Day 194 The Coast

Wednesday 13 July

 It was a cold, windy day with the threat of rain in the grey skies.  We had hoped to hire a dayboat and explore some of the Broads but instead decided that exploration by car would be more comfortable.  We headed to Cromer on the coast north of Hickling.  It is famed for its dressed crab and to be honest there wasn't much else there to be impressed by.  It's a dour red brick town that has seen better days.   The large victorian hotels loomed over the narrow streets and all looked in need of a coat of paint and modernisation. We battled the wind as we struggled along the sea front to the pier.  At the end of the pier is the lifeboat station which contains a substantial lifeboat which must be a reassuring sight if you're in trouble on the huge seas here.  Back in town we had lunch in a cafe and I can confirm that the reputation for crab is well deserved as I tried the dressed crab salad.

Further up the coast at Sheringham we visited the town museum where we learnt the history of the Sheringham lifeboats.  The earlier ones were open boats propelled by 16 oarsmen and a lugsail. To set out in one in rough seas to undertake a rescue must have taken the utmost courage.

Our final stop was at Mundesley for a cream tea and some photos of the sea.

Rough Seas

Rough Seas

Cromer Pier

Nets in Sheringham Museum