Nathan Swain was Junior Winner of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2015. He and his family visited the UK to attend the awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Commonwealth Essay Competition Prize Trip: From 26th Oct.2015

This page shows Nathan's and his family while staying with ann and Alan Ashworth in Norfolk
See also:

More about the competition, Nathan's essay and Tristan photos: Commonwealth Essay Competition
Nathan's time in London and Surrey: RCS Essay Prize Trip
The RCS Winners Week Events: RCSWinners Week
The Swains in the West Country: CECUKTrip20152
 The family return home via Cape Town RCS Essay Prize Trip 4

This section covers the Swain family's stay in Norfolk, guests of Alan and Ann Ashworth in their home in Wells-next-the-Sea from their arrival on Sunday 25th October to Monday 2nd November when they travelled to Heathrow for their flight to Cape Town.
Photos and reports from Ann Ashworth

Above: Mark, Paula and Nathan with their hosts Ann and Alan Ashworth by the Wells-next-the-sea sign.
Left: The Tristan flag raised at the Ashworth's Abbey House.
Monday 2nd November
The prize adventure in England draws to a close as the Swains fly off.
Ann and Alan call the porch of their home 'Little Tristan' as it contains a flag, crest and various framed pictures. Here Paula, Nathan and Mark prepare to leave Norfolk for a foggy road trip to Heathrow.
Mark, Paula and Nathan saying farewell to their generous friends Ann and Alan as they prepare to board their flight to Cape Town which departed Monday evening and arrived safely in Cape Town at 11.16 local time on Tuesday 3rd November.
Sunday 1st November
Christmas arrives early
Hostess Ann Ashworth's final full day report:

Leisurely day with final crabbing session for Nathan - he caught 92 plus 4 which got away ! Awarded him the crabbing fridge magnet (see photo below). We all enjoyed 'The Last Supper' which was curry by Chef Alan and then gave our farewell presents.
Also Santa had arrived early directly from The North Pole and delivered Nathan's Christmas stocking to us.(see photo above).
He was allowed to open just one of the contents which was a NATHAN flashing bauble for the Christmas Tree. The rest will have to wait until Christmas morning.
Saturday 31st October

Above: More retail therapy for the ladies.

Above Right: At home in Wells.

Right: Alan i/c of the braai with Paula Mark and Nathan.

Friday 30th October

 

Ann and Alan took the family to Kings Lynn for shopping trip.

The photo shows Mark and Nathan by the George Vancouver statue in the town.

 
Thursday 29th October  
Three photos of another crabbing session
alongside Wells Harbour.
Below Left: View seawards along the tidal estuary.
Below: Afternoon visit to Little Walsingham to see the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham
Wednesday 28th October
Morning visit to The Rescue Wooden Boats Centre kindly opened especially for us by Kate Faire - very interesting for Nathan & Mark.
Afternoon to Nelson's birthplace, Anmer (where Prince William now lives- didn't see them only a security car) and Sandringham House (right) where the Queen usually resides at Christmas and where Princess Charlotte was baptised.
Evening meal at Abbey House was preceded with celebration bubbly and picture present for Nathan (showing his presentation at Buckingham Palace) and followed by another cake. Ann has her arm in a sling and so Alan was chef for the night!
Tuesday 27th October
Mark and Nathan caught 72 crabs using a handline on the quayside in the morning
Jennifer & Ken Gardner arrived from Warwickshire
in the afternoon to meet Paula, Mark & Nathan
and to stay nearby for two nights.

Left: The evening meal for seven at the Wells Crab House cafe using fish caught on their own fishing boat.

Below: After a n evening stroll along the quayside
the group felt at home in the The Albatross Pub
on an old Dutch sailing vessel
moored permanently in Wells Harbour.
Cheers!
Monday 26th October: Settling in to Wells-next-the-Sea
The Swains at Ann and Alan's home
Outside the Edinburgh Inn
Mark, Paula and Nathan at Wells-next-the-sea harbour.
 
Ann and Alan arranged a special afternoon visit to the Wells Lifeboat Station where they were met by coxswain Allen Frary
who gave the group a tour, including the inshore lifeboat and observing the evening practice launch of the main lifeboat.
Photos above and below show scenes at the Station, including, below, Nathan at the helm and the evening launch of the vessel.

 

The first full day in Norfolk ended with a drink at the Edinburgh Inn followed by fish & chips in French's fish & chip shop overlooking the harbour (see photo left).

 

Sunday 25th October : Birthday boy arrives in Norfolk

Mark, Paula and Nathan travelled all the way from Somerset to North Norfolk on Nathan's 12th birthday. They were met at London's Waterloo Station by Gwynneth Cooper who escorted them across London to catch the Norwich train at Liverpool Street Station, where they changed onto the Sheringham train,
and here they are finally at their destination.

Met my their hosts Alan and Ann Ashworth, they travelled by road to their home in Wells-next-the sea where Nathan enjoyed sharing his football cake and present of a Manchester United rucksack thanks to his hosts.