Alma Mater - UEA and Norwich - Day Two

 Day two of our Norwich trip began at Norwich Railway Station just a stone's throw (literally) from our digs ...

Photo 1: Norwich Railway Station (Credit)

With our Senior Railcards (⅓ discount), a day return to Cromer was only £6.85 per person for the 45 minute each-way scenic journey. And who doesn't like a trip to the seaside?

Unfortunately, the bright sunshine we experienced on the journey from Norwich turned to sea mist on arrival at Cromer. The English always enjoy a day at the beach no matter the weather - though I didn't ask the family huddled under their shelter exactly how much fun they were having!

Photo 2: Cromer Beach & Pier (May 2024)

There were times when the mist cleared sufficiently to see people on the pier. I'm guessing enjoying themselves but possibly just hurrying along to the various food establishments serving hot drinks and soup!

Photo 3: One of the Clearer Views of Cromer Pier (May 2024)

But when the sea mist rolls in ...

Photo 4: Cromer Beach (May 2024)

... the pier (almost) disappears from view ...

Photo 5: Misty-eyed View of Cromer Pier (May 2024)

Photo 6 sums up the stoic/stiff upper lip attitude of the English Seasider -  Enjoy no matter what the weather throws at you.

Photo 6: Enjoying a Visit to the Seaside

After a stroll along the promenade (including a fossil hunt) and then the pier, visits to an art exhibition and the North Norfolk Visitor Centre (housing the Deep History Coast exhibition) followed by lunch at Hatters Tea Shop (tasty soup), it was time to head back to the railway station.

We arrived back in Norwich mid-to-late afternoon, where the weather was certainly more clement. We had booked tickets for an evening performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night at The Maddermarket Theatre. Before that, time for a leisurely walk along the river path towards the cathedral, passing Cow Tower (an artillery blockhouse built around 1400 CE) ...

Photo 7: Outside of Cow Tower (May 2024)

Photo 8: Inside of Cow Tower (May 2024)

... and stopping at a local Wetherspoons, The Glass House, for a meal and liquid refreshments.

Across the road from the pub is Elm Hill, an historic cobbled street lined with Tudor buildings such as this one called Paston House (see here if you want to read what the Blue Plaque says) ...

Photo 9: Paston House, Elm Hill, Norwich (May 2024)

The Paston dynasty (about 1400 to 1730 CE) was a well-known Norfolk family that owned considerable amounts of property. in the city and the county. They are best known for the Paston Letters, a large collection of letters, papers and correspondence, written between 1422 and 1509 CE, describing the life and times of the Norfolk gentry during the Wars of the Roses.

During our time in Norwich (1971 - 1977), a large elm tree stood in the small square at the top of Elm Hill. Unfortunately, that tree succumbed to Dutch elm disease and was felled in 1979. It was replaced with a London Plane which seems to be doing very nicely, thank you ...

Photo 10: London Plane at the Top of Elm Hill (May 2024)

Time to hurry onto The Maddermarket Theatre for our evening entertainment of Twelfth Night (modern costume with the Bard's original words). Excellent performances all round!