Do you remember those chocolate biscuits called Break Away? Can you still get them? Not that this post has anything to do with them, it just popped into my head as I wrote the title.
Anyway, Andy and I had the chance to go away for a few days at the end of June. We headed to North Norfolk where we stayed for two nights in The Victoria Inn, Holkham, before spending a day on the Norfolk broads in Wroxham, and a night in Burnham Market at The Hoste.
The weather was divine, which always makes a difference to a holiday in this fine country, the hotels were excellent, the food was amazing, and the company wasn't bad either.
We arrived at The Victoria Inn with enough time for me to go through my 'I've just stepped foot inside a hotel room' ritual, which involves me popping on the kettle and taking multiple photos of the room whilst Andy keeps out of the way. I then make tea and drink it whilst unpacking my various bits and bobs. On this occasion I also had a tiny Victoria sponge I found in the mini fridge, I did let Andy have a little bit.
We headed down for supper and sat in the conservatory, ordered our meal and were soon joined by other diners. We were entertained as each and every one of them placed an awkward order, asking multiple questions and changing their minds again and again.
The waiters had endless patience, and yet we felt good that our order was so straight forward. Nobody was going to be spitting in our food.
After supper, which ended with the most amazing chocolate and cherry trifle, we headed out to Holkham beach, which is divine. We didn't have long as the car park closed at 9pm. We made it back just in time but we had long enough to enjoy the vast open expanse of beach, feel the crunch of sand beneath our feet and smell the salty air.
Back in our room we enjoyed a complimentary mini bottle of Prosecco as the sun went down and the mist rolled in across the fields. I was already feeling incredibly chilled out.
Even on holiday Andy gets up early, so we were first down for breakfast. Eggs Benedict and gallons of orange juice and tea. Then it was back to the beach, we went for a long walk in the surf, searched for pretty seashells, retrieved a shoe that I managed to drop without noticing, and then sat in the glorious sunshine and just relaxed.
As lunchtime approached and I started to wilt in the midday sun, we decided to check out Holkham Hall. Lunch was the first port of call, a hungry Hazel is a grumpy Hazel. We wanted to hire bikes but bike hire is limited to a few dates over the summer. We opted for one of the short walks instead. It was lovely to escape the sun in the shade of the trees, and with Holkham Hall as a backdrop we saw several deer going about their deer business.
By the end of the walk I was finding it hard going, you know what they say about mad dogs and Englishmen.
We popped into some shops close to The Victoria and I got myself a sunhat, which was probably a bit late.
Back at the hotel we checked in to our second room. As we'd booked last minute we had a room change, which was actually rather nice as we got to see more of the hotel. After a restorative cuppa, and another mini Victoria Sponge, it was time for supper.
The food was amazing once again, but after only one mouthful of my dessert (I know, what a waste!) I felt a little odd. Back in the room I had a soak in the huge bath, and Andy went for a wander on the beach. Feeling a little better I read for a while but then suddenly felt cold. Yes, cold, in ridiculous heat. I think I'd been in the sun too long and it fried my brain a smidgen.
The next day we headed off to Wroxham for a day on the Norfolk Broads. Our little boat was ready and waiting for us and off we went. The sun was relentless, so thank goodness for the sunhat! The plan had been to stay on the boat overnight but after a while we decided to take the boat back and find a nice hotel. The sun just got too much. I don't like to complain about hot weather, I love the sun but I can't stay in it all day.
We opted for The Hoste in Burnham Market as our shelter for the evening. With hotel room ritual done we just chilled out for a while, which was the main reason for this mini break. Andy lives life at 110mph most of the time. It's wonderful to see him relax, de-stress, and have absolutely nothing to do. He just can't switch off at home.
Again our meal was very good, we certainly ate well on this break. I wasn't looking forward to having to cook our meals when we returned home. I very quickly got used to having someone else prepare our meals and make our beds.
The next day we'd planned to drive home after breakfast but Andy suggested we have a wander around Burnham Market, and then go to The Royal Norfolk Show. I jumped at the chance to bunk off for another day.
Burnham Market has a number of lovely little shops, one housing the biggest hat shop known to man on the first floor. I wanted to stay and try on some of the more ridiculous hats but I was frowned at by a lady, I don't know if she worked there or owned the place, or was just browsing herself, but never-the-less her disapproving frown was enough to discourage me.
The Royal Norfolk Show was lovely. We spent most of the time wandering around the sheep pens, peering at the fleeced creatures, I wondered how they survive in this heat.
