Kessingland --> southwards
km 4.343 / 4.46 speed
steps: 7006 / 120 speed
Once you walk past the sluice, its a lovely area. We saw a ringed plover and Dave saw where it obviously had its nest. Bless them, they move away from the nest and then try to attract your attention to them by tweeting at you .... lovely, I hope to start taking pics of the birds soon (I'll make sure I get batteries tomorrow).
I know its the same sea as we have here in Pakefield, but somehow it feels different in the reserve. Could it be because there are hardly any people or because the sea water feels deeper?
mags on 05.27.04 @ 08:40 PM GMT [link]
Protected species: Dogs or Swans?
Dave heard on the radio yesterday that it was being decided whether 'killer' swans should themselves be killed.
I thought swans were the protected species?
It is now the nesting period for many birds. All the signs on National Trust grounds mention that dog owners should keep their dogs under control. Additional signs have been put up to remind people that it is nesting period. Many signs have been tampered with ... the bit that mentions dogs should be kept under control!
Anyway, taking into consideration it is nesting period ... if a dog roams about freely, under no control whatsoever and then comes close to a swan's nest - its obvious to me, that the swan will attack if it feels threatened.
Apparently a swan attacked a dog then drowned it ...... I blame the dog owner, not the swan!
Shame about the dog ... but again its owner should be blamed.
mags on 05.27.04 @ 12:19 PM GMT [link]
South Cove towards Southwold
km: 4.929 / 3.72 speed
steps: 7951 / 100 speed
Time: 1.15
This walk was quite tiring ... but lovely. By the time we decided to come back (after having seen 2 broads) we could clearly see Southwold Lighthouse and the pier.
Note: Get batteries for camera and do this walk again.
We noticed several strange on the walk back. One of them was an animal in the distance - it was perhaps a HUGE dog .... but its body seemed too large for its legs. We did find what looked to be large dog pawprints in the sand.
Shortly thereafter we noticed people driving down a field !!??!! 3 cars of them. Who and what could they be doing? I think it was probably on National Trust ground, but perhaps another time when we are not so tired, it may be possible to walk along that way and find out more.
Another odd sighting, or rather finding, was to find sedge in the seawater (the tide was going out). At one time what is currently the sea, was part of the broad. How long ago? The sedge found was blackened and was triangular in shape.
At some point I have no doubt we will be visiting the library to find out more about this coastline.
We have almost walked the whole coastline from Lowestoft to within sight of Southwold ... and would like to know more of its history. We saw yet another wartime bunker in the sea .... fully covered with water and becoming visible only at low tide ....
Why are the trees dying in the hedgerows around the whole coastline .... whole areas where trees appear to be dying, for not apparent reason ...
mags on 05.25.04 @ 10:06 PM GMT [link]
Dogs .... revisited
mood: Bloody annoyed - keep away!
What is it with people around this area? Most dog owners are responsible .... but obviously not in Pakefield. What is wrong with putting a dog on a lead until you actually reach the beach?
Why don't dog owners do anything when they see their dog chasing a cat?
When owners do not even attempt to call the dog back .... make no attempt to stop possible carnage - should they be held responsible?
Thus Treacle got me into trouble again tonight (see also 15th May). Believe it or not, we are not miles from anywhere and this is still considered to be a residental area! There should be some law whereby dogs should be kept on a leash whilst in a residential or built-up area! See my story about the local sheep in Pakefield on my main site .... they too were attacked by dogs .... where were their owners??
When I saw this little rat running to catch Treacle, my instincts went into automatic pilot ...... I lowered my handbag and the rat ran into it .... whelped (more in surprise than anything I think). At least Treacle was not caught!!
Apparently I am going to be reported .... that is what she called out anyway .... so I basically told her to go ahead. By this time she had still not even bothered to try and call the dog back. She made a comment I really find strange ... she said "well it didn't get the cat did it?" .... hmmm like no - I stopped it, or rather, slowed it down somewhat.
Is there anything I can do about her calling me a stupid bitch?? She who cannot control her tamed rat and would probably not have been bothered had her rat caught the cat?
