Sunday 05 July
I love this part of the world. It’s a home from home and a place that never stops giving. As a family we have been visiting at least once a year (but usually more) since the kids were in nappies. So, this was a leg I was really looking forward to.
We parked in Wells town and caught the bus to Burnham Deepdale (where we ended the last leg). Face masks all round and glasses steaming up whilst drinking my take-out coffee from Wells Deli.
Again, really strong winds blowing us along as we walked the raised pathway which doubles as a sea defence. Flanked either side by the most amazing natural habitats for flora and fauna.
Such a variety of birds seen in this first third of the walk. Lapwings, Curlew, Black-headed Gulls, Reed Bunting, Cormorant, Little Egret, Oystercatchers, Kestrel. Fantastic.
We passed a couple of fellas with half-filled white straw sacks over their shoulders. We asked what they were collecting in among the grassy flats. “Sam-fur”, came the reply. Samphire (Salicornia Europea) grows well on the Norfolk coast and is hand picked to add a certain goût de la mer to salads or just on it’s own. Historically, it was also known as Glasswort due to it’s use in 16-century glass production. It was, and still is, also used in soap.
The blustery conditions really stirred things up. Lapwings strained every taught muscle in their wings and tail to dance their mid-air ballet. The energy-gauge of a kestrel emptied rapidly as he faced head-long into the forty mile an hour wind. Trying to keep a steady view on the grassland below looking for mice and voles along the channel banks.
Walking onto the beach and toward Holkham Gap we crunched razorshells underfoot and had the backs of our legs sandblasted. The whispy clouds of sand drifted across each other like sidewinder snakes. As I walked over and through them, my balance was shaken, making me feel a little sea-sick.
Then, we moved into the pine woods, where the wind effect drops and the warmth of the sun becomes more obvious. We stop for food and chat nonsense and talk about other things not quite so important. Butterflies flit and spin and I watch a pair of Pied Wagtails bob and tilt with beaks overflowing with insects. Hurriedly darting to a nest nearby.
Finally, we emerge at the beach end of Beach Road and walk the final mile straight to Wells harbour and the car park where our journey began. But, just time for a pint or two of Wherry at The Globe on the Buttlands. Laid back in the sunshine, head on my rucksack, dozing. What a day.
The Bald Birder 