Kett Blog

Posted on February 4, 2012 by

Bird Sightings in North Norfolk

Pensthorpe Reserve near Fakenham is regionally recognised as a breeding site for many species that are of limited distribution in the UK, including Little Ringed Plover, Sandmartin, and Marsh Harrier. Pensthorpe also attracts Avocets, Redshank, Greenshank, Lapwings and Bittern, as well as a wealth of warbler species and other Summer migrants.

Pensthorpe’s resident wildlife expert, Thomas, records the sightings from around the reserve and farmland weekly.  They may also contain entries from their sightings book which is located in the Viewing Gallery.  

You can follow what has been seen around the reserve over past weeks and months. Recent sightings include:

Great crested Grebe sighting at Pensthorpe

Great crested Grebe

A Great crested Grebe – usually none returns until a bit later in the year.

Grey Heron sighted at Pensthorpe

Grey Heron sighted at Pensthorpe

Grey Heron

Little Egret sighting at Pensthorpe

Little Egret sighting at Pensthorpe

Little Egret – recently only one has been seen.

Bittern sighting in North Norfolk

Bittern sighting in North Norfolk

Bittern – This bird was seen early in the morning of 11th and is the first this year.

Pensthorpe was the Host of BBC Springwatch and was voted Norfolks Best Visitor Attraction 2009. If you are staying in one of our cottages or holidaying in North Norfolk, why not visit them and find out more about their great wildlife walks, learn about their conservation projects, or just enjoy some of the best local gardens and birdlife for miles around, there is something to suit every taste.

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2012 is a big year for Norfolk

Posted on February 2, 2012 by

It’s a really big year for all of Great Britain, but with London hosting the 2012 Olympics and the Paralympics, Norfolk is right next to all the action!

Norfolk is close to the 2012 Olympic Games

London is less than 2 hours travel by train from Norfolk and around 2 hours’ drive from the centre of London, so it’s in the perfect spot for sports lovers to venture to. Norfolk was even recommended as a place tourists should visit by our own Secretary of State for Culture, Jeremy Hunt!

Olympic torch8,000 inspirational people will carry the Olympic Flame as it journeys across the UK. Nominated by someone they know, it will be their moment to shine, inspiring millions of people watching in their community, in the UKand worldwide.

The Olympic Torch Relay route has been planned so that the Flame will come within ten miles of 95 percent of people in the UK. A different town and city of the UK will welcome the Olympic Flame every evening of the Torch Relay. To see where and when the Olympic Torch will be in Norfolk  on July 4th and 5th, view the interactive map of the route at http://l2012.cm/xAj6iV.

Here at Kett we’re getting ready for the influx of all the tourists who are coming to visit this beautiful part of the country while they’re in the UK. We’re also hoping to get a chance to see some of the world’s top athletes exploring Norfolk while they’re here to compete. We’re getting lots of calls from people who are interested in staying in one of our Norfolk cottages to get the full English countryside experience!

It’s not just tourists from abroad that are keen to come and spend a family holiday out here in Norfolk, but people from all around the UK that are planning to come and visit us here. We’re proud to have a number of pet friendly cottages that people can stay in so that all the family members, including the canine ones, can enjoy the holiday.

We’re also really looking forward to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year, and here in Norfolk we’re planning to celebrate in style. There are a number of special events in different towns, and communities all over the county are organising events.

There are even going to be street party workshops so that you can be sure that wherever in Norfolk you are when the celebrations kick off, you’re in for a wonderful time.

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Rare Breed Flocking To Our Shores!

Posted on January 30, 2012 by

We have experienced an unusually mild winter which resulted in keen kitesurfers and windsurfers still flocking to our shores. 

Windsurfing Lessons at Hunstanton Watersports

Learn A New Sport while on holiday in Norfolk

Kite surfing and windsurfing are major sports on the Norfolk coast and can be done in most places, with Brancaster and Hunstanton beaches being very popular. Kitesurfing is the exciting, adrenalin-pumping extreme water sport that has taken the world by storm.

Feel confident and learn in one the country’s best locations for kitesurfing. Hunstanton offers safe, flat, shallow water with wide open beaches making the learning experience much easier. The reliable south-west prevailing winds and sandy bay, protected by a sandbank, make this one of the best places in the UK to begin your love for watersports – you will be certain to see windsurf fanatics from across the country making the most of this fantastic venue too!

