http://www.southwold-northroad.com en-gb southwold-northroad.com 2012-5-14T00:00:00Z southwold-northroad.com http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#118224 I have a couple more old postcards. Any idea of dates 2012-5-14 11:43:04 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#118223 The RSPB had a stand at the boating lake over the weekend. I spoke to the RSPB rep and he said that they had seen 27 different species since they had been at the boating lake and walked along the marsh wall to Mights Bridge. He told me that he heard what he thought was a nightingale and a blackcap. A neighbour has heard the cuckoo from North Road towards Reydon but I have not yet. The swifts have been back for a few days. The reed bunting has been back on the fat balls. 2012-5-14 10:53:05 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#118031 I was surprised to see a hole appear in the North Road. It is about a foot across and 2 feet deep. I expect it is a result of the amazing amount of rain we have had recently. 2012-5-10 10:51:51 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#117891 The avocets were back at the boating lake and the marsh harrier was being mobbed by crows yesterday. I didnt expect to see a reed bunting on the fat balls. There was rain on the window when I took this hence the blurred image. 2012-5-8 11:52:35 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#117780 Here is an interesting postcard of the boating lake from 1948. You can see the small sailing boats that were used on the lake. 2012-5-6 13:45:10 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#117730 Nick Wood kindly sent me this image from the 1953 floods. The petrol pumps are in the garage that was on Reydon Corner almost opposite the Lowestoft Road. 2012-5-5 13:18:27 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#117554 I havent seen a linnet on the marsh before I remember seeing one many years ago down near the Bailey Bridge. 2012-5-2 15:50:06 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#117519 THV Galatea was moored off shore this morning. Click on image to find out more about her. 2012-5-2 08:55:29 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#117366 Gulls dont like owls 2012-4-30 08:31:08 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#117324 The owl has been out hunting. The past 24 hours has been dreadful with high winds and driving rain. 2012-4-29 15:55:24 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#117262 John Hutton contacted me about the pictures of the Spitfire and told me that it was based in Duxford this prompted me to try and find out more about it on the internet. I found thisBuilt as an LF.IXc at Castle Bromwich ML407 was delivered to 33 MU on April 23rd 1944 and ferried to 485 Sqn RNZAF on April 29th. On December 28th 1944 it was reassigned to 145 Wing of 2nd TAF but on January 4th 1945 it joined 341 Alsace Sqn a free French unit in 131 Wing. Subsequent units were 308 Sqn 349 Sqn 485 Sqn 345 Sqn and 332 Sqn. After passing to 151 Recovery Unit in Belgium on April 26th 1945 ML407 returned to the UK and went into store on September 27th that year. Sold to Vickers on July 19th 1950 it was converted to a T9 trainer as G15175 and then joined the Irish Air Corps as IAC 162 on June 5th 1951. In 1960 it was retired and on March 4 1968 it was offered for sale and sold to N.A.W Samuelson who sold it to Sir W.J.D Roberts in April 1970. In August 1979 it became the pr... 2012-4-28 08:38:50 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#117210 It is good to see an increase in the number of thrushes and also that they are finding snails in the garden the paving in the front garden appears to be a good anvil for them. 2012-4-27 11:03:31 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#116904 Busy day today I also saw the goslings for the first time they are more difficult to photograph. 2012-4-22 17:26:47 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#116902 Spitfire over Southwold. Click below for more images no trickery with the pictures it was upside down and also pointing straight down 2012-4-22 17:20:11 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#116892 I reported about vandalism in the garden the plant is fighting backThe tulips are looking good at the moment. 2012-4-22 14:49:18 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#116880 The Little Egret has been around quite a lot I have not yet seen any swallows. Judging from the trees in the garden everything is later this year maybe because of the very dry conditions that we have had until recently. Some birds are easy to photograph. 2012-4-22 10:10:57 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#116794 The Barn Owl is frequently hunting and there are Avocets on the boating lake. A neighbour has seen the first swallow but I have not yet. A Little Egret has been in the fields and the first Warblers are chirping in the reeds. Today the beach huts went back on the promenade. 2012-4-20 15:09:00 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#116490 Vandals come to North Road. Most of my primrose flowers have been stripped off their stems and so has a related ornamental flower with a yellow centre. 2012-4-15 13:57:18 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#116326 I found this postcard recently postmarked 1907. Michael told me that in the early 1940s the bathing machines were put on the golf course alongside Blyth Road to prevent enemy aircraft landing on the fairway. A higher definition image and the reverse side of the card can be seen by clicking on the image. 2012-4-12 11:29:07 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#116264 Michael West kindly lent me some old postcards. Click on image below for more. 2012-4-11 15:24:12 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#116196 I walked up the beach this morning and saw lots of sand martins and skylarks. There were also a pair of harriers displaying over the reed beds up at Easton Broad. Click on image below for more photos. 2012-4-10 13:44:18 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#115985 I found a couple of interesting postcards the coloured one of Southwold beach is dated 1910. I am not sure when the aerial photograph was taken but it looks quite early any ideas 2012-4-6 17:22:06 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#115810 Bird on a wire. Click for more images some birds are more amenable to be photographed than others. 2012-4-3 16:34:52 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#115685 The owl had a successful hunt click on image below for more pictures of the owl and also a walk round Dunwich Heath with some views of a marsh harrier. 2012-4-1 11:09:03 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#115681 It has been good to see the pair of oystercatchers which are in the fields regularly. The kestrel has also been hovering over the reeds. Also after a long wait the barn owl has appeared early morning and late evening. It has not come close enough to get a good picture yet. 2012-4-1 08:20:44 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#114040 The witch hazel has been particularly colourful this year. I remember that when I was at infant school an extract from it was used to treat bruises. 2012-3-7 08:38:55 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#113983 Yesterday there was 24 hours of rain and about an inch fell. Even the highland cattle looked disgruntled. I saw this interesting postcard on ebay any idea where in Reydon it was taken 2012-3-6 10:27:10 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#113813 Last year the cattle appeared in the fields in April. This year they are much earlier but what a surprise A long way from home where are the nearest highlands 2012-3-4 09:17:32 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#112126 Waves of geese have arrived on the fields opposite largely Barnacle but some Brent and four Red Breasted. A neighbour in North Road kindly asked me to see the Fieldfare in his garden feeding on crab apples. There are some more images by clicking on the shot below. 2012-2-9 12:23:10 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#111907 A few years ago thrushes were commonplace along North Road and the front door step was used as an anvil. I was pleased to see this one in the garden today but it looks very young to me. Click on the image for more shots. 2012-2-6 13:46:02 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#111905 A large number of Barnacle Geese have been accompanied by 4 Red Breasted and about a dozen Brent. The cold weather has also seen the return of a number of Lapwing. Temporary visitors to North Road include.and also his bigger brother round the corner in Marlborough Road. Click on the lower snowman for more wintry scenes. 2012-2-6 13:26:43 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#111805 The scenes this morning were more like the Arctic. Even though I braved the elements there were no Sunday papers to be had. Click below for more images the strong wind had blown the snow along the promenade into 3 ft drifts. 2012-2-5 09:01:44 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#111086 I found an interesting site for old mapshttpwww.visionofbritain.org.ukmapsHere is part of the first Ordnance Survey map 1837 2012-1-24 15:43:14 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#111084 There were a couple of dozen Gadwall on the boating lake yesterday two pairs of Shoveller and a pair of Shelduck. Nick Wood kindly gave me an image of a different kind of flier. 