The temperature was sitting at a humid 22°C (feeling more like 24°C) with a brisk 13 mph northwest wind as I set out. Along the roadside, a small white butterfly danced past.

   Down at the recreation ground, a cricket match was in full swing. I paused for a quick, pleasant chat with a spectator and his lovely yellow Labrador-Springer cross. Overhead, six corvids coasted across the field in a loose, near-perfect formation.

   Reaching the cemetery road entrance, a meadow brown butterfly caught my eye in the overgrown corner. Inside the gates, a pair of wood pigeons were busy foraging on the grass verges, while a lone crow took flight into a plane tree at my approach. The garden borders were alive with movement—several small whites and two commas zooming amongst the blooms.

    Leaving the cemetery, I passed two more wood pigeons and cut through the wildflower garden to the main road, setting a course for the leisure centre. En route, a stunning peacock butterfly fluttered by, darting from place to place far too quickly for a photograph.

    Up on the leisure centre roof, a committee of nine feral pigeons lined the edge, sharing space with a single large corvid intently inspecting the guttering. Across from the care home, a lone sparrow ducked into a hawthorn shrub—though a lively chorus of invisible tweets and whistles suggested plenty of company inside. To round off the walk, a few more small whites drifted over the purple mallow beneath the pine trees.

Clean Stats

Distance: 2.6 miles

Time: 56 minutes

Google Fit: 29 heart points

Copyright ©️
Text, photographs and videos
Written by John Yeo – All rights reserved.

River Wensum Wander
   A grey but warm 23°C along the River Wensum today, with a 7 mph westerly breeze pushing the real-feel up to a balmy 25°C.
   Setting off along the riverside towpath, the wildlife immediately put on a show. A small blue butterfly danced through the bramble flowers, and an impressive pied wagtail swooped past—a rare treat to see one mid-flight rather than strutting on the turf. A pair of elegant swans sailed serenely by, contrasting sharply with the chaotic feral pigeons perched on every available structure.

   As a few small powerboats hummed along the water, I paused to photograph a family of nearly fully grown geese. Moments later, an unusual coffee-bike appeared, the vendor pedalling his large, box-shaped stall and offering a wide grin for the camera. White butterflies fluttered thickly through the riverbank wildflowers, and a parade of local dogs trotted past—first a unique Jack Russell crossbreed, followed later by a purebred pup whose owner was entirely glued to his mobile phone.

  Reaching the Lady Julian Bridge, the pigeon population exploded, undoubtedly drawn by the scraps from the nearby riverside restaurants. On the path, a massive herring gull was actively bullying the local pigeons, wielding a terrifyingly hooked beak. I ducked into the welcome, cooling shade of a row of weeping willows, watching hundreds more noisy gulls wheeling around the town centre tower blocks in the distance. Rounding the final bend, I reached the Norwich Football Club ground and snapped a quick picture of the stadium before turning back to meet Margaret, drinking in the gorgeous river panorama all over again.

Clean Stats
Distance: 2.51 miles
Duration: 54 minutes
Google Fit: 26 heart points

Copyright ©️ Text, photographs and videos Written by John Yeo – All rights reserved.