Was looking forward to celebrating the New Year with a visit to the annual fireworks' display at Cromer, but the event was postponed due to impending bad weather.
That meant a re-scheduling to January 8th. Days seem to converge one into another and it's quite difficult to get a perspective on things. On Thursday we moved furniture into our new Cromer flat and set up beds, which gave us the opportunity to have our first overnight stay in our new abode.
On Saturday we had a very pleasant walk along the seafront and a cup of coffee in North Lodge Park. The cafe there is open every day apart from Monday and is staffed by volunteers belonging to the Friends of North Lodge Park group. It's inexpensive and good food and drinks.
Sunday morning was bright and mild and another walk along the front before visiting Morrisons supermarket where I was struck by the historic photographs from the Francis Frith collection that adorned some of the walls. Must look this photographer up.
There's a number of interesting inscriptions carved into the promenade - comments made by literary greats about the resort. All complementary of course, part from that of Winston Churchill who said: "I'm not enjoying myself very much."
On the way into town we passed and took a photograph of the legendary lifeboat coxswain Henry Blogg - described as "one of the bravest men that has ever lived." I've probably said it before but I used to live in Corner Street just off Garden Street and opposite the house where Blogg lived for many years. There's a blue plaque on the wall of the house and we noticed other blue plaques to former coxswains. I wanted to see whether former Cox Richard Davies is commemorated. Back in the 1970s I lived next door to Richard at 7, Corner Street. A close inspection of number 9 shows no sign that he lived there. There is a rather dilapidated brass sign commemorating the marriage of Prince Charles to Diana Spencer. Perhaps it's time a bluey appeared at the address.
As well as celebrating the new year (admittedly a week late) the fireworks also celebrated the 100th anniversary of a lifeboat launch that saw Blogg and his crew save many lives. In 1917 his crew launched four times in 14 hours in a terrible storm. Cromer's lifeboat, Louisa Heartwell, battled 50mph winds to rescue the 22 crew onboard the Greek vessel, Pyrin. The crew, who had an average age of over 50 and two members over 70, had to rely on 14 oars and two sails to navigate the heavy seas.Just as they arrived back on shore, triumphant and exhausted, they were told of the Swedish ship Fernabo, which had been blown in two by a mine. They rowed out three times to rescue the sailors onboard. Henry, who was awarded his first Gold Medal for the rescue, was commended for his remarkable personality and admirable leadership. His crew were awarded Bronze Medals and praised for their 'courage and dogged tenacity'.
* * *
Last Wednesday we ate at the Gourmet Burger place where the food was decent and the sea views good and one of the things we notice about Cromer is the number of restaurants and cafes available - plenty to try over the coming months.
Onto the fireworks and they certainly saw in the new year with a bang. Almost 15 minutes of top class entertainment from the pier.
That meant a re-scheduling to January 8th. Days seem to converge one into another and it's quite difficult to get a perspective on things. On Thursday we moved furniture into our new Cromer flat and set up beds, which gave us the opportunity to have our first overnight stay in our new abode.
On Saturday we had a very pleasant walk along the seafront and a cup of coffee in North Lodge Park. The cafe there is open every day apart from Monday and is staffed by volunteers belonging to the Friends of North Lodge Park group. It's inexpensive and good food and drinks.
Sunday morning was bright and mild and another walk along the front before visiting Morrisons supermarket where I was struck by the historic photographs from the Francis Frith collection that adorned some of the walls. Must look this photographer up.
There's a number of interesting inscriptions carved into the promenade - comments made by literary greats about the resort. All complementary of course, part from that of Winston Churchill who said: "I'm not enjoying myself very much."
On the way into town we passed and took a photograph of the legendary lifeboat coxswain Henry Blogg - described as "one of the bravest men that has ever lived." I've probably said it before but I used to live in Corner Street just off Garden Street and opposite the house where Blogg lived for many years. There's a blue plaque on the wall of the house and we noticed other blue plaques to former coxswains. I wanted to see whether former Cox Richard Davies is commemorated. Back in the 1970s I lived next door to Richard at 7, Corner Street. A close inspection of number 9 shows no sign that he lived there. There is a rather dilapidated brass sign commemorating the marriage of Prince Charles to Diana Spencer. Perhaps it's time a bluey appeared at the address.
As well as celebrating the new year (admittedly a week late) the fireworks also celebrated the 100th anniversary of a lifeboat launch that saw Blogg and his crew save many lives. In 1917 his crew launched four times in 14 hours in a terrible storm. Cromer's lifeboat, Louisa Heartwell, battled 50mph winds to rescue the 22 crew onboard the Greek vessel, Pyrin. The crew, who had an average age of over 50 and two members over 70, had to rely on 14 oars and two sails to navigate the heavy seas.Just as they arrived back on shore, triumphant and exhausted, they were told of the Swedish ship Fernabo, which had been blown in two by a mine. They rowed out three times to rescue the sailors onboard. Henry, who was awarded his first Gold Medal for the rescue, was commended for his remarkable personality and admirable leadership. His crew were awarded Bronze Medals and praised for their 'courage and dogged tenacity'.
* * *
Last Wednesday we ate at the Gourmet Burger place where the food was decent and the sea views good and one of the things we notice about Cromer is the number of restaurants and cafes available - plenty to try over the coming months.
Onto the fireworks and they certainly saw in the new year with a bang. Almost 15 minutes of top class entertainment from the pier.