A day visiting (plus some sketching) along the North Norfolk coast

This is belated report of a trip, with family, along the North Norfolk coast. For those readers from outside the UK, this trip was from Kings Lynn to Cromer (and back) with stops at Sandringham Estate (the Norfolk retreat of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh) and Holkham Hall and Estate while visiting many of the small coastal villages on route.

The two sketches below are from Morston. Apart from the main base for boat trips(to see seals and Blakeney Point) for those with food and wine on their minds there's Morston Hall with Michelin Star Chef Galton Blackiston.

A rather rapid pencil sketch as the tide was coming in fast... get down the essentials before they move.

As can be seen in this slightly different view point, a few minutes later the incoming tide had moved the small boats. It's always interesting working to a deadline - speed and pressure... along with practice, working in the design and photography world has helped.

Sketch 2 was at low tide but the mud was still wet which added some interest. Again not a fully detailed drawing but enough to give me an idea that it'll work - other composition ideas also explored at the time. Doing a sketch, even a quick one (as time or other factors (weather/light) sometimes rule out anything longer) helps visual memory recall, along with a better understanding of the subject - which in turn leads to better painting...

Same view as the sketch, this one taken before starting the above sketch...

The village of Blakeney. The quay lined with a wide variety of boats backed by some interesting buildings. Lots of people enjoying the warm weather while others work...

Above and below are from the village of Brancaster Staithe. Some fishing still takes place, mussels, crabs etc which are sold at local shops or supply restaurants but is better known for sailing. The box on wheels is used for cleaning the mussels...

Above and below, while not everyone's idea of great subjects, more time was spent here that elsewhere. This is part of Kings Lynn docks and this small inlet was crammed full of fishing boats and combined with wonderful light made for some potential paintings. While it looks peaceful the noise from the shellfish plant on the other side was distracting - a contrast to the rest of the coast where the loudest things were the birds. The last time I saw the boat 'Zulu' (above) was at Southwold on the Suffolk coast some years ago.