North-west Norfolk is just a 90 minute drive from Rutland so on Saturday we visited the Norfolk coastline. We drove to Hunstanton and then got the local bus to Thornham and walked back along the beach.
The beach was empty, except for the large numbers of birdwatchers. We asked one of them what they were looking for and apparently there had been a big storm at sea, which meant that a wide variety of birds could end up on the beach. We couldn’t see any birds, so we carried on along the beach.
Along the way we saw some cool sand formations… and also some dead starfish and loads of razorshells on the beach
Soon we caught sight of the main chalk cliffs of Hunstanton…
But we also saw many more starfish, snails, crabs and razorshells. There were literally 10s of 1000s starfish on the beach.
After saving a few half alive starfish and snails by putting them in water, and after playing with a few crabs, we headed back to the car in Hunstanton, just before the rains came.
Back at home, I looked up the starfish phenomenon and apparently this happens about once a year when a large storm dislodges sea creatures from the ocean bottom and hurls them all onto the beach.
The seaside is strangely compelling place to visit isn’t it, why is that? Why are we fascinated with the sea?
Looks like this might be a great surfing beach too when there’s a storm in the east? Is this gonna be close to your new home?
Hunstanton is probably about 90 minutes from our new home; we’re looking forward to exploring the rest of the Norfolk coastline :-).
The sea is compelling, perhaps because we cannot see what it contains? Except when a storm throws the contents onto the beach!
I’ve never seen a sun starfish other than on the TV. Shame you couldn’t take it home & dry it out – or would it just decompose?
It would be my worst nightmare to have something squidgy from the sea on the mantlepiece. The thought of it gives me the heebie jeebies :freeze: ❗ .
Ha! I didn’t mean put it on the mantlepiece/anywhere whilst it was still squidgy (BTW, was that an unintentional pun?!)- it would have to be dried out first!
Paul: Even if it was completely dry and crispy, it would still not be allowed anywhere near my mantlepiece. I just don’t like slimy things that live in the sea.
Looks like a great place to escape the crowds.
What, Norfolk? How very dare you :sarcy: