Hull Part 3- A Walk I Remember

The B&B owner had told us that there was a famous walking path behind the farm, through the Paull Nature Reserve, that stretched for 30 miles, which he would have recommended to us on a dry day. According to him, due to the rain, the ground would have been too muddy for us who did not have proper wellies. So we had given up on the thought of taking the walk. 

We set off on our journey back to London early on the third morning. But the little duck on the sign to to the Reserve car park was too tempting, so we decided to turn in anyway to see what it was like.

As we had been told, it was the start of a very long walk that followed the Humber Estuary.

Just then, out of the grey skies came the sun! What a difference the sun makes. It transformed the dreary surroundings into an enticing walk. 

So we gave in. We decided to walk the path. The ground turned out not to be very muddy, mainly because the wind-chill factor had hardened the wet ground. The path was next to a swamp-like area that overlooked the Estuary. Yet the vastness of the area gave us a sense of happiness that London does not give.

There, the teasing sun.

From the path we could overlook the backyard of the B&B where we stayed.

After about a mile in, we decided that was enough, as the wind was getting stronger, and we had to head back to London. On our way back, we managed to get some shots of the famous Humber Bridge, the seventh-longest suspension bridge in the world.

Goodbye Paull!

Hull Part 2- Bonding with the Animals

We stayed at a lovely B&B called Paull Holme Farm. It was a 20-minute drive from the busyness of Hull centre, and was literally on a farm. (No farm is complete without a weather vane...)

They had a wonderful breakfast concept. Instead of making their guests wake up at a set time before the food runs out, they had a designated breakfast room where the cereal, juices, milk, meat slices etc were ready for eating at any time of the morning.

No farm is complete without animals. And they had very many chickens! (The solitary white chicken on the tree stump is, as far as we could tell, the only fake chicken on the farm)

We spent the (second) day visiting the small sea-side town of Withernsea. We were still unable to shake off the cold weather that had been following us on all our travels (it was bright and sunny the week before our trip, and then we were greeted by snow on this day!). So we abandoned our planned beach-walk in favour of doing some grocery shopping at Aldi and a quick visit to the lighthouse at Withernsea. 

We also had one of the best ice-creams and desert at the famous AJ's cafe. We were hoping to visit Fort Paull, but unfortunately a locked gate greeted us. So we returned early to the B&B just in time to watch the owner feed his chickens.

Now, you might think that you know everything you need to know about chickens, but you do not, if you don't know the following two points. First of all, they are great at ghosting. They follow you very closely if you walk among them, because they think you will feed them. 

And secondly, they are funny! When the B&B owner came out for feeding time, the whole flock of chickens were running (the usual way) towards the seeds scattered on the ground. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, an  attention-seeking, huge, clunky chicken who wanted to show off his running skills decided to breeze past the flock by take HUGE Bolt-like strides to get to the food first! It cracked us up so good that we still laugh about it now.

The owners also had 2 dogs, Harvey and Buster. They were such loyal dogs, taking the initiative to guard the farm every time they heard any sounds. They quickly became our good friends. We miss them.

Hull Part 1- Dining with the Sharks

The hubby brought me on a surprise birthday road trip to Hull. Knowing how much I love underwater worlds, the hubby arranged for us to dine with the fishes. Not sleeping with them, thankfully! (Haha punny punny).We arrived at The Deep after checking in at a cosy farm that evening. We were greeted by rubbery jellyfish and the sight of deep sea corals.

After taking our seat, we were free to roam around the place and discover how limpets stick to rocks the way we should stick to Christ.

Gasped at the sight of how buddy buddy sharks are with the great and mighty stingray. 

Check out the EYES. There's an intense glare for you.

Amazed.

We saw a Clownfish Couple kissing.... adorable! 

We got to behold a new creature- the garden eel. Cute little neon worm-like things bobbing up and down.

Appetiser plate of bread and olive oil dip.

While deciding on the mains, we were visited by another shark.

And a giant fish.

Hub managed to catch a magnificent picture of a shark swimming away into the deep. Favourite picture. Can anyone hum the theme to Jaws?

The Moray Eel

Among many other creatures, the place had some giant Madagascan cockroaches too. Glad we only saw those AFTER our meal. Thanks Two Rivers for an unforgettable birthday experience!