A Coastal Stroll: January 30th, 2026
The day began with a crisp, biting chill, a ‘feels like’ temperature colder than the thermometer suggested, thanks to a fresh southeast breeze and a persistent drizzle. Not perfect weather, perhaps, for a wild nature walk. Margaret dropped me off at the gates to the golf club.

Part 1: The Golf Course
A group of about ten assorted birds, mostly pigeons, were gathered on a familiar ‘bird-friendly’ rooftop, waiting for a feed.
Meanwhile, on the golf course grass, a pair of herring gulls and several jackdaws were engaged in their own breakfast hunt. ‘Early bird gets the worm,’ I thought.
The drizzle, however, decided to pick up, adding a misty blur to my spectacles and the surrounding landscape.

Part 2: Encounters on the Green
The path ahead revealed a couple walking a very energetic Staffordshire Bull Terrier. He was a bundle of muscle and enthusiasm, belying his senior status.
‘He may act lively, but he’s thirteen years old,’ the lady remarked. I suppose we could all take a leaf out of his book—age is just a number when there are so many interesting things in life.

Part 3: The Bleak Seaside Prospect
Reaching the coastal entrance, the full force of the wind hit. The sky was a heavy, unrelenting grey, and the tide had retreated far out, leaving a vast, damp expanse of sand and rock. A wide-open stretch of beach where gulls were busy, ‘harvesting’ the sea’s leftovers. It was beautiful in its bleakness, but a ‘gloves-on’ kind of moment. My hands were frozen within minutes of taking my mobile phone camera out.

Part 4: Sentinels of the Cliff
Along the clifftop path, nature provided some striking scenes.
A magpie was perched at the very summit of a tree clinging to the cliffside.
The jagged, perilous cliffs were looming. A sharp reminder of the power of the North Sea below.

Part 5: Avian behaviour on the Promenade
The promenade was almost deserted, save for two herring gulls and two jackdaws lined up on a wall. Perhaps they were waiting for some passers-by eating chips.

Part 6: Splashes of Winter Colour
The walk concluded with some surprising vibrant colours against the grey winter sky.
Thick, splendid Gorse bushes were in full yellow flower, with a pair of herring gulls on the green behind them.: A lovely ‘splash of blue’ near the perimeter fence revealed a Greater Periwinkle in full flower.

Summary of my walk.
Distance: I walked 1.88 miles of wind-swept Norfolk.
My spectacles were slightly obscured, my hands were frozen, but l was
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Copyright ©️ Text, photographs and videos Written by John Yeo – All rights reserved.

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