 2019Stunning B&W shots 😍
I would have liked to be there, on the beach together with those two persons, because I love the sea and the strand in winter 😋
Happy Monday!
Sid
Zooey
14 Jan 2019Hi Sid! I hope you are keeping well and had a good Christmas. I too love the sea in winter, although this was taken in the autumn. Care must be taken on these beaches, as it is easy to get cut off 🙂
sidilbradipo1
14 Jan 2019Christmas was a good day 😁
Here in winter there is a big problem with beaches, most of them disappear, literally! To take care of them is very important 🙂
Ciao
Sid
Zooey
14 Jan 2019When I went to Broadstairs with the new camera, they had made a tall bank of sand to protect the top of the beach from damage. Norfolk is far worse as they are losing beaches (and land and houses) at a remarkable rate 🙁
sidilbradipo1
14 Jan 2019This is the same phenomenon we have in Liguria, Puglia and Lazio, a very tragedy because it costs too much to save them 🙄
Ciao
Sid
Zooey
15 Jan 2019I know. The thing is, can we (or should we) really be trying to fight nature? I’m not sure I have an answer for that 🙁
sidilbradipo1
15 Jan 2019Me, too, no answer but have hope something will be done to prevent beaches to disappear 😕
Have a wonderful evening!
Sid
Zooey
15 Jan 2019You too my friend 🙂
Photofinland by Rantasalot
14 Jan 2019Great photos, I love them.
Zooey
14 Jan 2019Thank you 🙂