This is the first Christmas/New Year period where there has not been the need to think about how to best use those very precious annual leave days. Taking Christmas Eve as a day off always seemed a waste as did the days between Boxing Day and New Years Day as there would be very few people in work and invariably it would be used as a time to catch up on e-mails, filing and tidying up ready for the start of the next year. It was so nice not to have to worry about that this year!

Having caught up with a few friends and family in Derby after our return to the UK we headed across to Norfolk to see the New Year in with friends living close to North Walsham. North Norfolk is a lovely area and having eaten plenty, drank even more and seen the start of 2015 arrive we had the opportunity to see fireworks at Cromer Pier as well as do some walking in Sheringham Park overlooking the coast in the first few days of the new year.

The tradition of a New Years Day firework display at Cromer started in the year 2000 as part of the millennium celebrations and has now become a firm favourite with the locals. There were many thousands lined up on the streets overlooking the sea and 115 year old pier ready for the 5pm start. Too be honest I expected a couple of rockets and the odd roman candle and to be on the way within five minutes, but they really did impress! The fifteen minute display was actually very good and worth the time spent standing on the sea wall facing the pier. The only downside was the rain that started to fall just after the fireworks had finished which turned into an absolute downpour by the time we had queued to get back to the car - it was cold and very wet!

Before leaving Norfolk and heading back to the Midlands there was time to go walking at Sheringham Park, owned by the National Trust, that gave us expansive views over the North Norfolk Coast especially from the top of the Gazebo. Fortunately our timings also allowed us to see a steam train passing on the North Norfolk Railway and even though it was bitterly cold the sun was out and the view across to the sea was really most pleasant.