As anyone who read my earlier post will know, today is my birthday. It has been a long-standing tradition for me to enjoy a trip to a beach on this day. When I lived in London, this involved a long drive to the south coast, usually somewhere like Bexhill, Worthing, or Brighton. Fortunately, Beetley is close to Norfolk’s desirable north coast, so today was much easier all round. I took the camera along, and as usual, all these are large files, clickable for detail. I apologise in advance for any issues regarding my eyesight problems that may have affected focus and composition.
A thirty minute drive in bright sunshine (but cold temperatures) took us to the small village of Brancaster. This has a famous beach, popular with windsurfers and kite-fliers. It is accessed from the handy car park, and provides a breathtaking vista, as you walk onto it. Out of season, like today, it was almost deserted.
The beach is fringed by sand dunes, and also home to a popular private golf club. The building in the distance in the clubhouse. The coloured object in the air to the left is the canopy of a kite-surfer.
Ollie was pleased to be somewhere different, and later found some friends to play with, on the hard flat sand. Here you see him looking around hopefully, for other dogs.
On the way back to the car, we walked off of the windy beach towards the marshes, looking south. There was an old wartime bunker there, and Ollie decided to admire the view of the muddy marshes from the missing window.
We then drove down to Holkham, and had very civilised tea and cakes in the nice hotel there. Later tonight, we are going to a local country pub for a meal, before my birthday officially ends.
To everyone waiting for comments, replies, or emails, I apologise. Normal service will be resumed on the 17th. And to everyone who kindly sent me birthday messages, my sincere thanks, once again.
beetleypete 
Such a sweet picture of Ollie! Now that I remember…where was Chariots of Fire filmed. The beach looked like that.
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That was in Scotland, Carolyn. St Andrews, close to Dundee.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g186533-d570777-r535157694-St_Andrews_West_Sands_Beach-St_Andrews_Fife_Scotland.html
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Yes, of course! Should have remembered that.
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A very belated Happy Birthday, Pete! ✨🌟💫😀
I love your impressions of Brancaster. The one of Ollie in the window puts a big smile on my face.
Please come back when the water is warm. Check the tidetable carefully when plan your visit, at low tide you can cross the shallow water and walk to the wreck. It’s great and truly adventurous, I’m sure Ollie will love it. 🙂
Best wishes for your new year!
Dina & co x
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I will remember your suggestion, Dina, and be sure to return.
Love from Beetley, Pete and Ollie. xx
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Great pics and it sounds like a grand birthday. I’m taking notes as I never know what to do to mark my birthday and don’t like the fuss. I don’t know that area well so must add it to my list of places to visit. Thanks, Pete!♥
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It’s a very good area to visit. Close to Wells, Hunstanton, Sandringham. Lots to see and do.
Glad you enjoyed it, and got some birthday inspiration. I have been going to the seaside on my birthday since the early 1970s, and only missed a few. It’s always quiet in March, and I get to enjoy it better.
Best wishes, and thanks for the re-tweets. Pete.
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You timed your birthday very well 😉 It’s been good to have a bit of sunshine this week. Glad you were able to enjoy a nice day out!
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Thanks, Ros. I am usually lucky with my birthday, though it did rain in 2015.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Happy (belated) birthday Pete! I hope you had a lovely day – I’m glad you had such good weather for your trip. I love the shot of Ollie looking out over the bunker!
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Thanks, Lucy. It was a pretty good day all round, and I was very lucky with that shot of Ollie!
Best wishes as always, Pete.
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By the way, I love that photo of Ollie framed in the window…so lovely!
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I thought you would like to see some more photos, especially of Ollie!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Ollie’s photos are always welcome 🙂
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Happy birthday Pete, I am really sorry I failed to greet you on your actual birthday.
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No problem, Arlene. We have some big time differences to deal with!
Best wishes, Pete.
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I was busy watching the news about the hacked acct. of Bangladesh bank to the tune of $81M and found its way to one of the banks here. There is an ongoing Senate hearing about it.
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Brancaster is the home of my mum’s favorite holiday memories as a child. Happy Birthday for yesterday Norfolk Pete. For some reason I couldn’t comment though I had read your posts. All the best. Hope you had a good one.
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Thanks, Kelly. I doubt much has changed since the time when your Mum holidayed there. That’s part of the appeal.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’ll pop it on my to do list to return myself and let you know when we’re local. Sending sunny regards.
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Always happy to show a fellow blogger around the sights of Norfolk!
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Sounds fab. Thank you.
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Love your last shot of Ollie looking through the window. Awesome shots, Pete, thank you for sharing.
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Thanks, Cindy. I had to be quick with that one, as Ollie only jumped up there for a second.
Best wishes, Pete.
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so peaceful out there! Ollie’s looking very good! 🙂
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Thanks, Lola. Since he stopped moulting, his coat is looking much better.
Best wishes, Pete.
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The beach looks so relaxing and tranquil.
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It was that mate, except for the freezing cold wind! Still nice to wander along though.
Cheers, Pete.
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Damn the biting wind.
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I particularly like the photo of Ollie looking out for the enemy from the bunker window – tell him he looks very noble in all his portraits. Best wishes to all three of you on a happy day xx
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Thanks, Pippa. I didn’t tell him that the landing craft would be coming from the other direction…x
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Happy Birthday Pete. Here’s to good health and warm winds at your back! Regards Thom.
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Cheers, Thom, many thanks.
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great shots! and happy woofday! 🙂
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Ollie looked for you on that beach, Maggie. x
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(wags tail)
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I love the north Norfolk coast. it is so beautiful. And it seems Ollie thinks so too 😉
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I still have no idea what he was looking at in the marshes, Jude. But I wasn’t about to let him start running around in that thick mud!
Regards as always, Pete. x
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Lots of birds in the marshes, perhaps he spotted one.
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That’s probably it, Jude.
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Great shot of Ollie looking out the bunker window! I went to Google Maps to locate Brancaster and Holkham, and zoomed in as far as I could go (you can see individual structures). It’s nice to live just 90 minutes from the beach. Las Vegas is five hours (when traffic flows smoothly) from the Pacific Ocean. We do have a beach at nearby Lake Mead, and there are access points to the Colorado River. But it’s not the same as a broad ocean beach! I’m glad you enjoyed your birthday, Pete. It’s a wonderful tradition! Also, based on the photos, the weather cooperated!
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I had to take that bunker shot on the fly, David. Glad you liked it. The weather was good, though only eight degrees (C) and very windy. It is just thirty minutes to that beach, not ninety, so even better than you said. The sea you can see is The North Sea. It is expansive, but very cold, even in the summer.
Thanks very much, David. I am pleased that you enjoyed the photos.
Best wishes, Pete.
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No need to reply, Pete – all I want to say to Ollie’s dad is Have a Great Time and…..
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Thanks, GP. (I’m still here at the moment.) I hope you enjoyed the fact that Ollie stayed still for two photos this time. Though I did have to be quick in the bunker!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Indeed I did notice!!
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