Saturday 22nd August 2026 - All Change in the Weather, Exhibition, Thank You's and a Taste of Overstrand

I had a bit of a Victor Meldrew, ‘I don’t believe it’, moment on Wednesday evening.  Why?  It was because after so many weeks this summer of warmth and sunshine, pretty well guaranteed each day, it was all change for the Cromer Carnival Parade.  We can’t do anything about nature but how unfair was it when the heavens opened with accompanying thunder and lightning – the full works – as the parade set off on Wednesday evening.  I just wish it had just held off, for all concerned, for an hour or so.  The parade went ahead but photos and video footage on Facebook showl ower numbers of spectators, than other years, which in turn must have greatly reduced the amount in the bucket collections.

It’s definitely been, all change in the weather.  We’ve had several spells of heavy rainfall and it’s quite windy too, with a noticeable drop in temperature.  The rain has been good for the garden and we’re beginning to see the grass on our back lawn reviving, with small patches of green expanding into the area of brown.  All seven of our water butts are full to the brim plus the pond is too.   The media are now saying there is going to be an El Niño, which the Met Office predict will be ‘the strongest in living memory’.  I won’t say any more about this, I think we’ll wait and see what materialises.

A few years ago we met two ladies from Germany, who stay each year for two weeks in August, at The Pleasaunce. This year they set up an exhibition in The Cloisters, titled ‘Norfolk through a German Lens’.  Here they’ve displayed a selection of their photographs, taken over the years, which they invited us to view.  There are some beautiful shots, making the most of the light and the beauty of North Norfolk. 

Many thanks here to a villager, who gave us some wood from the decking they’ve dismantled.  Peter has used some of this to construct two raised beds for his vegetable plot.  An existing one rotted, so the wood was most welcome.  Peter has cut the wood to a size to fit the hoops which support the insect netting which in turn prevents the likes of the cabbage white caterpillars, carrot root fly as well as the allium leaf minor from ruining our crops.   Also, thanks to a couple of kind neighbours who have enabled me to progress, further than anticipated, with the task I’m working on.

Overstrand Together have an additional fundraising event this year.  This is, ‘A Taste of Overstrand’ which is being organised by Alex Chandler and will feature local food and drink providers.  More details are in Overstrand Together's poster below.