Horsey

Monday December 27 

Maybe Horsey wasn't such a good idea. Even the back lanes to Sea Palling were busy with cars, and walkers plus dogs. The car parks at Palling beach were nearly full. The seal watching hordes at Horsey corner were out in force, even the overflow car park field was full, a further stream of cars turning in from the south.

With so much traffic about, it wasn't possible to stop and scan the fields until we got to the layby south of Horsey Mill. A few distant Pinkfeet, a shadow of the numbers usually seen in these fields in December. Peering hopefully through the murk and fine drizzle, a Cattle Egret rose from a hidden site, soon disappearing over the top of the bank.

A short stop at the Sea Palling/Ingham swan fields enabled a quick and inaccurate count of 17 Bewick Swans and a couple of Whoopers amongst the resident Mute Swans.

Further along, 14 Egyptian Geese, already paired up, kept a wary eye on us as they slowly but determinedly strode away.

 

They are well established breeders in Norfolk, yet these geese still breed early in the year, as they do in their native North Africa.

We enjoyed the outing, despite the conditions. It was good to be out and about.

Tuesday Dec 28

Pam has been dealing with the inevitable extra vegetables and cosumables left over from Christmas. I've prepared the filling for the turkey, ham and almond pie I shall finish tomorrow. 

The turkey and vegetable soup is simmering gently, waiting for the potatoes and leeks to be added later. 

I couldn't resist taking a photo of Pam in her apron, at the bottom of the garden, digging the leeks.