2012-1-24 15:28:33 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#110539 2012-1-17 10:29:34 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#110528 The temperature dipped well below zero over night. Long tailed tits have been in and out of the garden again. Still no sign of waxwings but I was told that there have been 40 or so in Reydon. The beach levels are very low again. The clear skies have meant that the sunrises have been good click below for more pictures. 2012-1-17 08:16:37 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#110367 There are no bulbs out in the garden yet but on route to Wrentham yesterday I did see some daffodils. Bumble bees are around and long tailed tits have been in and out of the garden. I normally see the turnstones on the beach but they have been feeding on the cliff top as well. 2012-1-14 13:11:50 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#109678 The Germania has gone but there were a couple of other boats this morning presumably waiting to get into Felixstowe which was closed yesterday because of the high winds. I has an email from one of the website readers with a request. If anyone knows of any pictures and lets me know I will put them on the site. His request wasAmong the many postcards recording the life of the Southwold scene I have never seen one of a wherry in full sail on its way to Southwold. A picture of a wherry is to be found on the Wenhaston Archive site but its waiting at a lock with the sail down. I think they also feature in some of the old harbour scenes. I spent my boyhood beside the river at Wenhaston and heard tales from the old folk of wherries and the old railway and Ive always seen in my minds eye the sails sticking up in the marshes as they still do on the broads. 2012-1-4 13:00:12 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#109607 It has been very windy with torrential rain. There are still cargo ships anchored off the coast with the Germania being the closest. 2012-1-3 15:52:51 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#109446 Happy New Year. There have been several cargo boats anchored off the coast the closest is the Germania. The recent rain has added more to the boating lake levels. Around 20 curlew flew over yesterday. Last night the sky was very clear with good views of the moon and Jupiter. What was most surprising was the night time temperature despite the very clear skies it was over 11C. 2012-1-1 09:41:35 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#109264 Half a dozen brent geese with the barnacles this morning. A very grey drizzly start to the day. Brightened up a bit later and the brent disappeared but 4 red breasted geese took their place. 2011-12-28 09:15:11 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#109152 Four red breasted geese this morning with the barnacle geese. The crab apples have still not attracted any waxwings and the supply is gradually being diminished by the blackbirds. 2011-12-24 09:50:19 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#109129 I was surprised to see this little creature out and about in the garden last night. 2011-12-23 13:16:20 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#108834 A cold wet and windy day but the inclement weather has brought with it half a dozen teal and four red breasted geese. 2011-12-16 13:34:54 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#108634 It was a very stormy night with driving rain. This morning there was a superb rainbow over the fields. Click below for more pictures. 2011-12-13 08:52:24 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#107374 Joy West kindly lent me some photos that she took in April 1997 when the Environment agency opened up some waterways in the marshes to encourage wildlife. There are three more photos if you click below. 2011-11-23 10:25:37 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#107290 I only recently learnt of the sad news that Geordie of North Road passed away. I remember him from when my parents first bought the house in 1969 and what a character he was then and since. He knew the fields and marshes like the back of his hand and he had many tales to tell about them some scandalous......I will miss seeing him wheel his fishing gear past the house and the lingering smell of the perfumed tobacco. 2011-11-22 11:38:06 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#107224 Two years ago I ran in the Adnams 10k race once was enough for me.......This year the race was run in superb sunny conditions. Click below for more images. 2011-11-21 11:17:37 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#105532 Hilary Huckstep kindly sent me the images of this postcard from Easton Bavents. 2011-10-27 16:12:35 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#105507 It looked very grey first thing this morning but just before sunrise the sky over the sea was spectacular. Click below for more images. 2011-10-27 11:33:04 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#105465 I found this postcard which was posted in 1959 but it must have been taken much earlier than that. 2011-10-26 17:10:35 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#105259 Last week I went to Benacre and was surprised to see eleven Egyptian geese in a field. There were also some silver pheasant. The turnstones are still on the beach darting between the foam which has been created as a result of the strong winds. Yesterday The Suffolk Kite Fliers had a display at the boating lake click below for more images. 2011-10-24 08:53:56 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#104533 Two brent geese have been around the model yacht pond over the past days. 2011-10-13 07:52:08 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#104457 The turnstone was on the sand this morning but it was very grey and drizzly. No golden sky today but I did find some gold and the water droplets would not have been there without the drizzle. 2011-10-12 07:52:35 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#104389 The last couple of days have been very windy but quite mild. The sky was golden this morning as you can see when I captured a fisherman on the pier. 2011-10-11 11:45:04 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#104339 The turnstones have returned from their summer holiday and were on the rocks today. 2011-10-10 17:28:47 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#103950 There are two red breasted geese in with the barnacles the first time for a while that they have been here. 2011-10-5 13:08:06 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#103944 Hundreds of barnacle geese have appeared on the fields opposite. A neighbour told me had recently seen a seal off the coast and Bill Eborn sent me an email saying that there were a pair of dolphins recently off Easton Bavents. The seal below was in the North Sea but off North Norfolk. More pictures from North Norfolk can be seen by clicking on the picture below. 2011-10-5 11:51:07 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#103518 There were two very large toads in the pond yesterday together with the resident frog. The damp mornings have brought out lots of slugs and banded snails. The mist was again very spectacular in the rising sun. I have added a few more pictures today. Click below for yesterdays and todays. 2011-9-29 08:34:13 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#103431 It was a beautiful autumn morning with the sun clearing the early mist. Click on image below for more photographs. 2011-9-28 08:35:41 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#103354 The little egret looked very white when contrasted with the filed of rooks yesterday. It is the start of the season of mists. 2011-9-27 09:31:00 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#103229 I havent seen the grass snake for some time now but it did not catch all the frogs as one was by the pond today. 2011-9-25 16:14:02 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#102682 Beach art on the sea wall. 2011-9-17 14:52:29 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#102681 A couple of little egrets have been around. The largest bird yesterday in the locality was the air ambulance which landed in a field just to the north of North Road. Todays press said that the builder involved in the accident was discharged from hospital. The helicopter did spook the geese. I forgot to upload some pictures from the regatta in August click on the image below for more pictures. 2011-9-17 14:38:04 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#102614 The canada geese are back today with one or two barnacle geese. A hitherto unknown fossil was seen on the promenade. 2011-9-16 09:27:55 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#102338 This weekend was the Reydon Scarecrow Trail. I think I found most of them. Click on image below for more. 2011-9-12 07:44:54 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#102066 The final Barett Jenkins book is about Ghost Stories Smuggling Stories and Poems connected with Southwold. Click on image below for the PDF. 2011-9-7 17:02:41 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#102065 Barrett Jenkins diary Ann Thorntons printers proof copy can be downloaded below. Click on image. 