Floral Zoe: travel

Weekend Away In Southwold

12:49

North Norfolk Walking: Blakeney to Wells Next To Sea

13:06

One of the things I have been trying to do ever since I moved to Norfolk as a student was to explore the county a lot more. Fortunately, because of the nature of my degree, I have been able to visit many of the countryside, yet I have never been able to relax and go at my own pace.

As I am no longer a student and have decided to stick around in Norwich for another year before moving on, I have always wanted to complete the North Norfolk Trail, a stretch of beautiful coastline, surrounded my several nature reserves.

As I don't drive, we had to use local public transport to get to the North Norfolk Coast. This involved getting up very early and catching the no.2 Konnect bus (you can also get the X44) to Sheringham, which cost £5.50 return, followed by the Coasthopper bus to Blakeney (£5 return) where our walk started. I'm not going to lie I do think the Coasthopper needs to have more regular service or larger buses as we had to stand for the whole 40 minute journey from Sheringham to Blakeney.

Blakeney Harbour

On arrival we were greeted with the most wonderful weather, clear skies, autumnal crisp air and light winds. Perfect for walking. We walked through the village of Blakeney until we reached the harbour. Having not actually planned the walk, and with the hope of reaching Holkham, we headed west along the coast path.

On walking along we were greeted with many "Good Mornings" and "Lovely weather isn't it?" by the fellow local walkers. The first part of the walk from Blakeney to Blakeney Point (where the seals are) was very busy. Below is a wood carving of a seal. Here you can get a ferry to watch the seals that congregate on the shingle and sand of the spit.

The second part of the walk was very quiet in comparison and full of windy turns and muddy and waterlogged paths, which were good fun to navigate, unfortunately for my companion who was just wearing trainers, these proved rather difficult and therefore provided me with many giggles along the walk.

After 2 and a half hours of walking we decided to stop at Wells-next-to-sea, a popular village/town full of little shops and places to eat.

We decided to stop at Wells Deli and I treated myself to a sweet chilli sausage roll and a tropical smoothie after the 10 mile walk. It was delicious, however was on the pricey side. We then relaxed and the tiredness sunk in to the point we didn't leave the café for well over an hour.

We then went to the bus stop, only to discover that it was no longer receiving the Coasthopper bus back to Sheringham. Thankfully the bus driver who came along and told us this let us on for free and drove us to the right bus stop, where we piled onto a full bus of people and travelled back to Sheringham where we then proceeded to get the bus back to Norwich. Exhausting day full of travelling but I do recommend it.

Can you recommend any local walks in Norwich?

Zoe

adventures

A Camping Trip to the Gower, Wales

12:46

I have just gotten back from a week's break in South Wales, where I finally got to meet the other half's family (for those who want to know, it went fine thank goodness!). During my week there, we decided to go camping as I had never been before (well festival camping does not count). This fact has always shocked people when I tell them as my degree in Environmental Sciences suggest that I am the super outdoorsy type (which I am). However, growing up with three other siblings, and then without a father throughout my teenager years never brought about the opportunity to go.

I have always enjoyed the idea of rolling out of a tent in the morning to the blazing sunshine and smell of fresh air. I find that as the years go by and technology advances, less and less people are embracing the countryside and the opportunity to holiday at home. Therefore when it was suggested to go Camping for a night, I jumped at the chance.

We packed the car early and headed to Three Cliff Bay Campsite in the Gower. The Gower is a site of designated beauty, or something like that. The night cost us around £36, quite expensive, but the site proved popular, had all the facilities you need while camping and had the most amazing view.

Our little tent

On arrival, we set up the tent and then walked a bit down a steep cliff to the Three Cliff Bay, a blue flag beach. We sat on the beach a bit, and played catch before deciding to go for a dip in the evening sunset. It was high tide as well as the time and therefore the waves were crashing into shore, my favourite conditions to swim in.

Three Cliffs Beach

We then headed back up the cliff to have some dinner as it was quite late by the time we left the beach, and then decided to go to sleep. I must say when I awoke in the morning, I felt fully refreshed, had one of the best night sleeps in ages, even with the hard floor and chill of the night.

Views from the campsite at Sunset

Feeling refreshed we decided to head to Southgate on foot (quite treacherous and steep in flip flops) to grab some breakfast. After breakfast I decided to go a bit of course and go scrambling along the rock pools, that underlined the cliffs all the way back to Three Cliffs Bay. This was probably not the wisest ideas. We were racing against the tide turning, and the 2 hour scramble, that included treacherous under footing of sharp root and slippery seaweed, nearly defeated us as we came to the very last 100 meters. We stopped and found several large lagoons to cross. This would not normally be a problem, but because we were originally going on a dry walk, we both had our phones on us and a backpack too. Therefore this because a very good teamwork exercise. We succeeded in getting back to the bay just in time before the rocks were nearly swept under the crashing waves. However, we did come off with a couple of cuts and bruises after one treacherous leap.

One of the many rock pools along our scramble

Exhausted after our adventure, we headed back to the campsite and packed up to go home. It was an awesome adventure overall and I cannot wait to hopefully go to the Lake District in September. I now have the camping bug.

Zoe

Baliffscourt Hotel and Spa

Relaxing Pampering Day

17:21

I have recently been really really stressed (can I exaggerate really more?) to the point where I have been breaking down quite frequently in the evening (apologies to my boyfriend who has put up with this). With my dissertation currently not wanting to be my best friend and work itself out, as well as starting a new job where I'm standing rushing about all day, I have been overdoing it. I'm one of those people who, as my mother always tells me, likes to burn the candle at both ends. Therefore once the flame is out, I fall apart.

