We are still in Norfolk enjoying a break and dodging some very changeable weather. For those readers from overseas let me explain that Norfolk is one of the larger counties of England. Look at a map of the U.K. and Norfolk is the bulge on the east coast, just below the Wash that juts out into the North Sea.
Most people describe Norfolk as flat county and apart from a narrow ‘bumpy’ strip just inland from the coast (of which there will be more in another post) it very much is flat. On the inland side it is the a country known as the Fens, once very much underwater, now a rich arable fruit, vegetable and cereal farming region…one of the ‘Bread Baskets’ of England.
To the North and East we have the coast, a coast that over the centuries has suffered from the ravages of the winds and the sea. The sea and winds have continually eaten into the land mass, eroding parts but, sinking villages collapsing cliffs and depositing the stones, sand and silt further along the coast which over time has changed the local landscape and creating Salt Marshes.
Morston Creek
There are several villages lost forever but others have just had to adapt. Take the villages of Morston, Blakeney and Cley, once busy harbours on the coast. But all that has changed. The Salt Marshes created by these silt deposits have chocked harbours leaving only muddy channels the now wind through the Marshes seeking the sea. Gone are the trading ships but enter the weekend and holiday yachtsmen
It is also a great new habitat for wildfowl and birds as the marshes create safe nesting areas whilst at low tides the muddy estuaries and channels are vital food store.
So here are a few images of Salt Marshes in this small part of the Norfolk Coast….
It can be no surprise that the Marshes are a haunt for Water Colour Artist as well as Photographers and Bird Watchers in equal numbers. Perhaps because it is also known as the land of big skies and at times it does seem to be all sky, be it kind and blue or harsh and grey. I am not artist but here is my attempt at illustrating the broad mud flats, salt marsh and of course the sky…..
Low watermark at Morston Creek
And finally a sunset of sorts for mid summers day……
Blakeney Harbour as Dusk settles.
P.S.
Mobile phone and internet signals are to say the least hit and miss. So apologies for late postings and also apologies to those who I follow for not ‘visiting’….I will catch up with you all. Perhaps the bad communication service is why there are more CB Radio users both here in Norfolk and Suffolk than anywhere else in the U.K.
22nd June
© David Oakes 2013
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 