2011-9-7 17:00:23 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#102031 Barrett Jenkins first book was about the Southwold Railway. Click on image below for a PDF. 2011-9-7 09:37:30 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#101986 Barrett Jenkins second book A visit to Southwold can now be downloaded as a PDF. Click on image below. 2011-9-6 17:40:07 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#101939 Ann Thornton has kindly agreed for me to copy more of her fathers books. The photographic collection can be downloaded as a PDF 12MB on the image below. 2011-9-6 10:35:58 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#101699 I came back on the train yesterday and passed through Thetford forest. The heather looked spectacular so this morning I went down to Dunwich. Not many birds about but there were some deer in the distance. Click here to see the photos. There are far fewer swallows around although one or two were by Gun Hill this morning. 2011-9-3 12:17:08 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#101420 In the past I have written about bats. This year I have seen very few. Bill Eborn a reader of my piece in The Organ sent me some comments about bats in Southwold. He wrote Following that mention I took my bat detector down to the boating lake at dusk but had no luck in hearing any bats.This year my wife and I both saw a fairly large single bat from our veranda in North Parade and just after 9 pm on both 10th and 11th August heard the distinctive click of a bat via the bat detector. This was unusual in that it was at 15.5 kHz which is much lower than any bats in my reference books. I contacted the Bat Conservation Trust who having ruled out a bat blown off course from mainland Europe concluded that it was most likely a Noctule bat using echolocation at a lower frequency than normal. 2011-8-30 07:05:38 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#101376 The weather in August has not been good. I have not see any swifts for a couple of weeks and there were very few swallows around this morning. However someone on the beach appeared happy. 2011-8-29 11:43:57 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#100942 Ann Thornton kindly gave me permission to copy her fathers book Reminisces of Southwold during the Two World Wars. Ann would like to have any comments about the book.Click on the image below for a PDF 12MB. 2011-8-22 10:17:59 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#100588 John Verity kindly sent me a 1945 aerial image of Easton Bavents which is on Google Earth 2011-8-16 14:55:21 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#100528 I have had a question from one of the visitors to the website. Any ideasI wonder if you could possibly assist me in a little of my local history. According to one of your local magazines the paddle tug Pendennis was moved to Southwold from my village of Sutton Bridge around 1910 to tow boats in and out of Southwold harbour. Do you have any information of this 2011-8-15 19:02:19 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#98770 There were lots of swallows round the beach this morning and warblers can still be heard in the reedbeds. Railings have appeared on top of the sea wall Health and Safety gone mad. I used to enjoy walking north along the top of the sea wall with the distant view of Covehithe. This is now largely obscured by the railings. I have often commented that the beach used to be much higher. When the groynes were not repaired and now replaced by much shorter ones the height has dropped considerably. It would have been better to put in longer groynes than cap the seawall with railings. 2011-7-20 08:34:05 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#98462 The grass snake appears to be a regular visitor to the pond and it is amazing how well it can swim. I met Stephen Curtis recently and he told me about the holidays that he used to spend at Easton Bavents in a house called Windyridge. He remembers a group of cottages that were parallel to the cliff. If anyone has a map showing them or old photographs of them I would like to put them on the website. 2011-7-16 08:31:31 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#98405 2011-7-15 11:24:08 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#98040 The grass snake has been back. Perhaps that is why the frogs have disappeared. A hummingbird moth was in the garden a couple of days ago and the damsel flies are constantly present. 2011-7-10 08:32:29 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#97920 2011-7-8 08:34:04 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#96983 I have seen some strange flotsam and jetsam but this is a first. 2011-6-24 13:06:30 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#96692 I like the idea of a garden that attracts wildlife but I am not sure that I appreciate snakes. 2011-6-20 19:50:33 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#95587 David Horne has kindly given me some records concerning Easton Bavents. One is his transcription of a document in Lambeth Palace library. Click here to view.The second is from Lowestoft Record Office. Click here to view.I heard a cuckoo again down towards the Bailey Bridge but the North Road cuckoo is still not in evidence. The boating lake has all but dried out and this morning a rabbit was running across it. 2011-6-6 11:59:32 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#94941 I heard the cuckoo for the first time this year. One was at the south end of the golf course. A neighbour also said that he had heard one this morning towards the Bavents. The avocets and orchids continue to be photogenic. Click here for more. 2011-5-28 17:17:24 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#94610 Other visitors to the beach. 2011-5-23 20:15:53 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#94372 Plenty of sightings of the harrier today and the orchids are looking spectacular. Click for more shots. 2011-5-20 17:06:46 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#94144 Rather a grey day today but still lots of avocets on the boating lake. I took lots of images some better than others. Click on the one below for more. 2011-5-17 16:08:08 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#94027 I have just received an email from Paul Cheall who has sent an extract from his fathers war diaries website www.fightingthrough.co.uk which are about to be published. His father was stationed at Southwold for a brief period in the lead up to DDay. The diaries quote During the third week of January 1944 we packed up once again. It was to be Southwold in Suffolk this time right on the coast and we were billeted in requisitioned private hotels on the edge of the small town overlooking the green. Almost all the time we were short of money and a visit to the pub for a drink was a real night out. Still Southwold was fine. At this time we were lucky enough to have a show put on for us by Cyril Fletcher at the Pier Theatre. I was still cooking at Southwold and made my pal a wedding cake there.But we had no sooner settled in than all the new stores and equipment we had received at Riddlesworth so recently were withdrawn and everything was replaced but it was not our job to wonder why just to d... 2011-5-16 11:19:31 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#93917 I havent seen an avocet chase off a black headed gull before. Click on picture for more. 2011-5-14 17:12:24 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#93897 A pair of avocets appeared on the boating lake a couple of days ago but it will not be long before there is no water in it. Also there were two little egrets yesterday evening they have not been around for a while. A mint moth has been in the garden but not on the mint 2011-5-14 10:22:49 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#93761 The orchids have appeared early this year. 2011-5-12 13:12:38 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#93759 The swifts have been around for a few days and also a pair of avocet on the boating lake which is increasingly drying out. The marsh harrier also makes a regular visit. The greylag have also bred successfully this year. 2011-5-12 13:09:05 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#93517 I cycled up to Easton Bavents this morning and took some photos click on the image below to see the rest. 2011-5-9 15:02:03 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#92805 2011-4-30 14:34:19 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#92803 Very cold east wind today but I did see a dozen or so godwit on the boating lake. They were around last summer until it totally dried out. Still no sign of swifts or the cuckoo. There must be a Southwold royal connection. The planes usually appear over Southwold before making their way to Buckingham Palace. These were overhead yesterday lunchtime before the fly past. 2011-4-30 13:39:28 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#92666 This picture of frogs in the pond reminds me of stargazy pie. 2011-4-28 08:46:00 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#92665 The cow parsley is well in flower as can be made out on the webcam. A toad was in the pond yesterday together with several frogs and I have seen a number of Emperor moths. Even though there are numerous warblers there is no indication of a cuckoo. 