Easter Monday,Acle Weavers Way, Tunstall church, Cherry trees.

This is another new walk for me and a particularly pretty one, although today there was a pretty stiff wind we were mostly sheltered.
W started off at Damgate Lane in Acle, parked right at the bottom of the road outside the sewage works gates,not as bad as it sounds!!!We walked along a shady road to a small crossroads where we had a choice of turning right or left, our route today took us to the right, along by a ditch on the other side of the ditch were some very sweet bullocks all fluffy and curly haired, they decided to follow us as we walked, and were very curious little boys!! As we walked along there was a screeching from some trees to our right we thought it may be a Buzzard, but a Kestrtel flew out, then we saw in the distance a Hobby, and later on a Marsh Harrier, all good stuff so far.
As we walked we came accross another small dyke , the water was crystal clear and there were Lilly pads floating in the clear water and around them swam tiny Tadpoles. it was a complete contrast to the ditch on the other side of the path which was brown and murky.
We walked across a large field, we were lucky today no Bulls in it , there are usually a few there, there is a warning notice but it isnt seen until you reach the end of the path near a style.
In the autumn time along the next part of the road there are usually bushes dripping with yellow bullaces, I think that is what they are, but whatever they are they are delicious!!
We carried along a lane edged with scarlet campion and jack by the hedge(Garlic Mustard) and there were lots of Red Damselflies, we were hoping to see one of the early Dragonflies, the Hairy Dragonfly, and on our return journey we were lucky, we saw it, and got some pictures, there were Butterflies everywhere, Orange Tip, Brimstone, White, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, and Peacock, it was a lovely sheltered little lane but the next part of our journey took us out into the oncoming wind, so we braced ourselves and set off.
Our next two choices were left or right again, left to Tunstall Dyke drainage Mill or right to Tunstall Church, we decided on the drainage mill where we would sit on a wooden bridge and have our lunch, and after we would go to the church.
We carried on through an archway of Bullace bushes ,once again , in autumn they would be dripping with purple fruit, then we walked out into the full force of the wind, there were a few nettles which reminded us to remember to bring the sting cream next time, along the weay we heard Sedge Warblers in the nearby bushes, and saw another Marsh Harrier in the distance, this was a strange part of the walk as quite nearby we could see the Acle Straight from a different perspective, and also the train tracks, but we sat with our backs to all that and hunckered down as best we could, we made a makeshift shelter on the sside of the bridge with our picnic blankets and wedged ourselves against this to keep out of the wind, we took some lovely pictures, very atmospheric, with the reed swaying in the wind and the old mill looming behind!
We stuffed our faces until we nearly popped, we needed energy for the treck to the church and the walk back to the car.
We walked back to the turning to the church another secluded lane with lots of wildlife ,my daughter had  decided to meanwhile wrap herself up in a grey blanket and fashion herself a walking stick, so we now called her Frodo, with her rolled up pack she looked like one of the fellowship!!!( I aint never bin this far Mr Frodo)
Turning up the path towards Tunstall church was a lovely sight ,you could just make out the ruined part of the church through the trees , and it was framed by a beautiful pink cherry tree in full blossom, pink blossom lay all over the ground like pink snow, it was truly beautuful, we sat inside the ruined area for a little while and  took a few photos, if you do decide to go there dont forget to go in the little church next door which has been restored it is very pretty, we left a little message in the book and a donation and then started off on the journey homeward.

Easter "Ramblings".Steam Trains, Sheringham.

