Oooh How embarrassing!

Plans went a bit haywire today. Horsey Windpump was on the 'to do' list and then a look around Cromer. We got to Horsey, another NT place and I'm not sure what I expected. Certainly not the picturesque setting that appeared before me. I just thought we would be looking at a windmill! Ian had looked online so had a rough inkling of what to expect but had failed to impart this knowledge to me. Anyway, we had a look around the windmill which was not used for grinding grain but for pumping water.

Lovely being able to step out onto the walkway at the top to admire the surrounding marsh and with no more than five people allowed up at any time, it was hardly crowded although a little cosy when all vying for the same small bit of staging!.

 
Nearly midday so we thought we may as well have a walk first, then have lunch and head off for Cromer when we had finished. But best-laid plans 'cos on the walk Ian happened to spy a sign with the words Wildlife boat trips written on it. Well, how could we pass up that opportunity? Next trip was at 12.15, just 20 minutes to wait. Forget lunch then this trip couldn't be missed. It didn't disappoint either. Skipper Ross took us out onto Horsey Staithe and was the font of all knowledge on wildlife things pointing out Marsh Harriers, Kingfishers, Reed Warblers etc. We did have a moment when all of us wondered if we would get back. The engine conked out and it took a lot of twiddling with things in his toolbox to get it going again. And it happened right on a bend too, when we were on the wrong side of the water! Looking at a caterpillar we were when it happened and I was blamed because I had asked him to go back so I could get a photograph! We did eventually arrived back and as Ian got his wallet out to pay the £20 for the hour trip he suddenly realised that all he had in his wallet was a ten-pound note! Oh eck...how embarrassing...now what. But all was not lost as I came to the rescue remembering that I had a Tenner in my purse back at the Beast. So after a quick 'there and back' gave Ross the money owed.

Looking in vain for another note!

Marsh Harrier

This was the caterpillar. I think he said it was from the Drink Moth

Rotated the picture to show it more clearly.

And the cacoon

 Thinking it was about time to find somewhere to stop for the night we headed back along the same road. Suddenly I spied a sign. Seals can be seen off this coastline. Another about turn down a dirt track to come to Horsey Warren. A 15-minute walk took us along the seafront where sure enough many a seal was playing in the surf.

 As to somewhere to stop for the night. We found a lovely rural carpark, had just settled down to eat dinner when a knock on the side of the Beast got our attention. Ian went to see what the chap wanted and was told in no uncertain terms that we couldn't park there overnight! Arggggggggg😧