2011-4-28 08:32:24 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#92609 12.00 Normal 0 false false false ENGB XNONE XNONE Style Definitions table.MsoNormalTable msostylenameTable Normal msotstylerowbandsize0 msotstylecolbandsize0 msostylenoshowyes msostylepriority99 msostyleqformatyes msostyleparent msop... 2011-4-27 13:38:06 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#92608 I am very aware that I have been off line for some time. During that time quite a lot has happened the bungalow with the dormer windows on the cliff top has been demolished. Nick Wood kindly sent this picture taken on April 4. 2011-4-27 13:31:02 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#90160 The pairs of oystercatchers swans greylag geese and Canada geese have been on the marsh and a pair of shelducks on the boating lake. The pheasant has been particularly noisy and I think I heard a reed warbler the other morning. It has been glorious weather and the very low tide meant that I could stand on the observer post. This can be seen by clicking on the picture below. 2011-3-25 13:52:52 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#89598 David H wrote to me recently.I guess you have seen the piece in the EDP about the knocking down of the semidetached houses at Easton Bavents. The house referred to in the story is the left hand inland side. We used to stay at Weatherly owned by Mr and Mrs Tony Westlake. From family photos it would have been 80 yds to the cliff edge around 1970. httpwww.edp24.co.uknewseastonbaventsclifftophousetobeknockeddown1834897 We were in Southwold in February and compared photos from 1970 to now. The past is as they say a foreign country 2011-3-20 10:46:07 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#89394 It is good to see the daffodils and snowdrops on the marsh opposite. I assume that they are there as a result of discarded garden waste. The pair of oystercatchers have been around and yesterday there was a pair of greylag geese. Maybe in May we will see some more goslings. On Tuesday the Muntjac was on the marsh wall.I met Frank Mortlock the other day and he commented on the Observer Post that is now in the sea. He recollects how his father Harold who was one of six volunteers who manned the post during the war was injured. He lost his lower leg in an explosion outside the building possibly from a grenade. This is reported in Tom Kings My Second World War Diaries in Southwold. Tom King was a policeman and on March 10 1944 wroteWeather. Fog early and overcast cleared a bit later wind WNW moderate. Spent the morning doing bits and pieces and had a sleep in the afternoon fairly quiet day a few planes. The Military made a good bit of noise on the common practising with smoke bom... 2011-3-17 08:42:30 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#87084 An oystercatcher has been a welcome regular visitor to the fields and this morning I watched half a dozen turnstones on the beach. A long walk up the beach just before lunch showed more cliff fall and a lot of tree roots. There are a few shots of the glorious sunrise this morning. These can be seen by clicking on the image below. 2011-2-16 16:12:18 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#86780 A very wet morning but it has brought some Barnacle Geese back to the fields. This morning they are accompanied by 3 Brent Geese. The usual Gadwall and Teal are also present. 2011-2-12 10:23:03 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#86733 I am pleased to report some more shoveller ducks on the fields but very few geese half a dozen barnacle. A near neighbour told me that he has a resident blackcap in the garden and the other day had 20 30 waxwings in his malus tree. Neither of these have been flown to my garden. Another neighbour reported that he had heard skylarks up on the cliff tops towards The Low. 2011-2-11 12:23:10 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#86333 Unfortunately the kids with shotguns have been back in the fields and the wildfowl have not been around. Not much to report therefore on the ducks and geese. However the sanderling are still on the foreshore. 2011-2-6 14:46:18 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#85825 I usually see oystercatchers on the fields to the north of North Road however this morning there was one on the foreshore. Also a kestrel and marsh harrier have been around the fields and boating lake. 2011-1-31 12:28:41 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#85051 The blackbirds are singing at dawn and yesterday saw an elusive song thrush at the top of a tree. Lots of longtailed tits flitting around and a pair of sanderling on the foreshore today. 2011-1-20 08:54:20 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#84821 Yesterday there were hundreds of barnacle geese. Much fewer today but for the first time in a while there were 15 or so greylags around today. 2011-1-17 13:58:34 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#84604 It has been a good goose day. Plenty of Barnacle Geese 1 White Fronted Goose and 5 Red Breasted Geese. The only down side was that they are in the far field and difficult to photograph. 2011-1-14 13:18:33 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#84307 The geese have been back over the past three days mainly barnacle but there was a white fronted goose on Saturday. Several turnstones have been on the foreshore.I did get to see the meteor shower on Jan 4 around 3.00 AM it was clear enough. Unfortunately there was too much cloud cover to see the eclipse in the morning. Last night was very clear and Jupiter could be seen with the crescent moon.Even more cliff has eroded since I last went up to The Low. 2011-1-10 14:39:36 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#83514 No geese around for a while and yesterday was so misty that nothing could be seen on the marsh. Lots of tits about in the garden including some long tailed. 2010-12-30 11:50:26 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#83380 The recent north easterlies have brought in a lot of flotsam and jetsam. 2010-12-27 08:56:16 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#83360 I have been watching the wildfowl recently and before lunch noticed the arrival of a lot of geese. I have just looked to see if there are any red breasted ones but unfortunately there are two kids with a shotgun. They have been around for several days and do not appreciate the ban on shooting ducks. The pair of Shovellers which I have enjoyed watching are no more. 2010-12-26 14:28:26 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#83022 Yesterday morning the temperature in the back garden dipped to 10C the coldest that I have known it here. Many of the usual birds around and one of my neighbours continues to tell me of waxwings and fieldfare. Nothing yet in the garden here although all the usual species are around. It has been difficult providing any water as it freezes as soon as it is put in the birdbath. 2010-12-19 09:09:18 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#82646 A couple of days ago I caught a glimpse of a bird disappearing across the road into the undergrowth. I thought that it was a water rail but really did not get a good view. Yesterday a neighbour sent me a text that there was a water rail in his North Road garden. Surprisingly they are around I have never seen one here before. 2010-12-13 08:34:59 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#82415 Five red breasted geese some jack snipe dunlin and an oystercatcher were with the gulls and barnacle geese today. The geese were a long way off but it is possible to make them out. 2010-12-9 13:28:05 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#82268 Plenty of geese on the marsh today and a real bonus. I have not seen the red breasted goose for some time and four are present today. I have reported them to birdguides.com but they have recorded them as presumed escapes not sure why as we have had a regular single visitor for some years now. Still no sign of a waxwing in my garden but plenty of tits I think I may have caught a glance of a marsh tit as there appeared to be no white streak on the back of the head. They are getting through the bird feed at a rate of knots. 2010-12-7 12:32:52 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#82166 The recent high winds and associated rough seas have created a large amount of flotsam and jetsam on the foreshore. Very few geese over on the marsh at the moment but a shoveller duck was present yesterday. The goldfinches are finding the verbena seeds in the garden. 2010-12-6 08:57:15 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#82104 Mike T wrote to me and provided some more information on the mystery bird that I posted a few weeks back. Its a female Black Redstart. There are usually a few around the edges of town every Autumn and a few on Spring migration. I recall a week in late October back in the late 1990s when I saw well over a dozen spread out in the centre of Southwold. They are traditionally associated in Britain with buildings post caves and breed locally at Sizewell power stations amp Hamilton Dock in Lowestoft. In the latter half of the 1940s they rapidly colonised bombsites in major cities. 2010-12-5 09:24:42 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#82032 There was a low tide yesterday and the remains of the observation post that used to stand on the cliff top at Easton Bavents could be seen. Click on the picture to see further evidence of the coastal erosion. 