We have indeed set ourselves 'afloat', we've released our moorings from the safety of the corporate quay and for the last 3 years have been taken along by a wavering current doing our best to control the rudder as we go.
So, the last few months have been our busiest yet and we have sacrificed a lot of 'free time' to take every booking going in an attempt to build our reputation and business base. During June To August we had 158 nights booked with a further 45 already booked in September. In farming terms we have been making hay whilst the sun shone.... and boy did it shine.
So finding time for a break has been hard but not impossible and a few days have been squeezed out of the business for a little recreational break.......
On Echo Beach
Waves make the only sound
On Echo Beach
There's not a soul around
Far away on Echo Beach.....
This is Scolt head Island and it has got to be one of our favourite places to simply chill out....
The Dunes are huge and formed from the silkiest powdery sand that trickles through your toes....
The sky is blue and it is our very own treasure island.
The views are stunning and you can see miles and miles of beach with hardly a sign of anyone else.
So where is this paradise Island?
Right here on the sunny Norfolk coast just over a mile out from the small quay at Burnham Overy Staithe.
We love taking our canoe out to the island as it is just so tranquil and generally undisturbed. There are no buildings there at all and the wildlife is abundant. The only way to get there is by boat and so only those that have small yachts, canoes or boats can land on the island. In the peak tourist time a small ferry does drop people off but they are not many because of the complete lack of any facilities... it is bliss!
On Monday we went there with Alison's sister in our canoes and found a late summer tide had filled the quay to the brim and the water was as still as a mill pond. It was just before 9am and the view was simply stunning from the quay-side before we even ventured into the water.
This combined with such a sweet fresh smelling air oozed freedom. THIS is why we made our life style change, THIS is what it is all about. If we found that we had got bogged down recently in the heavy workload of bookings then this was the reminder of why we are here. It was quite simply stunning. The only sound was that of an odd Oyster Catcher, a gull and the clacking of the rigging on the boats masts.
Half way along the estuary we stop and drift a little whilst we soak up the view. Half a mile behind us we can see Burnham Overy Quay and in front of us Scolt Island with it's golden beach calling us in. All around there are Egrets, waders and Terns diving into the sea catching fish. The sky is a vast Norfolk sky with just a few beautifully white fluffy clouds hanging in time with hardly a breeze to move them along.
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| Helen looking across to our destination, Scolt Island. |
The beach on the other side of the inlet disapears into the distance with just a few people enjoying it.
Last time we were here I enjoyed a nice swim in the sea which IS the North Sea but it was beautiful.
We had breakfast on the beach, a strange mix consisting of a vegetarian pasty followed by a bit of fruit cake. Then we made our way back. The tide had turned and as it was so high there was a strong current against us, Alison and I being novices at canoeing struggled to keep the canoe from trying to turn. Helen, a seasoned canoeist, was trying to teach me best practice skills but I fear that in doing so she found that she was metaphorically paddling up against a strong current of cack-handiness.
I fear that I had still not mastered the art by the time that we had returned!
So that was one of our excursions to Scolt Island, we have also, in the past, drifted up some of the many little creeks in that area and I can honestly say that there is nothing better then sauntering along in our little boat. Say goodbye to Summer everyone.......
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