Coast Hopping!!

Rite off we go!! SUN!!!Still searching for the Glaucus Gull, heard news there were three at Sea Palling, heading North we passed through Horsey with its stately Mill, many a calender photo been taken of that landmark, lovely walking paths round there, through reed beds over floating fields, Swallowtail butterflies in Summer if you are lucky, a very atmospheric view of a broken down old Mill along an embankment path.Very sad looking.Past Horsey there is Waxham , with the huge barn another tourist attraction, Sea Palling is a bit further on, in the Summer it is heaving with people but if you head farther away from the boys with their toys, ie kite surfers and jet skis, it is lovely and peaceful, loads of little wooden shanty type houses nestled at the base of the dunes, in one of these gardens we saw a Black Redstart,later in the day, behind the dunes was lovely and balmy out of the wind, but clambering up the steep sandy slope venturing over the crest of the dune, the wind was bitter.we paused to take in the view, Gulls everywhere, the stormy seas had stirred up plenty of food for them.We sat for a while with our backs to the big old curve of the sea wall,There were Greater Black back gulls, Common Gulls, Black Headed  Gulls, Herring Gulls, if you know Sea Palling, you will know there are rock reefs just off the beach

On these reefs were loads of little waders , we had heard that there was a Purple Sandpiper but didnt see it , but there were Turnstones, Ringed Plovers, Grey Plovers, on the beach were Oyster Catchers with their lovely distinctive whistling, the sound I love whenever out on the coast at Blakeney, Cley or Morston.Suddenly all thee Gulls took off, spooked by something, and lo and behold left on the beach was the Glaucus Gull, a youngster but still very big, a distinctive biscuity colour pale wing tips, a pinkish bill, another bird to add to my list great stuff, it took off and headed towards the fields inland.

Time was drawing on so we carried on up the coast to Eccles and Happisburgh and Lessingham,funny little villages like chalk and cheese, Eccles having tiny little wooden houses, and brick houses no road surface at all and no street lighting, I hope they dont have to pay council tax it is a strange little place, Lessingham on the other hand is full of beautiful quaint cottages, some thatched, and Happisburgh has the famous red and white striped light house and the cliffs there are always on the news due to erosion.

East forever East !! Rum ole doins this weather!!

This weather is a rum ole doins Was  goin on ole boy I int likin one ole bit as a rite ruff ole do as all I got t say bout it, rite cheesed off I am!! I know us British love to talk about it but enough is enough!!Watching the news, 10 foot snow drifts, sheep being dug out,  people stuck in their houses without power, some people burning their furniture to keep warm.Persistent easterlies, snow, we need our jet stream back apparently it has moved too far north!!!I think thats what I heard. At least it was a bit sunny today, but still bitterly cold, went to look for the Glaucus Gull on Sunday, didnt see it though, that was supposed to be at Second Avenue Caister on the beach or inland on the fields, then went to California cliffs and did some sea watching, but in the car in the warm , this time we saw Little Gulls, it was very wild with huge rolling waves crashing against the beach.We have been really lucky in Norfolk compared to the rest of the country, a few flurries, not 10foot drifts.Definitely thinking of those poor people out there with no heating!!!

Potter Heigham footpath

Wrapping up warm against the bitter east wind , we parked up at St Nicholas church Potter Heigham, carrying on down the West side of the church we headed for the woods at the end of this path,a welcoming break from the cutting wind.Blackthorn were struggling to come into bud, something to look forward to when we eventually get Spring.Only a few birds were chattering, the rest were probably shivering in the bushes, much as we were.this path emerged from the woods and we could glance across Potter Heigham marshes , we were rewarded with great views of White Fronted Geese, diminuative against the larger Canadas and Greylag, well worth the hikein the cold.

Going to tick this walk as one of my favourites, look forward to doing it in warmer weather.Situated nearby is Hickling Nature Reserve, a large reserve with varied habitats , and sightings of Bittern, and Cranes, and also very good sightings in autumn( along a specific path) Bearded Tits.Also there are Konik ponies and Highland cattle.if you are ever in the area come and enjoy!!!

Murky murks !!