2010-12-4 10:39:17 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#81981 Some Bramblings appeared in the garden today and a near neighbour has had a Waxwing visit. No such luck for me. The picture below shows how strong the north easterly wind has been. The drifting sand is covered with a thin layer of snow. 2010-12-3 15:33:38 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#81901 Although there has not been much snow when it comes it is horizontal. This morning it was imposible to walk along the promenade as the waves were hitting the sea wall and the high wind was blowing the spray onto the beach huts. It was bleak towards Easton Bavents as the snow scene shows. 2010-12-2 16:21:45 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#81685 The cold weather has brought in lots of lapwings. Yesterday morning there was quite a lot of snow. A short while ago BBC Look East showed a piece on the plight of Easton Bavents. A reader of the website pointed out to me that this has been also reported in the Daily Mail. Click here for a PDF of the article. More information is also available here . There is another interesting plan for Easton Bavents here from Paul England et al. 2010-11-30 15:25:46 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#81461 The first snow of winter fell yesterday and overnight froze to leave North Road like a skating rink. 2010-11-28 10:51:02 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#80823 Saw some Turnstones on the beach this morning. During the week there was a glorious sunrise and as I said I cannot resist taking pictures. There are a few more from the week by clicking below. 2010-11-21 12:20:00 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#79692 Still lots of barnacle geese around and a flock of long tailed tits in the garden. I walked up the beach the other day and found from where the septic tank had fallen. The Town Farm Marsh webcam is proving somewhat problematic but I think the one on Reydon Corner is now running smoothly. You can access that on the home page. 2010-11-7 12:56:25 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#79317 The first pair of teal that I have seen this autumn have arrived. The heron is around quite a lot and was being mobbedby crows this morning. 2010-11-2 13:29:58 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#79144 There are regularly several hundred barnacle geese in the fields to the north of North Road today they were accompanied by some greylags. The grey heron and little egret have also been about. Halloween is more apparent in North Road this year. 2010-10-31 10:34:56 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#78983 I have seen some strange sites but a septic tank on the beach 2010-10-28 16:17:16 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#78965 I was asked to accompany my university tutor and supervisor on a cruise to the western mediterranean hence the inactivity on the website. We visited Gibraltar Palma Mahon Barcelona Alicante and Malaga. I have tried to capture the older elements of these places. They can be seen by clicking here. 2010-10-28 12:07:20 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#77493 What a fantastic autumn day Outward or homeward bound Click on image for more of the sunrise pictures I cannot resist taking them. 2010-10-10 12:18:53 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#77428 This bird looked like a robin but was grey with a red rump and wagged its tail. Any ideas 2010-10-9 12:03:01 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#77261 Today started with a beautiful autumnal morning the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. There was a chill in the air and a low mist over Town Farm Marsh. More pictures can be seen by clicking on the one below. 2010-10-7 08:57:41 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#76467 0.6 inches of rain fell in the 12 hour period from 10.00 AM yesterday. This could be seen on the webcam overlooking Town Farm Marsh access via home page or halcyon.camstreams.com. Not too many photos taken outside but I did experiment with some night shots. In order to enhance sensitivity I increased the ISO on the camera from the normal 200 to 3200 this gives the Michaelmas daisies left an interesting blue colour. I was surprised that the red berries on the sorbus showed up in the distance. 2010-9-27 08:24:56 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#76334 It felt very autumnal for the first time this year. There are many more Barnacle geese around and I saw some Gadwall for the first time. There appear to be Martins and Swallows about. In Snape earlier today there were lots of Swallows swooping around the field which was being used as a car park for the Aldeburgh Food Festival. Click here for a few pictures . The sun through the clouds was good first thing this morning. 2010-9-25 14:12:02 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#76099 A new webcam from Reydon Corner overlooking the marshes to the sea can be found by clicking here. 2010-9-22 16:27:05 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#75829 Halcyon has been away in Chile for a few days. Click here to see some pictures of Valparaiso The Andes and Santiago. 2010-9-19 13:37:44 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#73997 What a week Over 1.5 inches of rain in 48 hours. At least the boating lake is filling.....I did get a picture of evidence of coastal erosion see below. Last night there was a lot of celestial activity the barn owl was foraging there were 4 or 5 house martins and as it became darker moths and bats were flying around. There was also a superb view of the International Space Station as it went over. 2010-8-28 17:11:11 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#73620 The barn owl was out over the fields for some time last night. The scene on the horizon this morning looked like a view from War of the Worlds. Is it for drilling or sand dredging 2010-8-24 08:55:00 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#73405 I had the opportunity to go up the church tower at Pakefield. It felt like being a cross between Indiana Jones and David Attenborough. I had to climb almost vertical old creaky ladders amidst the dust of centuries pigeon dropping etc. There was an acrid smell bats. Right at the top after passing through several trap doors and past the bells there was a lead covered one that when opened revealed welcome fresh air and sky. I took a number of photos. Click on the image for more. 2010-8-22 12:24:51 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#72911 I havent seen the swifts around for several days and there are far fewer swallows. However the barnacle geese are back in plenty and yesterday there was the rare appearance of a ruddy shelduck. The old water tower was open yesterday and I took some photos from the top. It was a pity that it wasnt a bit clearer. Here is the one towards Easton Bavents. The others can be seen by clicking on the image. 2010-8-15 18:04:17 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#72581 John Hutton has contacted me again about an incident in the war. He recallsOn 5th may 1941 an unusual aircraft landed in a field in Easton Bavents Covehithe. My pal Charlie Martin and I heard of this through the grapevine and hot footed it up that way. We were rewarded with a perfect view of this machine in Luftwaffe markings from about 50 yards. The armed guard prevented us getting any closer. My supposed skills in aircraft recognition were completely thrown by this strange twin boomed machine but we heard later that it was a Fokker G1 fighter captured by the Germans from the Dutch Air Force. The picture provided by John from a Fokker aircraft history book tells the whole story. Click here for image. 2010-8-11 15:18:32 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#72165 A few swallows have reappeared on the power lines and last night there were no swifts to be seen although one or two bats made an appearance. This morning a significant number of barnacle geese arrived but no sign as yet of the red breasted goose. Nick Wood has provided me some interesting pictures of the sea defences. Click on image below for more. 2010-8-5 12:58:38 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#72126 I visited South Cove Church and saw a very impressive collection of old images of the area. I borrowed some of John Allports collection. A small selection can be viewed by clicking on the image below which shows the local brickworks at South Cove. 2010-8-4 17:31:23 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#71940 I have just been up to the North Norfolk coast largely to visit the RSPB reserve at Titchwell however most of it is closed for renovation. However I did manage a few photos whilst I was up there. Click here to see them . 2010-8-2 15:18:36 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#71936 Some of the sunsets have been pretty good as well. Click below for more. 2010-8-2 15:08:52 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#71934 In late July there was a spectacular sunrise with mist on The Town Farm Marshes. More images can be seen by clicking on the picture below. 2010-8-2 14:56:33 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#71153 More sightings of the hawk moth. To see more pictures click on image below. 