Now is that rambling as in talking a load of "squit "as us Norfolk folk say, or rambling as in lovely walks, you be the judges, I hope it is the latter.
The first little jaunt was a short one, parking at Upton Staithe, and wandering along the back roads for a little way on  a hazy sunny Good Friday, nosing at the lovely gardens on the way, a glimpse of a lovely pond , passing a farm the cows were lazing in deep straw about a foot thick, big brown eyes , shiny russet hides, so content and chewing and contemplating the day quietly, not me, the cows!!Wandering on we found the turning off towards the woods, we passed some sheep, they looked like a kind of special breed of sheep, chocolate brown with large curly horns.Carrying on towards the woods, we stopped  a while on a small wooden bridge, and peered down into the water, we caught a glimpse of a grass snake hiding amongst some water plants, it heard us and swam silently awasy.the woodswere flecked with dappled sun, a lovely perfume wafted on the breeze, the Bluebells were in bloom, a haze of lilac blue on the woodland floor,
Saturday, we did the touristy thing, and visited Sheringham Park, but we decided to not stay in the actual park but walk out to the Weybourne Cliffs, Sheringham Park was bustling with people , ramblers , picnicers, cyclists, dog walkers, we took a little map from the tourist info and planned our route, taking in various viewpoints overlooking rolling countryside and off into the distant hazy sea, walking down steep woodland paths we carried on to what i called the Gazebo, but what is called The Temple, built of white stone at the top of a small hill, we decided it was time for lunch and so sat and had our picnic under a nearby tree away from the public path and the noise and bustle, it was so peaceful, sitting atop the hill looking out towards the sea, and contemplating how long it would take us, plenty of refreshment breaks on the way for energy!!
Next leg of our journey took us along the hoggin type road infront of the large Mansion House, on the way being nearly run over by over zealous mountain bikers!!Oh to be near the Sea and way from this, we came to the little kissing gate, and carried on to our right, along by some fields , which in mid summer will probably be full of meadow flowers, we crossed the road, and took the narrow path up towards the railway bridge,we sat on the wall for a moment incase the steam train came along but it didnt, so sat looking over the countryside, nearby a White throat was singing in the Hawthorn bushes, and we saw a Grey Partridge in the field, a tick for me.singing gaily above us were Skylarks, they always make me smile, and I always remember schooldays in summer laying in the grass on the school field looking up at them and listening to their lovely happy song.

We walked along the cliff tops for a little while and sat and had more lunch, then lay down and dozed for a little while, it was warmer when we lay down as the wind was quite stiff and cool, but it didnt stop the Sand Martens , they swooped and dived so close to us just above the edge of the cliffs, you could almost touch them it seemed.

On the way back excitement leaning over the railway bridge there it was, chugging towards us a thick grey swathe of smoke in the distance, it got steadily closer we could feel the rumbling, we waved, the driver waved back and pulled the whistle, then with an almighty hiss, a huge plume of white steam enveloped us, the smel a mix of scorching steam and oil and smoke, rumbling off behind us.

Runham "Virgin" path!!

Thismorning I was greeted by my little Wren singing joyfully from the top of my big old Holly tree,lovely sight and sound, before going off to the "smoke" good old Norwich for some shopping therapy, much needed as have not been feeling too well just recently.
Yesterday went for a lovely walk , one of our new "virgin" paths!!Runham circular walk, we parked at Runham church, then took a leisurely stroll down to the river (Bure), crossed a field  full of hefty looking horses who decided to follow us , then we walked up the embankment and we were greeted by a vast expanse of reed, the sun was behind us and was turning the tops of the reeds a shining gold, we walked back towards the mill and on the way could hear ping pings (Bearded Reedlings) ping ping is a better name , very descriptive of the calls they make flitting about in the reeds,we saw a little path going off into the reeds and decided to follow it down from the embankment , we walked through the reeds ,could just about see through them as they were taller than us, and there they were two little Bearded Tits, swinging about in the reeds ,they couldnt see us so they were quite happy, like little bandits,we stood for a while and silently watched them,then carried on to the river, then we sat on the bank in the late afternoon sun, so peaceful, apart from a couple of boats going by.
Back up on the embankment as we carried on , a Short Eared Owl flew out from a ditch on our left and glided acrossed a nearby furrowed fied, , it was a tick for me , it flew off into the distance and perched on a post.
Just before the mill we joined up with the return path down off the embankment and through a field where we heard Sedge Warblers, it was a lovely walk and not very long, but well worth it, another tick for one of my new walks.

Dragonflies at Upton.

I know I shouldnt say this but I am so glad not many people seem to go to the Upton reserve,if there were too many people there the whole ambience of the place would disappear,it is one of my many favourite places, in mid summer what a glorious place, Damselflies , Dragonflies, Butterflies everywhere, and if you are lucky you may see a Swallowtail Butterfly one of our Norfolk rareties,walking along the "paths" its silent, maybe soft  rustling of reeds in the breeze,stopping at the viewpoint and having a picnic, and then being surrounded by Damselflies alighting everywhere around you on the wooden posts, basking in the sun just like you, or even catching sight of a Swallowtail fluttering over the reeds.
My daughter took the photos of the Dragonflies , ill see if I can dig out some photos of the area so you can get an idea.we used to walk from the staithe at upton and along a country road and along by a field and then into a beautiful bluebell wood, that walk just about covers every single type of natural habitat you can think of.Heaven!!Cant wait for our summer walk there!

