Elsie Temple

Staff member at Blakeney Deil and The Morston Anchor

I live in the most amazing place in the world - Morston.

I don’t suffer from an addictive personality, but I have an addiction to one thing: my home. Ever since I was a child, I have always been ambitious and have struggled with the overwhelming desire to please other people. I have often taken paths in my life with this in mind; choosing what I think I should be doing, rather than what truly makes me happy.

Boarding school? I stayed for a grand total of 6 nights while I was involved in a school musical. I then proceeded to announce I would never ever be staying the night away from home for so long again, and not anywhere so far away. It was a 15-minute drive.

University? Yeah, I went. For two and a half weeks. My amazing Mum helped me pack all my belongings into a trailer and drive me four hours to Brighton, only to turn around and come back to get me because I missed home.

Travelling? Well, I don't think many people can say they travelled by plane (14 hours each way) to the Philippines on their own… for one night.

Career? I lived in the Big Smoke for six months whilst working on a television series. I absolutely loved the job but found myself getting into my car on a Friday night (even if it wasn’t until midnight) and driving back to Morston so I could spend the weekend in my happy place.

The truth is, for me there is nowhere quite like Norfolk. I am incredibly fortunate that I have parents who have shown me the phenomenal things my home has to offer. The summer is like no other; water skiing by day and trickling into the pub barefoot and splattered in mud come the evening. You can’t beat those days of filling a wheelbarrow with supplies (towels, barbecues, vino) and heading out across the sands to find a secluded little piece of heaven.

The winter is just as fabulous. We get wrapped up warm in snowsuits and bobble hats and take to the beach with a flask of hot chocolate. When your cheeks are pink and cold after a day outside in the harsh winds, you feel extra deserving of that extra portion of roast beef when you get home!

There’s also something enchanting about walking to the local supermarket and always passing at least one person that I know for a yarn. Sometimes it can take an hour to go and purchase a pint of milk - and I LOVE it!

 I have come to realise that everyone is different, and there is nothing wrong with being the girl that doesn’t want to leave. I have accepted that I would rather sit on a freezing cold bench looking out at the marshes with a bacon butty than go out for a civilised brunch date. And I would rather sit around a fire playing cards in the pub than necking tequila in a club (not that these card games don’t very often result in a round of tequila anyway…).

 Many of my friends have moved away to chase careers in the city and follow dreams of the big bucks, but sooner or later they all get the Norfolk itch and can’t wait to get back.

I personally no longer feel any pressure to follow any career path - if I spend my days waking up here, I will always be happy.

 After all, home is where the heart is.