2010-7-24 14:21:47 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#71082 I have had several sightings of a hummingbird hawk moth in the garden. This is the first time I have seen them in Southwold. They are little devils to photograph as can be seen below almost ghost like. 2010-7-23 11:36:28 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#70607 More frogs have arrived at the new pond in the garden I am still amazed how they find water in an enclosed garden. The orchids near the boating lake have now gone to seed but the picture below is a reminder of how they were a couple of weeks ago. Despite an inch of rain falling during the week the boating lake continues to dry. The harrier with the very pale head is often to be seen searching for prey. Whilst I was watching it through the binoculars a few minutes ago I saw it together with 5 little egrets and a grey heron. 2010-7-17 15:35:35 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#69378 Nearly all the water has gone from the boating lake and walking over the marsh wall this morning I was reminded that I took a picture in Helsinki last week that was apt. 2010-7-2 11:04:33 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#68988 This weekend the weather was far more like June. The sea was calm and unlike last weekend I was able to walk up the beach. The high seas had brought down more of the cliff and a shed on the cliff top has now met its maker. Remaining is a post box The Last Post I wonder how long it will be there.The boating lake continues to dry and it is now like it was towards the middle of August last year. The marsh harrier continues to make regular visits and the barn owl has been about. Little egrets can also be seen. Yesterday morning I watched and listened to a grasshopper warbler.Click on the picture for more shots of the cliff.The Last Post. 2010-6-27 19:35:10 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#68406 The marsh harrier with the very pale head was over the reeds this morning and a couple of little egrets flew past. On the marsh wall a couple of very small shrews scurried into the undergrowth as I walked past. The sea was very high again and I was soaked by a wave as I walked along the promenade. I received the postcard below recently. It was posted from Southwold to Beccles in 1904. When I saw it on ebay I thought that it may be of Southwold but I cannot recognise it. Any suggestions welcome. A higher definition picture can be seen by clicking on the image below. 2010-6-20 11:05:19 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#68361 I have seen high rough seas in midwinter but the middle of June Today the waves are breaking rushing up the slopes to the car park and coming over the top especially the slope to the north end of the car park. Click on picture below to see more views of the sea. 2010-6-19 16:46:42 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#67113 Last year I reported that the boating lake was beginning to dry out at the end of July and that this was the first time I had seen it. This year the drying out has begun at the start of June. This may attract some waders but why cannot it be filled as it was in the past by pumping in water. I have a vivid memory of my father rowing me round the mere at Thorpeness when I was about 5 and telling me stories of pirates and excitement on the high seas. People obviously enjoyed boating in Southwold and taking the small sailing boats onto the lake. It is a pity that it is not possible any more think what enjoyment it could give to children today. Here is a reminder of yesteryear with a recent addition to the small collection of postcards. 2010-6-6 10:53:04 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#67112 Yesterday the Marsh Harrier was displaying well and although I have seen evidence of moles on the marsh walk I have never seen one. However 2010-6-6 10:47:13 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#67064 This time last year there was a profusion of orchids near North Road. The first few have begun to show. 2010-6-5 13:03:58 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#66952 Last weekend I found a new view to the north and went up the tower of the Roman Catholic Church. The views were spectacular it was a pity that it was not a clear sunny day. More views can be seen by clicking on the picture below. 2010-6-4 08:49:29 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#66390 At long last I heard the cuckoo yesterday evening. Also the marsh harriers were swooping over the reeds late afternoon early evening. There is a new addition to the north of North Road the Southwold sign. An interesting design for the choice of gull I would have selected a black headed gull as these are more prevalent. Certainly in the past there were fewer herring or black backed gulls. The fretwork under the Southwold is interwoven fish and waves. What is most strange is that the positioning of the sign means that most of the detail is lost against the trees. 2010-5-29 10:03:21 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#66072 Nick Wood has kindly given me a link to a collection of postcards of local interest. Click here to see the collection. 2010-5-25 10:54:24 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#66062 Still no sign of the North Road cuckoo which is surprising given the large number of warblers that can be heard in the reed beds. More old postcards have arrived and I am grateful to Hilary for a couple one of which shows the fishing village of huts on the North Beach. Does anyone have any idea of the date 2010-5-25 10:05:39 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#65346 The Canada Geese also have a number of goslings 2010-5-15 16:13:21 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#65321 I know that it has been arctic like this week. Yesterday evening there seemed to be a visitor from the far north in the fields. From a distance it looked like a snow goose but through a telescope the bill was too dark. Still no sign of the North Road cuckoo. The Oystercatchers are still on the nest and there appears to be a bumper number of Greylag goslings this year. 2010-5-15 08:27:02 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#64821 I have found a few more old postcards which I have added. The Oystercatcher is still sitting on the nest. I think that winter has returned very cold wet and a strong northeasterly. 2010-5-8 15:43:06 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#64680 Hilary Huckstep has kindly sent me some more postcards these are now on the old postcards page. 2010-5-6 11:08:13 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#64298 May Day and I have seen the Greylag goslings for the first time. Also the Swifts appeared yesterday and a pair of Partridge were in the fields. I have not heard the cuckoo yet which I did on May 1 last year but I understand that it has been heard in Reydon. 2010-5-1 15:33:12 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#64241 After seeing Jeanettes old postcards I decided that I should look for some. Here is the first from 1907. Also Jeanette sent me an interesting document concerning Bramwell Booth which I will put on the history post 1900 page. The oystercatcher is still on the nest and I had sight of the grasshopper warbler. 2010-4-30 16:28:28 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#63846 2010-4-26 10:39:08 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#63843 The daffodils are still putting on a good show. To rival their yellow the mimosa against the blue sky looks spectacular. 2010-4-26 10:31:56 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#63778 The swallows and martins are now back in abundance and a pair of oystercatchers appears to be nesting in the fields. Shelducks are also around and the Marsh Harrier was being mobbed by gulls this afternoon. The warmer evenings have brought out the bats. Even so for the past few days apart from this morning there has been a frost on the ground. I was asked to have a picture of the skateboard park. You can compare the view with that in the 1936 postcard. The house at the end of North Road can clearly can be seen to the left of the picture and in the distance the roof of the house with the dormer windows that is now on the cliff edge. 2010-4-25 16:28:05 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#63126 Last weekend I thought I heard a grasshopper warbler near the boating lake. This was confirmed by a neighbour who has not heard them for some years. I have also tried to get a picture of the view to the north to compare with the 1936 postcard. It is not possible to get precisely the same angle but the contrast is marked. I was told that the tents in the 1936 picture may be from the Boys Brigade as badges and so forth have been found as a result of metal detecting in that area. 2010-4-16 09:34:45 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#62857 I had a super response to my article in The Southwold Organ A view to the north. Jeanette Carden kindly lent me some old postcards and I copied those that were relevant to the north end of Southwold I will be posting these. One that particularly struck me was a 1936 view of Easton Bavents. It shows tennis courts where the current skate board park is located. A building long gone next to the boating lakes and tents up towards and past Peter Boggis property. If anyone has ideas of what they were doing there or any other ideas of the view please let me know. What is fascinating is the fact that there are houses that no longer exist and the extent at least a field of ground between the houses still at the Bavents and the cliff edge.You can click on the picture to get a better resolution view. 2010-4-12 19:32:50 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#62606 A neighbour told me that there were sand martins over Easton Broad so I decided to try and find them yesterday afternoon. I walked up the coast and was surprised by both the lack of people and also the amount of cliff that has come down close to the first dip. There were lots of greylag geese near the broad and I watched a pair of Marsh Harriers fly over the reed beds. Plenty of birdsong as well with lots of skylarks around. However the martins eluded me. This morning a Snipe was in the fields opposite preening itself with its long beak. The sea was incredibly calm this morning and more like a lake with the water and sky merging together. 