Autumn nuts and berries at Kedleston

Early October saw some lovely weather, and of course I wanted to be out and about making the most of it.

After my disappointing trip to Shipley I wanted to attempt a more gentle uphill stroll, so headed to Kedleston and the start of the Short Walk. 

I didn't want to try the full walk as the downhill section across the inner park is quite steep and my ankles like coming downhill more than they like going up. I set my sights instead on reaching this viewpoint which looks over the surrounding countryside, taking a rest there, then returning the same way. It was considerably easier than the hill at Shipley, and I felt I could have carried on for further but decided it was better to not try too hard. 

This is always an interesting short walk with generally something new to be seen - from flowers in spring to nuts and berries in autumn. The trees were still green but conkers and beechmast were falling, and I picked a few up to admire (but left them for the squirrels).

The smaller shrubs seem very full of berries this year - hawthorns, rosehips, holly, and pyracantha - which supposedly forecasts a harsh winter.

Now the weather has changed and dropped colder I'll have to return and see the trees in their autumn finery.

 

Last stop - Wells next the Sea

Of all these north Norfolk coastal villages, Wells next the Sea is the one I find easiest to imagine as a busy port. It's the biggest, it still has lots of people milling around although they're mainly visitors, and most importantly it still has old 'harbour' buildings along the quay, even if their use has changed.

There are working fishing boats moored up along the quay and the former Dutch cargo ship, the Albatross, is back in port after a while away undergoing a refit.

This was the last stop before heading home and there was just one thing left to be done - sit on the quay and eat fish and chips.

Blakeney

 The next stop after Cley in our journey along north Norfolk's coast was to another once-busy port - Blakeney. It's now best known for bird-watching and boats,

We left the car in the free car park by the main road, and ambled down one of the pretty streets which lead to the quay, checking out the old buildings and architecture then after some sauntering around looking at boats and trying to spot the sea in the distance, we wandered back up by another.

Turn your back on the village, head out beyond the car park, and the vast expanse of the marsh becomes apparent

While others strode out along the sea defenses towards Cley next the Sea, I was content to just walk far enough to spot the windmill (centre of this pic) before turning round.

Along the way we stopped for cake from Birdy's Bakehouse trailer on the quay - and very good cake it was, too, and I loved the 'you look amazing' sign which greeted customers.

And then we headed back by a different route past old cottages and warehouses.

Exploring Cley next the Sea

The small village of Cley next the Sea is famous for its frequently photographed windmill, sitting at the side of a creek leading through the marshes to the sea. 

As you drive along the coast road though its's just as noticeable for the bottleneck of narrow streets which were never intended for cars and motorhomes.

 It's a place we've passed through several times forming part of that traffic jam.. We even walked there once from Blakeney. But never really explored the village itself. 

This time though I stumbled across a leaflet for a heritage walk around the village, and decided to explore further.

 

The route took us along backstreets and narrow footpaths, then crossing the road to the edge of the marsh. 

The leaflet had lots of interesting information about Cley when it was a bustling port (hard to believe today) and the old buildings which line the street.

From this point you could follow the path out towards the sea, but we headed back past past the famous windmill and the old quay on to lunch overlooking the reed beds.

The path along this section wasn't totally flat but handrails made the steps safe even for a dodgy-footed person like me.

The creek has been comparatively recently cleared of reeds and a waterway now links Cley and the sea once again.

A boardwalk carries the path through the reed beds at the back of gardens and leads conveniently to a cafe (at Artemis Cley) with outdoor seating in a lovely spot with views back over the marsh to the windmill and over towards Blakeney.

After lunch, we doubled back along the high street which miraculously cleared of traffic long enough for me to take photos. 

St George and the Dragon at the pub named after them.

 The walk continues further inland to the church and a marker showing the extent of the 1953 flood but this section we left till another visit