Bracing

The British coast in winter is often freezing. A little desolate. And with leaden, depressing skies. But it’s not all bad news.

The coastline around Hunstanton in Norfolk has broad, sandy beaches and a magical low tide which make bracing walks longer and more invigorating. Those skies stretch the horizon, while the empty beach huts stand proud and colourful. Strong winds brought paragliders to the water and dozens of strollers were not deterred by the odd miniature sandstorm.

I came here three years ago but this time it felt different. My eyes were drawn to the architectural details of the seaside and those huge vistas which the camera devoured with pleasure. The inspiration had changed but it was still winter – and was wrapped up warmly.

Click first image to view the gallery

Tags: architecture, beach, beach huts, coast, Great Britain, Hunstanton, nature, Norfolk, Old Hunstanton, paragliding, photography, RNLI, seaside, travel

14 thoughts on “Bracing”

jdtphotography.co.uk on January 11, 2016 at 12:18 said:

Hi Mike, hope you had a great New Year celebrations and what a great way to start the year…..to be on the open expanse of a great beach even though the weather has not been so kind as of late.

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- mikeosbornphoto on January 22, 2016 at 18:35 said:
  
  I couldn’t agree more, James. A belated Happy New Year to you too – I’ve been away on my travels and will bring you more on that in the coming weeks.
  
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ckponderings on January 10, 2016 at 11:50 said:

A beautiful set of images, Mike! Bracing indeed, but you’ve captured a British seafront nicely! I want a bag of chips now… :(

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- mikeosbornphoto on January 22, 2016 at 18:36 said:
  
  Hahahaha! Not a hot doughnut? And thanks Richard. Feels a long way distant after my recent travels.
  
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  - ckponderings on January 24, 2016 at 11:18 said:
    
    Don’t get me wrong, I’m not averse to a hot doughnut, but no, chips are what I want! :P
    
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LensScaper on January 5, 2016 at 18:43 said:

Such variety to be found in one place and each image a source of inspiration for another sequence of images. A great gallery for the start of 2016. Happy New Year Mike

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- mikeosbornphoto on January 22, 2016 at 18:41 said:
  
  Many thanks Andy, I appreciate your thoughts very much. A very Happy New Year to you too – sorry it’s taken a while to get back to you.
  
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leecleland on January 3, 2016 at 21:20 said:

Those people even look cold! ‘One Man’ exemplifies all that I associate with low tide on beaches (anywhere) in winter! A lovely image. Have you cropped Rock Strewn and Brave Souls or is one a panorama and the other taken at a different aspect ratio? Just curious Mike because Rock Strewn doesn’t ‘look’ like a panorama but not knowing the size of the rocks, could be :)

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- mikeosbornphoto on January 3, 2016 at 22:13 said:
  
  Hi Lee, it wasn’t cold but wet and windy. Rock Strewn is quite closely cropped – they were just regular rock-sized rocks :) I was reasonably close to them and not at all near those brave boys!
  
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  - leecleland on January 4, 2016 at 20:55 said:
    
    Thanks
    
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Noeline Smith on January 3, 2016 at 12:08 said:

Great collection of images Mike that perfectly capture an English beach in winter.

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- mikeosbornphoto on January 3, 2016 at 12:17 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Noeline. I’m sure I prefer this view to the summer one. And a Happy New Year, of course :)
  
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Cos on January 3, 2016 at 10:14 said:

A beautiful start of 2016, Mike. I love the photo with the sunset, very nice!

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- mikeosbornphoto on January 3, 2016 at 10:52 said:
  
  Thank you Koos :) Yes, it was cold and very windy. Those three people were messing around and perfect models!
  
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