As Spring is now in sight and just round the corner, Hunstanton Watersports are gearing up for all our new Spring/Summer stock to land into our fresh look store for 2012. We are also planning our activity courses for the coming season and now proud to announce Kett Country Cottage customers will benefit from a 10% discount on all our kitesurfing, windsurfing and stand up paddle boarding courses. The team will be in full swing from March onwards so perhaps if you’re on holiday in Norfolk and staying in one of Kett Country Cottages‘ properties, why not make this the year to learn a new sport? We provide all the equipment and safety equipment along with showers and changing room facilities. We have a full team of qualified instructors lined up for 2012 so why wait?

For local weather updates, go to http://www.hunstantonweather.com/

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Big Garden Birdwatch

Posted on January 27, 2012 by

 One Hour Well Spent…..

Big Garden Birdwatch 2012….why not count the birds in your garden for one hour this weekend – 28-29 January – and help the RSPB see how birds are doing across the UK. It couldn’t be easier to take part in, and your results will really help them. Keep reading to find out just how easy doing the Big Garden Birdwatch is.

All you need is a pen, some scrap paper (or, a printout of their handy bird ID sheet), and an hour to spend watching the birds in your garden, or local park, on either Saturday 28, or Sunday 29 January 2012.

Simply make a note of the highest number of each bird species seen on the ground (not flying over) at any one time, and come back to the Big Garden Birdwatch pages to tell them what you saw.

You can also ask questions, and share your tips for a brilliant birdwatch on the friendly Big Garden Birdwatch community group.

You can do your birdwatch on your own with a cuppa, your favourite biscuit and your feet up, or try and beat the largest group that took part in 2011: 84 adults and 2 children.

They also don’t really mind where you do your count. You can take part even if you are just holidaying in Norfolk. Check out this video for some of the more unusual places that people did their 2011 birdwatch: http://vimeo.com/19186654

For over 30 years, the RSPB have been asking you to count the birds in your garden – and you’ve been brilliant at it.

Every year, even more of you join in with the count, and 2011 turned out to be one of the best yet. With results from so many gardens, the RSPB are able to create a ‘snapshot’ of bird numbers in each region. This is important because they’ve been able to see that some of our birds are disappearing in scary numbers.

We’ve lost more than half our house sparrows and some three-quarters of our starlings. And your results have helped highlight these dramatic declines.

However, it isn’t all doom and gloom – these surveys help them spot problems, but more importantly, they are also the first step in putting things right.

We all look forward to finding out what you’ve seen.

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Breakfast like a King in Norfolk

Posted on January 23, 2012 by
Farmhouse Breakfast Week

Breakfast Like A King in Norfolk

Farmhouse Breakfast Week celebrates the most important meal of the day and showcases the wealth of wonderful breakfast produce available around the UK. From butchers style sausages to speciality bread and cereals, there is a fantastic choice to kick-start your day and there are events happening right across the country. From visiting your local Farmers’ Market, attending an open day at your local farm, or enjoying an all-day breakfast at your local cafe, North Norfolk has a huge selection of venues to ensure there is something for everyone to help celebrate Farmhouse Breakfast Week.

Eat Breakfast like a King, lunch like a Prince and dinner like a Pauper”

Top Tips for a healthy breakfast

  • Eating bread and cereals for breakfast provides carbohydrate for energy, as well as vitamins, minerals and fibre.
  • Having a piece of fruit starts you on your way to 5-a-day.
  • Milk and yogurts provide protein and calcium.
  • Beans, eggs, low fat bacon and kippers all provide added protein and can add a bit of variety to breakfast.

Too busy for breakfast?

There are plenty of speedy breakfast ideas that can be ready in less than ten minutes.

39% of parents say they eat the same thing every day. Try a simple muesli with a variety of toppings to give your tastebuds a refreshing change!

Breakfast can make you happier and healthier!

Mums say that the most stressful time in the morning is between 8am – 8.30am so remember that having breakfast can help to reduce stress levels – research suggests that breakfast eaters have lower stress levels than breakfast skippers

Several studies have shown eating breakfast can have a positive impact on concentration levels

A healthy breakfast can benefit your mood, physical and mental performance, weight and health.