Beachcombing.

Just a quicky this time, a Goshawk been seen at Winterton Dunes, has been there couple of days so I have been told, hopefully it will still be about at the weekend maybe give me a chance to see it.
A walk on the Beach awaits, do a bit of beachcombing, another of my favourite past times.who knows what you will find? last year a poor little pipefish had been washed up strangest looking thing, like an uncurled Seahorse, so I put it back in the water, another time there were thousands of tiny jellyfish washed up,
Sometimes there are lovely pieces of wood that have been smoothed down by the waves.So other than being in lovely forests, I also get a wonderful feeling of peace being near the sea,probably comes from spending so much time playing there when I was very little, being taken there by my Dad all the time, finding lovely things and looking for Amber.Oh well the beach beckons!!

Luncheon on the lawn at How Hill House, and cromin?

Well arent we the Hoi Palloi!!Do you spell it like that??Bit of a non task with the Beavers volunteers on Sunday,dragged a few trees as you do!!put them on a fire!thats what us nature people do!!Then we had lunch on the lawn infront of How Hill House, very civilised,tea,  cake , quiche,cup cakes, yum!!then a lovely walk around Buttles marsh, supposed to hear Bitterns booming but they were on strike that day,never mind no doubt we will hear them soon!This was all in aid of a farewell to Rob who is retiring as our great leader,

Yesterday, Monday the weather was glorious  again, so decided to go for a walk on my patch, for a change,walked up West Road, and then down Clink Hill and along the concrete path to the river, but first we sat right at the top of the hill on a little seat outside the church, with a glorious view over to Breydon, it was lovely and warm and there was a haze in the distance, and we could see the glint of sun on Breydon!The river was quiet only a couple of boats thank goodness,not into the full silly season just yet,we sat on the embankment and looked out over the marshes,just a few birds twittering in the trees,we walked back and it had become very warm, so layering was removed, and the first t shirt only (no cardi) appeared!!We strolled leisurely home, and then sat in the garden, a few Holly Blue butterflys were about and a couple of small whites.

Today Tuesday, was a bit of a lazy day, although being a good old Norfolk Gal, I did some Cromin !!
Suggestions on a piece of paper sent to me as above??do you know what cromin is??and have I spelt it correctly?

Guilty pleasures.!!

Come on fess up, what do you secretly watch or enjoy,you know you shouldnt, but you just cant help it!!!Mine? Ive just realised I cant stop watching "The only way is Essex" SHU...UUUUUUP,those of you who watch it will know!!!!
Harry and Amy are my favourites so funny!!!Harry at his 17th birthday party, dressed as Lady GaGa and doing her dance!!!classic!!!!
So come on what are your guilty pleasures?

Beautiful Brimstone.

Yesterday was another glorious day,after sorting out the Sycamore posts for my rustic fence near the dyke, I sat and watched the birds for a little while, a male and female Blackcap came visiting, flitting in the Forsythia, heard a Willow warbler in the woods at the back of the dyke.and at last two Blue tits have decided which nesting box they like ,and are now building a nest.
Also a Brimstone butterfly was in the garden.

White tailed eagle over Winterton!!!

Being a new birder what a grip this was!!!!!

Phone call arrived at 5pm Sunday, and we rushed straight off to highest ground to get an all round view, and lo and behold about ten minutes after arriving and lots of phone calls to friends , there it was ,amazing sight, huge,with two gulls chasing it!!they looked like little pinpricks in size!!It headed south along the coast and then we saw it turn inland and it seemed to land, as we lost sight and it was quite low, we guessed it would head towards a body of water so we opted for Ormesby and Rollesby Broad, then headed for Filby, to then receive a call that it was headed for Breydon, but it didnt like the look of Breydon, too open no cover for roosting maybe, so it then went to Mautby, we were told!!But we were satisfied, we had seen it!!yey!!!

The next day at our volunteers task I well and truly gripped them all, somebody had to do it!!!!!