2010-4-9 08:39:20 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#62420 I usually write about a view to the north. Today there was a noxious niff from the north. I think that the pigs were being cleaned out. Despite the smell it was warm enough to sit outside and have a beer. Ladybirds and bumble bees in the garden together with the first wasp of the year. To brighten the day I also took some pictures of the daffodils on the marsh which have come out to replace the snowdrops. I think that the bulbs must have got there as a result of garden refuse but they put on a splendid show every year. 2010-4-7 16:00:49 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#62336 Up on the Scottish moors the black grouse have lecks. The male pheasant in North Road is often seen strutting his stuff on the footpath. Peacocks and Brimstone butterflies been seen flying around in the Spring sun. 2010-4-6 16:27:51 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#62254 Bonfires are usually associated with autumn here is a vernal bonfire in the late evening. The rooks are building in preparation for warmer days. 2010-4-5 17:31:18 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#62229 The pair of oystercatchers are still feeding furiously. Yesterday evening it was good to see the barn owl fly over the reeds.Only a couple of teal around but the gadwall are still present in numbers. The daffodils on the marsh are now in full bloom. 2010-4-5 12:47:24 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#62172 I tried to jog up the beach the other day but even though the tide was ebbing and an hour or so past high tide it was impossible to get as far as Easton Broad. However I did hear lots of skylarks and the piping of three oystercatchers as they flew over. The pair is still on the fields to the north of North Road and today the little egret was present it appeared very white in the Spring sun. Nearby was a grey heron. A neighbour told me he had seen a Muntjac deer earlier in the week and so I hope to get some more photos clearer than the one I posted last summer. I was also contacted by a neighbour in Hotson Road who spent time here in her childhood. She recalls that in the early 50s We were never allowed to go along that part of the beach as children because of all the barbed wire and unexploded mines and other debris left over from the war. We were always afraid to go too far along from the pier. 2010-4-4 13:51:02 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#60997 The Vernal Equinox when the sun crosses the equator and so far it has been a glorious Spring morning. I dont expect to see game birds in the garden as it is very small and does not adjoin any open countryside. However this morning the garden was visited by a redlegged partridge. I grabbed the camera to get a quick shot but unfortunately I had not reset it from taking some night shots of the moon. However after a bit of digital magic it is possible to make out the partridge. Maybe I should invest in a pear tree. 2010-3-21 09:06:20 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#60842 I have added a picture to the history post 1900 page. The photo was kindly given to me by Michael RowanRobinson and shows a historic photo of the Salvation Army Council arriving at 71 North Rd to ask Bramwell Booth to resign. 2010-3-18 14:32:52 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#60572 If you look at the comment on the post below there is a link to a Google page which allows one to walk along North Road. Big Brother is watching the definition is scary. Click here for the link 2010-3-15 14:21:32 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#60066 Over the past couple of days there have been about 8 Greylag geese appear. There have been a few individuals over the winter and I think the latest influx must mean that they are going to breed again. The past couple of years has seen several successful broods. Also the Barn Owl and Marsh Harrier has been back. Teal and Gadwall still around but still no wigeon. Also the Barnacle Geese have been visiting less frequently but about a dozen Canada Geese are often on the marshes. 2010-3-8 13:48:17 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#59349 The weather has been awful and so outdoor pictures have not been worthwhile. I did come across a pot the other day which is stamped Southwold Pottery. I wonder if anyone knows more about this There was some information on the Southwold Museum website but I have been able to find little else. 2010-2-27 11:33:05 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#58897 Advice from my tonsorial experts is this a number 1 or a number 2 2010-2-21 17:43:38 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#58855 I walked under the pier yesterday at sunrise and was reminded of the Egyptian temples where passages were cut so that on one day of the year the sun would shine along their length. Yesterday evening a Barn Owl quartered the reed beds it is a pity that it does not come more regularly.More pictures of the pier can be found by clicking on the image below 2010-2-21 09:36:06 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#58442 John Hutton sent me a recollection from the war see entry on Miscellany History post 1900 2010-2-15 08:32:37 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#58300 An icy wind was blowing down the coast this morning and the sun had difficulty finding its way through the grey clouds. Moles seem to be very active at the moment on the marsh footpath and the fields to the north of North Road. Gadwall and Teal about and a lot of gulls which look like a snow storm when they take off and land in the fields. More sunrise pictures by clicking on photograph below. 2010-2-13 09:17:08 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#57837 What a difference a day makes. Yesterday morning it was grey pouring with rain cold and windy. This morning it was glorious with a frost on the beach. The sun rising was spectacular and the pictures do not do full justice to it. There are a few more if you click on the picture below. 2010-2-6 09:34:15 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#57356 The moon setting this morning was more spectacular. Click on image below for more moon pictures and the sunrise this morning. 2010-1-31 10:12:47 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#57321 The Red Breasted Goose and a Brent Goose is present today together with a pair of Mute Swans a Grey Heron and numerous Barnacle Geese. The Teal and Shoveller are also there with Gadwall and Mallards. It is difficult to see the gulls against the snowy fields Hilary Huckstep kindly lent me some old Ordnance Survey maps which I have tried to copy and are under the Maps and Gazeteer page. The files can be downloaded so that they can be viewed in a bit more detail. This is an example from the 1928 map. 2010-1-30 16:11:18 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#57311 This morning there was a covering of snow and it was very icy the moon setting to the west was spectacular. I have added more icy pictures these together with the previous ones can be seen by clicking on the picture below. 2010-1-30 11:43:10 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#57310 The moon was so bright last night that I could not get Mars and the moon in the same shot. However when it was clear seeing the two together was great. 2010-1-30 11:40:15 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#57255 Hopefully the sky will be clear tonight and there will be good views of the moon and Mars at 9.00 PM 2010-1-29 10:36:26 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#57209 One of my readers John Hutton recalls discovering of a colony of Purple Hairstreak butterflies a few years back in the gorse bushes near the boating lake. Has anyone else seen them in recent years Picture below from httpwww.ukbutterflies.co.ukspecies.phpspeciesquercus 2010-1-28 14:50:24 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#56903 Another grey day but a few Barnacle Geese appeared together with a surprise 3 Brent Geese. Even more surprising surprisingly was an appearance in the garden of a thrush. It must have been 5 or 6 years since I have seen one. Before that they often used the front step as an anvil where have they all gone 2010-1-24 15:47:22 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#56601 I would like to find out more about the war defences to the north of Southwold. There are clearly the antitank concrete blocks that the lichen like so much see below and there has been posting about the observation post that can only now be seen at very low tide. I learnt recently about the first world war airfield at Covehithe the limit of the remit of this website. Any information pictures maps most welcome. 