Tuesday 26th May 2026 - What a Weekend!

No faults to be found with the Bank Holiday weekend.  The truly wonderful weather brought crowds to the coast and it was perfect for the visit from our family, who arrived early Saturday afternoon. 

We packed a lot into a few days.  I’m not going to write about everything in detail; I’m just covering a couple.  

On Sunday morning, we went to Hillside Animal Sanctuary.  This was a first for us all and came full of surprises.  It was far bigger than we imagined; a home for horses, a mule, donkeys, goats, llamas, pigs, chickens, parrots, rabbits, turkeys, cattle, ducks and geese.  In addition, a barn and a couple of large sheds have been set aside to display old photographs, machinery and carts etc. along with items for sale (DVD’s, CD’s, books and bric a brac).  There is no charge for admission; this has to be a bonus for families on a tight budget who can let their children enjoy watching as well as interacting with certain animals, without it costing them a hefty charge, just an affordable donation.  As well as donating at the sanctuary you can do so via their website, plus you can sponsor animals or you could buy a bale of hay for someone in lieu of a birthday gift.  It was a very enjoyable morning.  We came away, thinking the food bill alone for all the animals must be phenomenal, let alone the other costs.   

On Monday afternoon we escaped the heat (according to the website, Time and Date, at midday the temperature reached 32°C) and went to see Beauty and the Beast in the Pavilion on Cromer Pier.  This was presented by the Cromer and Sheringham Operatic and Dramatic Society It was undeniably a professional production which everyone enjoyed (as well as the ice-creams during the interval!).  The scenery, costumes, cast and the orchestra impressed us all, especially as this is a local society and not a national theatre group.  After watching their Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last year and this year, Beauty and the Beast, I have no hesitation in recommending their productions.

Today’s photo was taken on Friday morning, just after half five, looking towards Cromer.