Sea Paling was one of the coolest places we stayed, at least from an engineering perspective. As part of the sea defences 9 man-made reefs have been built ontop of a pre-existing sand bar to help stop errosion. The first 4, built in 1995, stand 2.8m above high water and are 240 metres long, with a 240 meter gap between them. Because the rocks break the waves this has resulted in stopping the effect of long-shore drift, and small spits have formed joining the barriers to the shore (known as tombolos). The resulting bays each made for a perfect anchorage for a single Mentor sized yacht. Due to the tight surroundings this was the only night of the whole trip we held an active anchor watch, each of us staying up for a few hours making sure we didn’t drift too close. (The subsequent 5 reefs, built in 1996 were reduced in hight to only 1.2m above high water to avoid these bays forming in an attempt to reduce the impact of erosion further down the coastline).
Source: http://www.georgethegeographer.co.uk/Norfolk/Sea_Palling_and_Happisburgh_Background_information.pdf
We had perfect wind in the morning today, good strength and direction. We set off from our waypoint on our foils, a little overpowered but under control. We had done about 3 miles back to Sea Palling when our support boat had an engine issue and was down to only one engine. We made the call to head to the beach and for Mentor to head in to anchor.
After doing engine checks and finding nothing wrong, we restarted. ( most likely a bit of dirty fuel ) We swapped over to Twin Tips as the swell was getting up, making it difficult for foiling.
We then got a call from the BBC asking about our whereabouts and if we could come into the beach at Gorleston for an interview. Getting on local TV is great for raising the profile so we jumped at the chance. For once the wind played ball and we came right into the beach as they filmed us. It was good to chat about fighting plastic pollution and our enthusiasm for kitesurfing and making sure it is open to more people.
Oscar went to the beach cafe to get us all bacon sandwiches, after which we tried to get going again only for the wind to call it a day. We packed up and headed into Great Yarmouth where we moored up again the Lydia Eva, the last steam drifter of the Herring fishing fleet. She is now part of a trust and still steams.
Mike and Shaun from the BBC came back to do the live part of the broadcast from the boat and we went out live to the East of England at 1845! I think it went well and was great to get the message out there.
Yarmouth’s unusual half lion half fish coat of arms originates from the Battle of Sluys, 24 June 1340, which marked the beginning of the 100 year war. King Edward III, trying to claim the French thrown, won the battle with his ~120 ships (43 of which were sent from Yarmouth, compared to London’s 25) againt France’s 200. As a token of thanks he allowed Yarmouth to take on aspects of the royal crest. They’re obviously still very proud of this as you find it on everything from bins to street signs.
Fun Fact: The fish finger was first developed in an old Birds Eye factory in Great Yarmouth. Although no longer made in Britain, 1.5m Birds Eye fish fingers are sold each day.
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