At Last

 Tuesday February 18

Four weeks ago, to the day, I fell over at N S. damaging my right ankle ligaments and probably breaking my big toe. Yesterday, I was able to wear normal socks for the first time and to put on soft shoes. The first steps to walking put to the car this afternoon for my first outing this month. 

Winterton seemed like  a good destination, with the promise of some birds not too far away from home. Pam decided to go via the sea at Walcott. I saw a male Bullfinch in a treetop en route to a very car and people-crowded seafront. Half term! Arriving in Happisburgh we found the dreaded Road Closed notices plus diversions. The pipe-laying lot are creating havoc around north east Norfolk. Our village road is closed again too. We had to re-trace our steps to Grub Street, where a very narrow and circuitous route took us back to Lessingham, beyond the closure.We did get a field scattered with Fieldfare as a result of the diversion.

Apart from Mute Swans, Carrion Crows, Starlings and Jackdaws, the road to Winterton was free of birds. As was the sea when we got there. The only photo opportunity i had was a Muntjac. I was focussing my camera when my phone rang. It announced 'Doctor' so I had to answer. The District Nurse - due last Thursday - had called to do an ECG and no-one was in. Typical. Do they never phone first?

The return journey was better. Egyptian Geese at Somerton and a very large flock of distant grey geese at Horsey. I scoped the well spread birds and found two Barnacles amongst the Pinkfeet, Pam was able to pick one out  too, using her bins. 

Lovely to be out birding, especially on such a beautiful day. A cloudless blue sky with a light breeze. Still very cold, the car thermometer pinged 3C on the way home.

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