The thoughts of the country are turning towards the end of COVID restrictions. TFB has announced that the world can go back near normal on 19 July - whatever that means exactly, He has even caved in with the plan to restrict overseas travel. It is all stations go to head to amber list countries without quarantine on your return. Easyjet, Tui and Jet2 collectively can all breathe a sigh of relief. The the availability of facilities and the costs involved on these travel options remain somewhat vague, but at least they promise guarantees of sunshine. The lack of available opportunities to holiday in Europe on a budget have provided opportunities for others. The UK seems keen to rediscover the coast and where better than the North East Premier Seaside Resort? The accents are unfamiliar, as I wander along the bottom prom. The glowing reports in the Sunday Times have paid dividend. The pursuit of high quality fish and chips might have to wait a bit longer though. The better establishment in town is still closed for an extensive makeover and there was no obvious end in sight, as I walked past. The Cliff Lift doors also remain firmly closed.
The Victorian design forcing passengers to share the same air does not fit well with the new COVID reality and social distancing. The pier is busy. It suffers none of the ventilation issues, although there isnt what you would call a sea breeze today. The amusements should be doing a good trade, but folk see6keener on the open air attractions. Crazy golf anyone?
The weather is best described as changeable, but there is a determination to make the most of it. It is just like the old days. Fun will be had - no matter what! The weekend sees the new chalets pretty much sold out. The visitors seem content to sit in a deck chair and watch the world go by or the in or the raindrops falling. The executive campervan crew have descended. The scene was dominated by the surfing fraternity not long ago, but a battered VW is not the sight today. The surfers would be disappointed for a number of consecutive days. The sea was flat calm. There have been more ripples in a washing up bowl.
were no thoughts of venturing abroad. If you look back through my blogs, you will see me wandering with a small four legged friend. The bundle of fun that was Crystal the Norfolk Terrier left us over 4 years ago now. She belonged to the Outlaw, but was my on our visits. Today, I am introducing the new Norfie in our lives - our Vera. The brown eyed girl. Vera does of course have a posh name too, but that is for the show ring and wont impress any locals in these parts. She is in the North East to meet the Outlaw and get her first taste of the seaside. There is much to see and do - muddy paws down the woods, paddling in the sea, sand dunes to dig in and lots of dog socialising. The NEPSR is dog heaven. Vera remains unfazed by the new experiences and bounds in each day with an unparallelled enthusiasm for the next adventure. This blog is littered with her photographs and I make no apology for the fact that she will feature heavily going forward. If it is a Norfolk Terrier photo you were after, you have come
We start off on our exploration in a relaxing fashion. Vera has not been used to this exercise regime, so we limited our activity to bursts. She has already grasped that there is a good social scene for both dogs and humans at Camfields. The tables are still not back, but new seats have been attached to the wall to allow a sit and a gaze. Crystal could not pass this place - there was always a prospect of a crumb falling from a table in her direction. Vera, as yet uncorrupted by the treat regime, is content to sit and people watch and lap up praise from passing strangers.
The tide is out. Dogs are banned from the central section of the beach between April and September, so we restricted our time on the sand to a short stroll by the Ship Inn. There are mysterious rock pools to explore, a spot of paddling in the sea and seaweed.
