The fun started at the fabulous Scole Inn - as a big surprise, the staff had arranged a birthday treat, and they all enthusiastically entered into the spirit of the evening's theme - a return to the golden standards of 1951. We were rather disappointed to find that actual rationing was not in effect, but nevertheless the ancient inn managed to convey the essential dreariness of the period with stunning accuracy.
Some of us chose to drown our sorrows in drink - as the next shot shows a plethora of nearly empty glasses:
Party on!! (and watch out for the woman at then end, who seems to have taken to the spirits rather over-zealously).
Those of you paying close attention to detail, will have noticed the mystery guest on the left, who was desperately trying to gatecrash the party!
As can be seen, no actual food was served, (in keeping with the occasion), so after a suitably merry time, Brian and Moira departed to the luxurious environment of their hotel - Dunston Hall.
A Room with a View
Sunday started out with the ritual opening of presents, followed by the FULL English breakfast. Then us youngsters set off for a day in the wonderful Norfolk countryside.
First stop was a breath-taking boat trip on the famous Broads. Shiver me timbers - and by God we did shiver! Dressed only in thermal underwear, two cardigans and a waterproof top, we found the ride with the Ancient Mariner a little too realistic, although we did like the bungalows!
Fake photo taken when we weren't looking.
After all the watery fun, we then set off for a lunch appointment at a rustic English pub. Silly us, forgetting that England closes on Sundays at 2 pm precisely.
We made do with a bag of crisps, which was almost as nice as food.
After a short tour of the stately manse at Blickling Hall, (giving the cafeteria a miss as we were running late, and there was a queue of 43 chatty OAPs, and who needs food anyway), we then set off for the seaside. Imagine our amazement when we discovered that the seaside towns were not actually beside the sea - funny place Norfolk.
Best of all was Sheringham, where we did actually find the sea, and even managed to find a cafe for a nice cup of tea and a piece of cake. By now it was a force 10 gale outside, so being rather frail (and a bit light headed from 2 cups of Earl Grey), we decided to tuck up warmly in our motor and head back to our hotel for a refreshing dip in the pool. At this point things went swimmingly - we gaily splashed in the Jacuzzi, sweated in the sauna, and cruised in the pool, before calming down with an aperitif and an eat-all-you-can-stuff in-45-minutes dinner in the Carvery.
Monday brought a change of weather - actual sunshine, so we topped off the jolly weekend with a visit to Southwold: a pleasant pub lunch with views across the green, and a stroll along the promenade, tossed a few pebbles, and Moira even dabbled her wrinkly toes in the sea.
