Slowing Down in Norfolk

When we had our son Zeus, I started to worry about living in London. I grew up in the countryside and was keen for Zeus to enjoy nature as I did rather than experience some of the things that city can life can force on you. We moved to Norfolk on the East coast of England in June. Our new town is about two hours out of central London but a million miles away in terms of the pace of life and the landscape. The Norfolk countryside is flat so the fields go on and on and the sunsets last until late evening. There are also large rivers that run right through our little village of Magdalen that the local teenagers jump in to on hot days.

As a photographer I’m obsessed with light and Norfolk is perfectly suited to my own colour palette. The evenings are warm orange and the light at Hunstanton Beach, which you’ll see in these pictures, reminds me of that pastel California light that hangs in the air and washes beauty over everything.

The community here is so welcoming and kind. We can buy eggs, blackberries and peas just by walking along the side of our road. It reminds me of a time I wanted to get back to, when neighbours trusted each other and people helped others without being asked. Our pace of life has slowed with our surroundings. We play Boules in the garden and push Zeus around in our wheelbarrow as he squeals with laughter. We spend lazy weekends gardening and exploring riverside pubs or antique shops in the historic town of Ely. Best of all the Summer at Holly House has washed away the stresses of London living and makes returning to the city much more pleasurable. Though now I walk a little slower when I’m there!