North Norfolk Coast - Part (1)
This short holiday (7th to 11th Sept) was intended as a rest and relax break amongst the beautiful North Norfolk Coast, with our base for the four days being in Thornham. We started our holiday at Wells-next-the-Sea, just a few miles from the cottage we were to stay in. Leaving the town behind us, we headed for the sea front.
The chapel, now in ruins, was erected in 1272 in memory of St Edmund who landed at Hunstanton in 855 to be crowned King of East Anglia. He led an army against Viking invaders but was defeated, captured and martyred. He became the first patron saint of England. Near where we live, is the town of Bury St Edmunds, and the number of claims and rumours surrounding St Edmunds is amazing. We, too have statues of the wolf who apparently led people to his missing head, after his death and beheading. So the story goes!
Deserted!
What a lot of beach huts!
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Back at the town but facing the dunes with crab fishing for some, and eating fish and chips from the shops behind us, for lots of others - including us! |
Holme Dunes was our stopping point on our first full day. Another largely deserted beach. Just the sand, sea and gulls for company.
It did have had numerous pieces of timber at the top of the beach. Some of these had rather wonderful patterns on them. Other than that, just a peaceful beach.
Next day we started with a visit to Old Hunstanton. Always in awe of the marvelous cliffs which must surely be unique.
A couple of images of the cliffs in general showing the crumbling taking place. I don`t remember it being like this last time we visited. Mind you, that was some years back.
Wonderful patterns on the beach.stones.
Hang glider over the top of the cliff, going toward the lighthouse. I just loved the ripple effect on the sand created by the retreating tide. This image also shows how the cliff has crumbled away in places.
One of the reasons we wanted to explore along the Old Hunstanton beach was the presence of the wreck of a boat, which we had not learned of until recently. `T.S. Sheraton` was built in 1907 in a shipyard near Hull, with an engine supplied by a nearby company. The ship was 130 feet long and 23 feet wide and had a 12-foot draft; it was constructed of metal plates over metal runners with some internal wooden frames. It was powered by steam and had a single screw to drive the boat.
The Sheraton began its life as a trawler working out from Grimsby, which was a major fishing centre. When World War One broke out in 1914, the Sheraton was requisitioned by the Royal Navy to carry out minesweeping and anti-submarine duties. Sheraton was one of 800 trawlers requisitioned by the Navy to undertake wartime duties: often the fishermen were also taken into the service to crew their boats. Sheraton was transferred to become a boom defence vessel which patrolled the barriers erected to protect harbours and anchorages. She also carried out anti-submarine work, which involved net-laying and patrolling the anti-submarine booms.
Following the end of the war and after three years of hard service, the Sheraton was decommissioned: given her age and old-fashioned steam propulsion, there was no possibility of returning to her trawling duties. She was stripped of all her equipment, painted bright yellow and designated as a target for the RAF. The Sheraton’s engine was also probably removed at this time and concrete ballast put in its place
In 1946 Sheraton was towed to the Wash and anchored off Brest Sand, Lincolnshire, to fulfil her target duties for the RAF. In April 1947 a fierce storm broke out in the North Sea and Wash areas; Sheraton broke from her moorings and drifted across the Wash, coming to rest on Hunstanton beach. Efforts were made to tow her off, but to no avail, and Sheraton was eventually sold to scrap merchants, who stripped the boat down to her lower hull and keel.
The wreck remains on Hunstanton beach to this day, exciting interest from visitors, but is a testament to a very sad end to a vessel that had given such sterling service over two world wars.
Old Hunstanton Lighthouse is a former lighthouse but now a holiday cottage I believe. It was built at the highest point available on this part of the coast, on top of Hunstanton Cliffs, and served to help guide vessels into the safe water of Lynn Deeps. Although the present lighthouse was built in 1840, there had been a lighthouse on the site since the 17th century (prior to which a light to aid navigation may have been displayed from St Edmund's Chapel, the ruins of which stand nearby). Prior to the establishment of the Lynn Well light vessel in 1828, Hunstanton Lighthouse provided the only visible guide to ships seeking to enter The Wash at night.
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Ruins of St Edmund's Chapel
The wolf who found St Edmunds head.
A couple of images of Thornam nearer the sea, including the Coal Barn.
Thornham Harbour with its mill, the Coal Barn and granary depicted on the village sign. Having taken these village signs, it was back to base in Thornham, and for me, a walk back into the village to the local church.
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