Well the murky murks are still here,but lo and behold a break in the murkiness yesterday called  for a sudden break for the countryside, or rather North Norfolk Coast to be precise, yes we went up North!!!The break in the weather ie less murky than the day before and positively balmy 2 degrees, had us scrambling for the picnic doins and flask of hot indescribable liquid,
First stop Kelling Heath, not much going on there, but wandering along the paths we traced our way eventually to the little train platform and also the wonderful view point looking over towards the sea.
Carrying on from Kelling we went to Cley an old favourite haunt being the beach, doing a little beach combing, the added attraction of lots of Brent Geese making their lovely soft little mumblings ,then back to the car and a trip to the local shop and a gi normous wedge of chocolate cake for added energy, next stop Blakeney and Morston, and a gentle walk in the mud!!! listening to Redshank and Oystercatchers, roll on Spring, and a little more warmth and longer evenings , darkness was gathering so it was time to wend our way home, looking forward to the next break in the murk!!!!

Dont feel down, Spring into action!!Your ideas!!

So what to do when you are feeling really down!!?Any ideas?Its flipping bitter outside, the wind is whipping around the extremities, you are longing for spring, hey, dont feel down, Snowdrops are peeping through the soil, Daffs are struggling through too, Spring is on its way, Take a deep breath, put those, sexy base layers on ( and a few more layers too maybe )get the wooly hat that looks like a tea cozy, and go for a lovely walk, if you happen to pass a lovely tree give it a biiiig hug, you ll feel so much better, alternatively, a bracing walk by the sea , watching those sea birds wheel and cry, following Dunlin along the beach , their little legs going 19 to the dozen making you smile, as they seem to be running along playing cant catch me with the waves!!
Watch the meaning of life things on the tv, for instance Brian Cox, Wonders of Life, sciency naturey things, a lot better than dumbing down reality tv, get  those brain cells fired up, look at our beautiful world, be glad to be alive, crikey, think i had better go and lie down in a darkened room now!!
Any thoughts and ideas on a postcard please!!!???

Big freeze at Burgh Castle!!

On Sunday 20th January,ventured out into the wild!!!Bitter Easterly wind blowing across the marshes. Trying to think where to go, decided in the end to visit our local Roman fort, a huge ancient ruin,with views overlooking marshes and mud flats, and criss crossing paths leading into sheltered reed beds.We stood high on the hill and large flocks of widgeon wheeled overhead.Two Marsh Harriers quartered over the reeds, and disturbed them, we struggled down the steep steps onto the reedy path and came out onto a little bridge overlooking the river, we went quietly so as not to disturb the feeding ducks, two Dab chicks or Little Grebes, a small group of Shoveler, doing their strange little circle dance, a Snipe, and Mallard.
Treated myself to some base layer thermal wear, t shirt and leggings to wear underneath clothes, and why oh why didn^t I put them on, note to self, PUT THEM ON!!!!next time!Been hoping just lately to get out and start doing tasks again out on The Broads, but as I have been unwell lately havent been able to, arm is feeling numb and sore, after an operation so I have to build my strength up first, so been feeling a bit stir crazy, nice to get out even though it is flippin freezing!!!

Visitors in the snow

A few more inches of snow fell today, we have been lucky so far and havent had that much.Went out and kept the bird table and feeders topped up.Filled the water bowls, and wandered down to the dyke at the end of the garden, it was so peaceful, the snow seems to deaden all sound like a big blanket of white, a few little rustles in the bushes and clumps of snow drop from the branches of my Dragon Willow above my head, I glance along the ditch, hoping for a sighting, maybe of a Water Rail, or Moorhen, searching for a morsel in the undergrowth and ice free water , but no such luck.
Recently I ve had a lovely song thrush taking up residence in my garden, taking a liking to the suet and mealworm pellets , also a Jay dropped in for a little while. I did have a sighting of a bird I couldnt recognise, small Robin size pale Grey white front, and brown grey back, not a blackcap as no cap, any ideas anyone? Had lots of long tailed tits, and a coal tit.
Hoping this weather doesnt carry on too long, feel so sorry for the tiny little birds trying to survive the harsh winds!