We spent some time in the poultry tent, which only fuelled my desire for some chickens. And I awww and cooed over the bunnies. The flower tent was beautiful, but eventually I let Andy wander around the tractor stands.
Then it was time to come home. It was nice to be back and give my cats a big squeeze, but I did feel a bit flat, Andy went out for a drive to make sure no fields had blown away, or something. I ignored unpacking for several days, and grumbled the next morning when the waiter didn't show up to take my breakfast order. But, we are planning another break in October, I mentioned my desire to travel on a sleeper train, and Andy seemed taken with the idea. Roll on October!
Anyway, Andy and I had the chance to go away for a few days at the end of June. We headed to North Norfolk where we stayed for two nights in The Victoria Inn, Holkham, before spending a day on the Norfolk broads in Wroxham, and a night in Burnham Market at The Hoste.
The weather was divine, which always makes a difference to a holiday in this fine country, the hotels were excellent, the food was amazing, and the company wasn't bad either.
We arrived at The Victoria Inn with enough time for me to go through my 'I've just stepped foot inside a hotel room' ritual, which involves me popping on the kettle and taking multiple photos of the room whilst Andy keeps out of the way. I then make tea and drink it whilst unpacking my various bits and bobs. On this occasion I also had a tiny Victoria sponge I found in the mini fridge, I did let Andy have a little bit.
We headed down for supper and sat in the conservatory, ordered our meal and were soon joined by other diners. We were entertained as each and every one of them placed an awkward order, asking multiple questions and changing their minds again and again.
Even on holiday Andy gets up early, so we were first down for breakfast. Eggs Benedict and gallons of orange juice and tea. Then it was back to the beach, we went for a long walk in the surf, searched for pretty seashells, retrieved a shoe that I managed to drop without noticing, and then sat in the glorious sunshine and just relaxed.
As lunchtime approached and I started to wilt in the midday sun, we decided to check out Holkham Hall. Lunch was the first port of call, a hungry Hazel is a grumpy Hazel. We wanted to hire bikes but bike hire is limited to a few dates over the summer. We opted for one of the short walks instead. It was lovely to escape the sun in the shade of the trees, and with Holkham Hall as a backdrop we saw several deer going about their deer business.
We popped into some shops close to The Victoria and I got myself a sunhat, which was probably a bit late.
The food was amazing once again, but after only one mouthful of my dessert (I know, what a waste!) I felt a little odd. Back in the room I had a soak in the huge bath, and Andy went for a wander on the beach. Feeling a little better I read for a while but then suddenly felt cold. Yes, cold, in ridiculous heat. I think I'd been in the sun too long and it fried my brain a smidgen.
The next day we headed off to Wroxham for a day on the Norfolk Broads. Our little boat was ready and waiting for us and off we went. The sun was relentless, so thank goodness for the sunhat! The plan had been to stay on the boat overnight but after a while we decided to take the boat back and find a nice hotel. The sun just got too much. I don't like to complain about hot weather, I love the sun but I can't stay in it all day.
We opted for The Hoste in Burnham Market as our shelter for the evening. With hotel room ritual done we just chilled out for a while, which was the main reason for this mini break. Andy lives life at 110mph most of the time. It's wonderful to see him relax, de-stress, and have absolutely nothing to do. He just can't switch off at home.
Again our meal was very good, we certainly ate well on this break. I wasn't looking forward to having to cook our meals when we returned home. I very quickly got used to having someone else prepare our meals and make our beds.
The next day we'd planned to drive home after breakfast but Andy suggested we have a wander around Burnham Market, and then go to The Royal Norfolk Show. I jumped at the chance to bunk off for another day.
Burnham Market has a number of lovely little shops, one housing the biggest hat shop known to man on the first floor. I wanted to stay and try on some of the more ridiculous hats but I was frowned at by a lady, I don't know if she worked there or owned the place, or was just browsing herself, but never-the-less her disapproving frown was enough to discourage me.
The Royal Norfolk Show was lovely. We spent most of the time wandering around the sheep pens, peering at the fleeced creatures, I wondered how they survive in this heat.
Then it was time to come home. It was nice to be back and give my cats a big squeeze, but I did feel a bit flat, Andy went out for a drive to make sure no fields had blown away, or something. I ignored unpacking for several days, and grumbled the next morning when the waiter didn't show up to take my breakfast order. But, we are planning another break in October, I mentioned my desire to travel on a sleeper train, and Andy seemed taken with the idea. Roll on October!