Therefore I decided to pack up a bag, get a 7 hour coach down to my home town for a relaxing weekend at home. On a side note, the coach only cost me £11 in total, bargain in comparison to train prices these days. Previous to buying my ticket home, I had phoned my mother, who is a member of the Baliffscourt Hotel Spa. I asked her if it was ok to go to the spa on Saturday as I wanted a massage to relax me after a few testing weeks. Not only had my mind started to crash, but my back and legs were in agony. I had recently noticed I had started to become a slower walker because of the pain. And so the massage was booked and off we went to the spa.

On arrival we were greeted by a magnificent old barn that had been converted into the spa facility. Inside the building were comfy sofas, large glass windows onlooking the inside pool and jacuzzi, and wooden floors. On entering I felt relaxed.

We signed in, got changed into our swimming costumes and then headed out to the outside infinity pool. From here we swam, relaxed in the outdoor hot tub, chilled in the sauna and steam room, all before lunch. For lunch I chose the Crispy Duck Thai salad, which was delicious and refreshing, complete by a glass of pimms before my 2pm Massage.

My mother decided that I should have the 'Drift Away' massage for 55mins. It was certainly worth it! The full body massage was amazing and left me literally drifting away into a relaxed slumber. Upon awaking I felt rejuvenated and still a bit on the dreamy side.

The trip ended with a free cup of coffee and a read of a newspaper in their upstairs lounge, before heading home.

I don't normally treat myself to such luxurious activities, but severely could justify this trip to the spa. The treatment and day trip, with my mother's members discount cost me £71 in total. My back and leg pain have gone, and after having my wisdom tooth out on Thursday, additional pain is not needed.

Do you treat yourself? If so where and how?

Zoe

adventures

An Adventure to Kew Gardens

21:22

adventures

A June Day Trip To London

12:14

After speaking to my boyfriend for 2 months, we decided to escape the uni bubble of Norwich and head down to London for a whole day worth of adventures. We decided that the cheapest route from Norwich was to get the Megabus at 7am (I know early start, but we did want a full day) for £5 and get the train back at 10:30pm (£7 each). The journey down was smooth and on time. We arrived in London around 10:30ish in the morning and sort a place to grab some breakfast and a much need coffee. We then headed off to get the Tube to South Kensington where we spent a couple of hours wondering the Natural History Museum. Always good especially since it is free.

Natural History Museum

Me and the Blue Whale

Entrance of the Natural History Museum

Afterwards we decided to find the Good Life Eatery. I have read about this place on many blogs and have always wanted to try their raw cold compressed juices. We went to the Chelsea branch and were confronted by a small, but quaint exposed bricked interior café. After sitting down I ordered a small lunch of avocado and chilli toast, which was delicious and refreshing on such a hot day, as well as one of the raw juices: Coco Verde. It contained pineapple, spinach, pear, coconut and celery. It was bizarre because you could taste all the flavours separately. Very enjoyable however. The whole experience was lovely. It was on the pricier side, with two small lunches and two juices coming to around £22 but I justified it as a treat and a experience. Plus it felt very healthy and I was content after my meal.

Two of the Raw Smoothies. I preferred the Coco Verde

Avocado and Chilli Seeded Toast

Sweet Potato DipWe then decided to head to Oxford Street to do some window shopping. This involved wandering around Liberty's and Selfridges, dreaming of all the items I wish I could afford to purchase. Always motivates me to get a good job so that hopefully I can one day afford little luxuries.

On our way away from Carnaby Street, we came across a little coffee shop called the Soho Grind, and decided to pop in for a coffee as we were getting a bit tired and still had over 6 hours til our train. I ordered a soya macchito, and the bf ordered a regular mocha. Mine was delicious. I recommend going there if you can find it.

Soho Grind

We shopped a bit more and then headed to Wahaca in Covent Garden. It was a bit hard to find at first, and I always find 3G is terrible in that area of Soho. We entered the modern mexican to be confronted by a busy and very bustling restaurant. We waited 30 minutes to be seated while we sipped on a tequila mojito... not sure about that one. I think I will stick to the rum based ones. After being seated, I started to take a turn for the worst. The restaurant was incredibly loud and heaving that I couldn't talk and I was starting to have a panic attack from being overwhelmed. We escaped quickly after we got our bill, just in time for me! I would go back again during a quieter time and not at 7pm on a Wednesday. The green rice is delicious!

Summer Fuerza salad at Wahaca

After wandering about more to find a place to drink, we went down a small iron staircase to the Covent Garden Cocktail Club (members only). We entered into a fairy-light lit establishment with cool vintage leather sofas. As the sofas were reserved, I decided to sit at the bar as I love to watch cocktails being made. We were served by a guy called PJ who made the most amazing concoctions. One was called Bacon and Egg and was infused with Jack Daniels bacon flavoured whisky as well as maple syrup. My favourite however was the Southside Royal: Bombay Sapphire Gin, lime, sugar, mint and prosecco. Refreshing and light. Drinks are on average around £8.50, which I think is decent for cocktails in London, especially with the level of theatre involved. Once person ordered something that had smoke placed into a jar. While another person ordered something on fire. All a spectacle!

Bacon and Egg cocktail

Fortune Cookie Cocktail (gin based)

We merrily drank the rest of the night away until we had to rush to get the train back to Norwich.

I do love a good treat once in a while, and this was ours after our exam.

What places do you like to go to in London?

Zoe

Weekend Away In Southwold

North Norfolk Walking: Blakeney to Wells Next To Sea

A Camping Trip to the Gower, Wales

Relaxing Pampering Day

An Adventure to Kew Gardens

A June Day Trip To London

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