Blakeney to Cley Next The Sea Circular Walk

Lovely to be back on the North Norfolk coast. The weather is a bit different from when we were here last back in August. It was sub-tropical then, today it is more like sub-zero temperature wise. 
We are starting in Blakeney, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Very popular with tourists in the Summer months , it is a lot quieter today. A few seasoned walkers around though braving the elements.There isn't much evidence of boat life today. Some days the harbour resembles 'Piccadilly Circus; as it is packed with yachts at high tide.I think it is safe to say that this is the sailing centre of North Norfolk. In medieval times this would have been the hub for boat building, fishing and trading. 

We will be following the North Norfolk Coastal path to Cley Next the Sea. Completing a circular route by following the coast road back to Blakeney. Avoiding falling in to a Salt Marsh that is also part of the plan.   

We venture out on the windswept path of marsh and mudflats. Already it has that feeling of being wild and remote. I venture off the path to get a closer look at an old wreck long since abandoned.It all adds to this desolate landscape. Having said that there is a rich diversity of plant life all year round. A great place for watching birds and animals too. The marshes are a home for Foxes, Hares, Rabbits , Weasels and Voles not to mention the Deals. Common and Grey Seals gather on the sandbank s off Blakeney Point. It is a Birdwatchers paradise with 'rarities' often blown in on the wind. We spotted Oyster-catchers, Curlews and Bar Tailed Godwits amongst others.    

The National Trust acquired Blakeney Point in 1912 to safeguard the breeding seabirds and the landscape. This was Norfolk's first Nature Reserve. Blakeney Point has for centuries been on the move. A constantly shifting pattern of shingle, sand-bars, dunes and marsh sculptured by wave and storm.

We continue our way towards Cley, which simply means Clay. There seems to be some disagreement regard the pronunciation ' Cly or Cley? The famous Windmill comes closer into view. Flour was milled from the early 1800's to the 1920's. It has now become a holiday rental. Like Blakeney it was also a thriving fishing port in medieval times. It was also well known for being a smugglers haunt. As a result many of the old houses are reported to contain 'Smugglers Holes' were contraband was hidden away from the Kings Custom men.  

There are some lovely olde worlde shops in Cley, not least the 'Cley Smokehouse'. Cley Smokehouse has been producing freshly smoked fish, shellfish, cured meats and delicious homemade pates since 1975. A nice couple of cafes too where a welcome warm drink was enjoyed. Best of all though was a second hand bookshop. I managed to pick up a virtually new copy from the Icelandic Author ' Arnaldur Indridason'.

The 43 hectares of reed beds are are the largest on the North Norfolk Coast.A great area for spotting rarities like Marsh Harriers, Bitterns and Bearded Tits. The marshes are looked after by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. The cut reeds are sold and used for thatching. It is  designated site of special scientific interest. These days the reeds are cut using machinery and not by hand. Around 7,000 of reed are cut between mid December and and the end of February.

Rather than follow our steps back the way we came we picked up the coast road as planned. There was a footpath the whole way back to Blakeney. We pas the parish church 'St Nicholas. The second tower is rumoured to have been used as a lighthouse. It is much quicker as you expect than the outward journey.

A total distance of 7.8 miles walked.