36% of adults agree that skipping breakfast leads to overeating later in the day

Skipping breakfast is not the way to lose weight! It has been shown that people that start the day with a healthy breakfast are more likely to be within their ideal weight range than those who skip breakfast

How you can celebrate:

If you’re on holiday in Norfolk and staying in one of our self-catering cottages, why not  make it easy on yourself? Try a healthy Breakfast Bar recipe for a breakfast on the go and eat on the way to some of Norfolk’s great attractions or let one of the great selection of local cafes take the strain and make breakfast for you?

Organise a breakfast or brunch at the weekend for a group of your friends

Visit your farmers market and buy some local breakfast produce

Make time to sit down as a family during the week and enjoy your breakfast together

Make breakfast in batches so it’s ready to eat

Try something new for breakfast – take inspiration from the recipes at www.shakeupyourwakeup.com

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Already dreaming about summer in Norfolk?

Posted on January 17, 2012 by

So are we! Now that we’ve passed Christmas and the Winter Solstice, the next thing to look forward to is Easter Holidays, but even more than that, the arrival of summer. With the arrival of sunshine, our spirits lift and we enjoy taking trips down to the beach to simply stick our toes in the sand. Summer also means the arrival of tourists who are keen to share the fun and sun of a Norfolk holiday.  One of the most popular towns with tourists is the historic city of Wells-next-the-sea, with its famous Wells Carnival every summer and the chance to visit Holkham Hall.

With everyone looking forward to summer already, we wanted to share some of the interesting holiday cottages that we have in Wells.

St Michaels Cottage – This is an amazing historic cottage, possibly one of the oldest houses in Wells-next-the-Sea, offering people an amazing opportunity to spend their holiday in a house that is around 500 years old. There’s even a lookout tower at the top of the house so that you can enjoy the beautiful views over Wells.

Barn Owl Cottage – If you’re looking for a cosy cottage that’s practically in the sea at Wells, you couldn’t ask for a more archetypal whitewashed cottage than Barn Owl. The outside looks as traditional as you could wish for, but the inside has been modernised so you have all the modern amenities, including a washing machine and a dishwasher

Brigg Villa - When you can’t decide between being close to town or close to the beach, it’s nice to know that there are cottages situated just between the two. This is a two story home that’s filled with individual furniture, to give a real homely feeling which makes you almost expect your gran to pop around the door and offer you some tea.

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Let it snow!

Posted on December 12, 2011 by

Winter 2010 was known as the ‘Big Freeze’, the UK was thrown into chaos as road salt reserves were at an all-time low and had to be rationed out; traffic came to a halt in places and businesses lost money because staff couldn’t get in to work. However, the snow wasn’t all bad, children had days off school and were able to go sledging and do all sorts of fun things! So, to look on the bright side, here are a few ideas of what to do if and when the snow comes this year. We hope that there isn’t quite as much travel chaos, but if we can get a day or two off work, that wouldn’t be too bad now would it?

1. Snow sculptures – this is something you can do on your own or with other people. You could compete with your neighbours to make the most inventive sculpture!

2. Sledging – an oldie but a goodie! Go to your nearest hilly parkland with your sledge for some child-like fun! Mousehold Heath in Norwich has proved to be a popular location in the past, but a quick internet search will provide more locations close to where you’re staying.

3. Feed the birds – Hollow out an orange and cut off the top, fill with seeds, then thread some string through to hang it on a branch of a tree. Keep an eye out to watch the birds visiting your creation, if you’re really quiet, you could take some pictures too.

4. Play golf – pack down the area of snow you’d like to play in, bury old tins into the ground to make the holes and use a snowball instead of a golf ball!

5. Snow angels – lay down in the snow and make angel patterns by making star-jump shapes with your arms and legs!

'Making a Snow Angel' - by L.C.Nøttaasen

'Making a Snow Angel' - by L.C.Nøttaasen

6. Get crafty – a good one to do with the kids. Get together lots of paper, scissors, paint, glue and glitter and make paper snowflakes, colourful paper chains and paper snowmen to decorate the house with.

