We went to the seaside today.
Mrs F bravely drove us to Walton on the Naze where the jobsworth in the station refused to let us use the loo as "it was for passengers only" As there were no passengers I can't see what harm it would have done National Express Trains to let an eight year old child and 49 year old on diuretics use the toilet, so boo to you National Express.
So off we went into town and after finding a loo we took a stroll on the pier. It was bloody freezing so the novelty soon wore off and we went in search of lunch. After a refreshing pint at the Walton Tavern we were soon ensconced in one of Walton's fish shops where we had a lovely piece of haddock and chips for £5.95 yum.
Then on to the headland where Mrs F, Old Nick and the Powder Monkey had fun searching for fossils on the beach while I watched the birds feeding by the waterline through my binoculors. I was delighted to see so many ringed plovers and sanderling hunting for worms and things, not to mention the black headed gulls who now have their lovely chocolate brown heads once more.
Aside from the birds on the beach we saw common thrush, blackbirds, jackdaws, wood pigeons, starlings, carrion crows, magpies, rooks, herring gulls and blue tits so not a bad day for wildlife despite the howling wind.
On the way home we stopped at Parkers Garden Centre in Frinton where they have some day old chicks and lambs on show. They also have a different kind of fish shop with tropical and cold water fish and reptiles too.