Tuesday 17th September 2024 - They're Back, Rolls Royce's, Visitor and a Painted Lady

A skein of geese passed overhead, while we were walking along the promenade on Saturday morning.  They looked to be pink foots but as the sea was quite noisy, I couldn’t hear them chattering so I decided to check the sighting out with a village bird watcher.  He just happened to be out at the same time as us, and yes, they were pink foots - they’re back from spending summer further north.  Another check, this time back in last year’s blogs, and the first time we saw them was 14th September – what a coincidence.  Since then, we have seen more skeins in the morning and I’ve heard them early evening.

We spotted a vintage Rolls Royce parked outside the front of the Sea Marge after which we were told there were more in the car park at the rear of the hotel.  We took a look the following morning, before cars and owners headed off out for the day, and saw about a dozen of various ages; all vintage or veteran.  I took a couple of photos, one of which I have included below.  In the past we have seen a selection of Alvis cars in the Sea Marge’s car park.  To my mind the Alvis’s have the edge, as far as design and character are concerned.

On Saturday afternoon, friends of a villager who recently passed away, gathered in the sports field for afternoon tea and recollections.  I was only able to stay for a short while as we had a visitor from Canada coming for a catch-up and then in the evening, a BBQ.  Having spent her childhood growing up in the village, our visitor subsequently relocated to Canada but she still likes to visit from time to time and keep in touch with what goes on, here and in Cromer.  Thanks to Covid, visits haven’t been as often as she would like.  After a chat at our home and with lots of people to see during her stay, it was soon time for her to leave us. 

I had pretty well given up on seeing a painted lady butterfly this year but walking in the village the other afternoon, I spotted one resting on a buddleia bush.  I don’t imagine it will be too long before it starts its journey to Africa.  After such a poor year for butterflies and insects in general, this quite made my day.  We will now be leaving the shed door open during the day in case, as in an earlier year, red admirals find a suitable corner in which to hibernate.