Lloyd's Trip into Norfolk.

Lloyd by the Mill Bridge.

My son, Lloyd, is staying with me. Today, my wife, Carole and I decided to go for a drive along the coastal road towards Hunstanton and Wells Next the Sea. The last time we did this, it was with my second son Paul. This time, Lloyd decided to come along and see for himself.

It was a hot day and we managed to get in a few kind sightings of birds of Prey. I always take my camera. We, of course, had to stop at cafes for coffee and baguettes etc. It was a pleasant outing and I think Lloyd enjoyed the tranquillity of the Norfolk countryside.

On the way back he wanted to stop by the old mill where a small stream flows. There are trout in the river and he made a note of such for a special occasion when he next ventures into Norfolk County.

The Common Buzzard Observed Then Flew Away.

Showing Paul the grounds at Holkham Hall, where the Earl of Leicester lives was something to behold. The grounds were magnificent and there was a big herd of deer grazing on the park land. We saw a Common Buzzard fly over us and the raptor knew we were observing it. It circled and then flew off towards a line of trees.

We also saw a barn owl swoop down across the lake. As my son, Paul comes from the southern outskirts of London, he was rather taken by the open space and the grand stately home of Holkham Hall.

As we turned and began to walk across the parkland back towards the main gates, a Barn Owl flew over the lake. It was so quick that most of the shots were not too good. However, one was enough.

Next came the deer herd and Paul began to film on his mobile phone. I think it was for his daughter Leah. She is at school and was unable to come up to the Fenland on this occasion.

The Greedy Little Sandpipers of Cromer.

Little Sandpiper

As we wandered around the shops of Cromer, the little seaside town was full of pedestrians on this fine winter day. There was no strong wind from the North Sea and the day was bright and mild. We went to a coffee shop and took some refreshment. Then we ambled down the lane towards the cliff top overlooking the stony beach area. There was a small pier and as we walked along the promenade, a group of Sandpipers landed in front of us. It was obvious they were looking for some food. My wife through some of the malt biscuit onto the road and the little Sandpipers needed no second invitation.

It was a grand little day out. One of those mornings when I got up and said to Carole, "Let's go for a drive. I can't be sitting in all day."

On the way back we bought some crayfish and set off along the coastal road passing through many picturesque little villages.

The Family Heydon of Baconsthorpe Castle

Today was a fine clear blue winter day. Very mild for February. My wife and I decided to get out for a drive. We decided upon a trip to Cromer in Norfolk. It is not far from where we live in the Fenlands. Along the way, we passed through Sandringham and made a note that we would need to visit the stately home one day in spring or summer. There were various nature reserves tempting me with my camera, but we held true until we passed Fakenham. At this point, there was a little congestion ahead and a sign pointing to a small castle along a country lane turn off. It led to a village called Baconsthorpe. Also, there was a Baconsthorpe castle. Carole and I decided to investigate.

The castle remains were upon some farmland and we found ourselves driving along a muddy old pathway passed a farmhouse in the fields and various barns. Ahead, in the distance, we could see what looked like a dilapidated stone house. As we got nearer and drove into the gravel yard, I realised the grand old building was no more than an elaborate gatehouse. At least it used to be. There was a picture on a mount outside the pathway leading to the gatehouse. Beyond this was the dilapidated castle of Baconsthorpe with a surrounding moat.

It had been built by a successful wool merchant family called Heydon. This family became successful during the time when John Heydon was head of the wool merchant family group. They were of humble beginnings but had supported various nobles during the Wars of the Roses. In doing so, John Heydon had amassed considerable wealth and decided that his family would have their own castle. The construction of which began around 1450. John Heydon died in 1479.

The fortunes of the Heydon family lasted 200 years when their wealth decreased and debts began to grow. The castle was literally dismantled in stages as the stones were sold off to building merchants to pay off debts. Eventually, all that remained of the castle was just the broken outer wall and grand entrance. The family retired to the gate house and people continued to use the former servant’s house until 1920 when one of the two towers collapsed. From then on castle Baconsthorpe was deserted – echoes of a bygone family who climbed to the peak and declined over the centuries. Now it is just a relic of a former glory. 

Nooks and Crannies of Downham Market.

Downham Market is full of odd little passageways and courtyards. They always look inviting and I can't resist going down them. I enjoy having a wander around the town. It is upon a hill and the little town centre looks as though it is captured in time. We were going to buy a house here when moving up from Essex. However, we settled upon the notion of moving to March in the end.

We still venture to Downham every now and then. Sometimes we do our grocery shopping there. It all makes for a nice afternoon out.

Marsh Harriers and Ice Cream

I was off of work today - the second day of my four days rest cycle. The weather was glorious so my wife and I decided to drive out to Hunstanton in Norfolk. My youngest son Ryan came along too as he has been staying for a couple of weeks. There were a few little traffic jams along the way, but once there we went to the little town centre in Hunstanton for coffee and pastries. Along the grass cliff top, we looked out to sea. I took the odd photo here and there.

After the coffee, we went back to the car and decided upon Wells Next the Sea. Another seaside town we wanted Ryan to see. I could not resist a minor diversion to the bird hides of Holkham Hall. I always like to see if I can get a few snaps of the Marsh Harriers.

Inside the bird hide were three men bird watching. They were very sociable and were talking of buzzards far off by a church spire where Holkham Hall Estate is - beyond a line of trees. It was quite far and on the other side of the approach road, we had travelled by car, beyond the marshland.   

I asked if anyone had seen Marsh Harriers and they replied they had not up to the present. I sat down and looked out with my camera as a Marsh Harrier suddenly flew low over the marsh. I called their attention to this and we all four eagerly looked through our various scopes.

I was clicking away with the 70 - 300mm Nikon lens. One of the bird watchers commented that the lens must be good. I had to reply that I never usually got good shots, but was able to enhance on my computer to get one or two shots of reasonable worth. and put them on my blog called Retro Brit. One man wrote it down. So I hope he gets a look at this.

I got about 60 - 70 shots of the Marsh Harrier and then bade the three bird watchers farewell. From here my wife, Carole, my son Ryan and I went to Well Next the Sea for an ice cream. There is a shop there that does a variety of flavours. We walked around the small quayside and then went back to the car and made our way home. All in all, a nice beautiful day out.

The shots were, of course, at some distance. However, there are a few images that are clear.

Courting Marsh Harriers (Birds of Prey)

During a visit to Holkham Hall, we decided to take a quick look around the wildlife area by the coast (Holkham Beach.) The nature reserve is on the opposite side of the country road from Holkham village and the grounds to Holkham Hall. It had been a pleasant morning drive along the coastal road. The day was fine but blustery.

We entered Holkham village and turned towards the direction of the beach. This was through a gateway and along a rough road towards a line of trees where we found a parking spot and paid £3 for two hours. 

Leaving the car, we ambled along a bridal path with woodland obscuring the vast stretch of sandy beach. This was fortunate because it was a barrier against the wind. The trees on the rise sheltered us well. On the other side of the path was a marshy fen. This separated us from the country road we had turned off of. Gradually the walkway pulled further away from the distant country road from where we had driven to Holkham. It was these lake scattered marshlands towards Holkham that were of particular interest to me. I had my camera with me and was searching for birds of prey. I would not be disappointed. The blue sky was, by and large, clear with odd scattered clouds and the Marsh Harriers were out in numbers. It was a Marsh Harrier’s paradise.

I saw four in two pairs and think they were going through some sort of courtship. I took many shots as the birds twisted and circled in the thermals. They were still at a distance but the sight of them was grand.