Do I sound angry? Guess what .... I am. Dave thinks she might be associated with the pub, in which case, the events of the 15th May might have some bearing on this .....
mags on 05.25.04 @ 09:11 PM GMT [link]
Dunwich revisted
km : 5.431 / 4.46
Steps: 8760 / 120 speed
Time: 1hr 18mins
Well, we revisited the Dunwich area in general (see also 24th April 04 - a snake in the grass) and took a drive to find out where Minsmere was exactly. We passed by yet another church with Roman ruins in its premises. But there is no information as yet again, we were unfortunate with the camera here. The batteries gave up.
So ... this means that we will return to the area soon - complete with new batteries.
The walk we took again is actually only 3.5 km - but seems tougher because some of the heat I suppose. A lovely walk through various types of terrain ... ie edge of wood with pine cones everywhere, then enclosed in wooded area (complete with squirrels) and another snake then along open ground which is very hot when the sun shines.
A lovely day out ... followed by steak for dinner.
Fantastic ...
mags on 05.22.04 @ 07:09 PM GMT [link]
Benacre Broad
km 4.204 / 4.46 km/hr
steps 6781 / 120 speed
Time: 1.04
Well, the distance walked tonight does not seem THAT far according to the km total above and the speed at which we walked also seems slow .... but all with good reason. We walked from South Cove past Benacre Broad and continued for some way along the coast. Walking on shingle is tough ... strange sightings though of dead crabs and a dead lobster on the shore. Seals perhaps?
The photos show our return walk back to the car. The first shows Benacre Broad and how it is only separated from the sea by a shingle bank. There is a hide here too ... many rare species breed and can be seen in this area. Bitterns and we saw many Dunlin tonight, aren't they just so cute (but too small really to take a photo of) and of course Ringed Plover oh ... and we saw little terns too.
My apologies for the size of this first picture - but its one of those panoramic ones that just HAD to be included even though its really too large.
Quite a long walk back yet .... Dave reckons this picture should be called "The End of the World"
Still not there yet ... keep walking
On the right hand side you can see a church which is built in ruins - I'll find out more about that and post pictures of the church and ruins another time. But almost back at the car now ... just up that last final hill ......
mags on 05.19.04 @ 11:11 PM GMT [
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Bluebells .....
km: 3.770 / 3.84 speed (?)
steps: 6081 / 104 speed (?)
56.49 mins
The walk tonight was really 2 different walks - we found this lane. Can you imagine our surprise at finding all these bluebells. They are the original British variety (not the Spanish ones) .... The bluebells are past their best - can you imagine if these pictures had been taken a few weeks earlier 
When you find a lane like this - its exciting just to find out what is around the next corner ....
The second part of our walk started in South Cove (near the church) leading to Benacre ... but more on that another time as I am sure we will be doing that walk again ....
My knees are still aching from yesterday .....
mags on 05.17.04 @ 10:41 PM GMT [
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Walking ....
Perhaps I should start this entry as Brigit Jones did her diary entries .... but not smoking/drink/diet related, but as according to my pedometer (re-set to 0 before starting to walk this evening):
km: 4.546
steps: 7333
speed: 113 speed & 4.21 (?? at whatever measurement those take)
time: 1hr 9mins (does not take sit / drink breaks into consideration)
But my knees are hurting .... well, aching really .... is walking really good for you?
Oh .. we drove to Kessingland, walked to the sluice, walked into the National Reserve ...... and of course back.
mags on 05.16.04 @ 07:57 PM GMT [link]
Fun on the beach
These people have got it sorted .... and they really look as though they enjoy their sport.
Quite often when walking along the promenade you will see people practicing how to manipulate these special kites on the sand. There seems to be quite a little community of people using these kites now.
Apparently, (from what I have seen) its best to practice first in the sand. This helps you to learn how to manipulate the kite and how to get the best from it.
Once you know what you are doing (I think) ... the whole setup is taken into the along with what looks (from a distance) to be a skateboard. Get the right wind, the right sea conditions and these things can take you a long distance in a really short time ..... users can be lifted from the sea and travel yards and yards in the air before landing on the sea .... the expertise comes in when you manage to sail again
This looks like a great sport if you are young and fit ... and its fun to watch too ....
This second picture looks towards Kessingland.
mags on 05.15.04 @ 08:45 PM GMT [link]