7. Duvet day – if going out into the snow is not quite your thing, then make a comfy den in the living room with your duvet on the sofa. Watch your favourite films and surround yourself with chocolates and a warm drink.

8. Mulled wine – a warming winter drink that you can easily make with red wine and ready mixed spice bags from the supermarket; or if you’re feeling adventurous you could make it from scratch, Jamie Oliver has a good recipe.

9. Host a party – snowball fights during the day, then party time in the evening!

10. Chill Factore – even if it doesn’t snow, you can still pretend by visiting the award-winning Chill Factore, where you can do all manner of snow-related activities such as snowboarding and skiing.

If you’re looking for a winter getaway anywhere in the UK, then Norfolk is a great place to start!

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Catataxis

Posted on November 23, 2011 by

A study of the state we are in….Everyone agrees that there should be a bailout for the Eurozone but no one wants to pay the bill. There is no leadership and no one to take charge because they can’t. There is no institution big or powerful enough to deal with it… yet. In Europe, we are privileged enough to be watching the ant turn into an elephant before our very eyes. Yes, this will require upheavals, reorganisations and much red tape. In the end, the Federated States of Europe will emerge. This lumbering, dull witted mastodon, much mocked and stung by the agile insects around it but big enough to crush them without even noticing.

You can buy the book here http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=catataxi

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Big Birds in a Stew

Posted on November 23, 2011 by

Here it is, the solution to all your leftover problems.

Christmas turkey Salami
Serves 4
This is a classic French stew usually using game or wild duck, which has been pre-roasted, while making a rich red wine sauce using the cooked carcase. This dish possibly dates back to the fourteenth century.
This has got to be perfect way of using up your Christmas turkey and you could even spare a little ruby port from the stilton course to glug into the sauce with the red wine.
Cooked Turkey sliced
Chicken carcase
Few chipolatas & bacon rolls chopped
Raw giblets from the turkey (if you haven’t already used them for your gravy.
Left over gravy
2 carrots peeled & diced
2 sticks of celery, diced
2 small onions peeled & diced
2 tsp tomato puree
2 dsp flour
1 bottle of full-bodied red wine
3 juniper berries
2 cloves
1 bayleaf
2 dsp redcurrant jelly
100ml Dripping or olive oil

Sweat diced vegetables in some dripping or olive oil for about 5 minutes. Add chopped giblets including hearts, liver. Add tomato puree. Add chopped bacon and chipolatas. Stir in flour and add red wine & any left over gravy, stir in, and then add the juniper, cloves, bayleaf & redcurrant jelly. Add chopped turkey carcase. Bring everything to a simmer, skim off any scum and simmer for an hour.
Strain off the winey stock and discard the carcase etc. Place stock in a clean pan and reduce liquor on a moderate heat until fully flavoured and lightly thickened. Add turkey slices and gently heat through for about 10 minutes…..serve and enjoy!

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Christmas Weather?

Posted on November 22, 2011 by

The North Sea has never been described as tepid, but Christmas swims have become a real tradition here on the North Norfolk coast and there are 3 chances to have a go this year.

The first is the Hunstanton Round Table Christmas Day Swim. Like all these events, there tend to be more spectators than swimmers but believe me, you’ll need as much support as you can get. The event has been taking place for 50 years and ‘swim off’ is at 11am. You’ll need to contact the organisers at Hunstanton Round Table, c/o Witley Press Ltd, 24 Greevegate, Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 6AD Tel: 01485 532543 to register as they like to count you all in and out again!

If you swim out far enough you might catch sight of a seal – at least they’ll have a sensible reason to be in the water.

Once you have dried off and had the many pats on your back from your friends and relatives, its time to stock up on the mince pies and mulled wine as you need to be getting into your car for the short drive to Cromer for their Boxing Day swim. No half measures over here. Meet at the Pier at 10am for a shortish jog towards Overstrand before returning nice and hot for a cooling dip 11am.

Now this is when the real men can shine. Overstrand also have theirs at 11am so why not keeps the bathers on and nip down to the prom below the Cliff Top Cafe to complete the Christmas hattrick.

Here are the (unofficial) rules
1. No screaming.
2. No gasping.
3. No nakedness.
4. Still no screaming.
5. No paddling.
6. No toe dipping.
7. No towel stealing.

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