Dot and Barbara feeling totally at home at Sandringham. This is a small “house” in the grounds where one of the royals used to go and sit, watching the lake. Sandringham was surprisingly beautiful. Lovely grounds, and the tour of the house was made so much more interesting by the guides, who were totally up to the brim with knowledge of its history, and good at putting it over. We were there on Wednesday, and the weather wasn’t bad – quite a bit of sun, though pretty windy. After Sandringham we drove to Wolferton, then Burnham Market, where there was a wandering round of the shops. In the evening a late decision found us at the Playhouse, where we saw an excellent concert involving a Russian violinist and English pianist, and someone who turned the pages. She tried to stay in the background, but she couldn’t prevent us from seeing how good a job she was doing.

Thursday was much duller, but the wind had dropped just enough for us to go sailing in Blakeney harbour, starting at Morston, with Norfolk Etc. We were captained by a brilliant young Aberdonian called Colin, who was not only extremely proficient, as you might have expected, but also friendly and entertaining. We all had to wear all-over waterproofs that did nothing for the normally glamorous picture that Dot and Barbara present to the world. We landed on the point and walked over to the other side before returning on the last of the tide. Afterwards the normal beautifully presented lunch at Cookies (Salthouse), plus a visit to a wildlife art exhibition at Glandford and then afternoon tea at Blakeney Hotel, in the first-floor lounge overlooking the estuary. Quite a full day, topped off by watching a DVD at home – Aeon Flux, which was fun, but not as good as Star Trek, which we saw at the ciinema the following evening. Much better than the original TV series, with strong characterisation and script and an interesting plot. Kept me glued to my seat for two hours.

Earlier we’d visited the Time and Tide Museum at Yarmouth. Not my first time, but first for everyone else. Wonderful museum, highly recommended. Followed by a snack at the attached Silver Darlings cafe and a windy walk in the valley at Winterton.