We've consequentially been spending an awful lot of time indoors lately, sorting and packing, and generally trying to save our pennies wherever we can. However, after a few weeks back at work after the Easter break, we felt like getting outside and away from the chaos for a while, and maybe having a bit of a treaty meal too.
The plan had been to go to Wells in North Norfolk on Saturday, then pop out to Norwich for brunch on Sunday before spending the afternoon carrying on with the packing mission. By the time I'd got back from the gym (through the rain) on Saturday morning and we'd dithered about looking at the weather forecast and trying to decide whether or not to go, it was a bit late.
So, we found ourselves going to Norwich for lunch instead, and decided to try somewhere new.
East Twenty Six is a newish bar and restaurant, serving tapas style food with a Mediterranean/North African feel. There is a cosy bar area downstairs, and the upstairs restaurant has a glass roof which was lovely even in the rain!
I'd met a friend at East Twenty Six for a coffee before, but neither of us had eaten there, so we ordered a couple of dishes each, and some bread and olives. D chose ribs and some 'wrinkly potatoes' (which made us laugh before we'd even gone in!) and I went for mackerel, and cauliflower shawarma (half a cauliflower, almost chargrilled, with pine nuts and tahini) It was so different, really tasty and tapas-style is definitely one of our favourite ways to eat.
The weather on Sunday was much more sensible for a trip to the coast, so we made the hour or so drive to Wells-Next-The-Sea. It's basically the dictionary definition of seaside town: chips, ice cream, seagulls, amusement arcades, crabbing, and a little train!
We had a lovely couple of hours wandering round the shops and looking at all the funny little cottages. My favourite shops were Nomad and The Bowerbird, and the adjoining Bringing the Outside In - a really unusual and well curated collection of beautiful things, my favourite type of shop! D meanwhile quite enjoyed laughing at certain road names....
(I've also just noticed the terrifying-crabbing-child leaning over the harbour wall - somebody hold onto his hood!)
Part of the reason for visiting Wells was because D wanted to try out Grey Seal Coffee which has recently opened on the Quay. While I enjoy joining in with his recent hobby of trying every local coffee roaster and trying to make the best flat white he can at home, I'm still pretty happy with the average americano. However, I may have had my mind changed after trying their aeropress, by far my new favourite way to drink coffee! We spent an hour or so in the quayside shop, accompanied by books and a salted caramel brownie to share, and we left with a bag of beans and an Acme flat white mug, which we're told is the perfect coffee cup - who knew such a thing existed!
After another wander in the sun, we headed home for asparagus and dippy eggs for tea. It's happened so many times before, but we've fallen in love with Norfolk all over again.
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