2010-1-20 19:05:39 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#56461 The jetsam reminded me that almost a year ago Southwold beach was inundated with timber planks. Remember this There are more images if you click on the picture. 2010-1-18 20:55:09 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#56286 The largest jetsam I have seen but what is it 2010-1-16 13:50:06 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55794 Here is an apt photo even snowmen or should I say snowpersons have children the latest denizens in North Road 2010-1-9 19:35:35 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55772 Ken here is another poser for you 2010-1-9 12:01:38 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55771 A few more arctic scenes added to the other wintry pictures. This is the first time I have seen a snowman looking out to sea. Redwing in the garden for the first time. 2010-1-9 11:56:20 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55711 Is the Yeti back Click on photo for more snow scenes. 2010-1-8 09:32:07 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55644 A hospital is marked on this 1937 map of Suffolk The Vision of Britain site has some interesting historical maps. 2010-1-7 09:43:30 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55580 A recent visitor to the site wrote to me about Easton Bavents and I have added a paragraph to the page. It would be interesting to have more information about the Bavents and some old photos if anyone has any. Also it would be interesting to confirm if the hospital was there at any stage or if it was a nursing home or both. Please email me halcyonsouthwoldnorthroad.com with any details if you have any. 2010-1-6 08:53:38 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55379 It is difficult to see the gulls against the snow. A shelduck has appeared for the first time in a while and also a flock of long tailed tits. The church from Town Farm Marsh taken yesterday. 2010-1-3 10:03:06 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55329 Redbreasted goose 2010-1-2 13:28:11 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55328 Barnacle geese in full flight 2010-1-2 13:08:27 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55325 First sight of the RedBreasted Goose for a long time. Unfortunately it is in the far fields and difficult to photograph 2010-1-2 12:12:39 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55321 Back in the 1980s when Waveney could be bothered to spend money on the upkeep of groynes the beach levels were high. There was no need for the railings as the drop to the beach was seldom more than a few feet. The replacement stone piers are clearly not adequate to prevent beach erosion and old timbers from the jetty pre sea defences have now been exposed. 2010-1-2 10:46:14 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55318 Is this a picture from A NASA B The South Pole C The roof of an Audi A3 2010-1-2 10:37:05 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55272 Sun at last and Barnacle Geese. 2010-1-1 12:16:16 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55271 Happy New Year to all my readers. Last night there was a partial eclipse of the moon. The clouds made it difficult to photograph. I am still waiting for answers to the picture puzzle 2010-1-1 12:11:37 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55223 New Years Eve and there is no let up to the grey skies. 2009-12-31 11:38:10 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55188 It is cold grey and drizzling with a wind from the north east so here is a reminder of sunnier times. 2009-12-30 11:15:07 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#55137 Sometimes in winter there is some sun. However the coastal erosion continues I wonder how much longer the house will remain What will happen when the sea erodes the cliffs immediately north of the current sea defences will Town Farm Marsh become Buss Creek again with tidal flow Plenty of Teal around a few lapwing but no sign of the redbreasted goose. 2009-12-29 11:14:50 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#54927 Although there is now a complete covering of water in the boating lake the cold weather makes it appear solid again. The teal are sliding on the ice. A little egret is on the marsh and recently a heron perched on a neighbours roof surveying the landscape no doubt looking for goldfish. 2009-12-23 10:11:23 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#54856 No entry 2009-12-21 12:29:28 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#54855 Arctic conditions in North Road 2009-12-21 12:25:43 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#54499 I must go and invest some moneyhttpnews.bbc.co.uk1hienglandsuffolk8410453.stm 2009-12-14 07:45:23 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#54454 I promised a how well do you know Southwold brainteaser for the end of the year. There are 10 pictures taken around Southwold. I will give a prize of a bottle of fizz for the most correct answers emailed to halcyonsouthwoldnorthroad.com by December 31st. The ten pictures are below and also available at httppicasaweb.google.co.uksouthwoldnorthroadPuzzle Good luck 2009-12-13 09:21:15 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#52153 Lots of Barnacle Geese around and a pair of Stonechat on the dried cow parsley outside the house. Large number of huge tankers off the coast. 2009-11-8 09:39:59 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#52012 Plenty of Barnacle Geese but no sign of the Red Breasted Goose. Earlier this week there were 8 Brent and the first Teal were in evidence today. Is this the first sign of the flood should we be building an ark 2009-11-5 15:58:27 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#51340 The day the clocks went back and snowdrops out what a strange microclimate. 2009-10-25 14:43:17 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#50359 Donald Sewell kindly lent me two aerial photos I think they are c1910 and 1995. Please let me know it you have more exact dates. It is interesting to see the state of the boating lake and compare it with its current condition. They are posted on the post 1900 history page. 2009-10-10 15:57:22 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#50351 Last weekend there were some perfect sunrises and evidence of coastal erosion. 2009-10-10 13:06:08 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#50350 What a difference a week makes. Despite the heavy overnight rain the boating lake remains dry and cracked. 2009-10-10 13:02:53 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#49565 Have been having some formatting problems with the site hence the loss of a few images. However the ever changing beach has provided an interesting view of the beach huts. The redbreasted goose has made a return but in the fields too far away to be photographed. 2009-9-28 12:09:27 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#48241 There are still a few swallows around over South Green and the golf course. This picture reminded me of a painting that I saw recently all will be revealed in due course. 2009-9-6 08:49:05 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#48178 And for fun a picture taken on a very starry night of the moon and Jupiter and played around with digitally 2009-9-4 22:31:14 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#48176 Tonight was very clear and a super full moon. In view of the recent lunar comments I thought I would try and capture it. It was so bright this picture was taken at 11000 sec 2009-9-4 22:17:26 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#48110 Definitely colder this morning. Very few swallows around although I think I saw some House Martins. Some of the antitank blocks from the war years provide an excellent surface for lichen. 2009-9-4 08:30:44 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#48056 There are various famous domes around the world this is the dome of the sunrise coast. 2009-9-3 16:33:53 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47871 The Times again makes reference to Southwold. httpwww.timesonline.co.uktolnewsukarticle6816447.ece and the editorial refers to George Orwell httpwww.timesonline.co.uktolcommentleadingarticlearticle6816418.ece I wonder if the Editor realises that Eric Blair lived in Southwold for many years Does Rumbugga have any views on the possibility of a nudist beach in Southwold and should we be concerned about this type of activity up at the Bavents 2009-9-1 08:30:35 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47747 Ably assisted by my photographic assistant Orchid we went on the track of the Yeti. We came across the following print which we believe is the genuine article. Perhaps Rumbugga can verify 2009-8-30 10:55:23 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47668 This morning there was a beautiful blue sky but a decided chill in the air. No spottings of Ursa Minor this morning but with the increased chill maybe I should be looking for Ursus maritimus. On August 24 Rumbugga suggested that the sighting was a Yeti and that it should be reported in the Fortean Times. The Times this morning gives us some clue. Perhaps we should compare the picture below with the photographs taken earlier this week 2009-8-28 07:59:42 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47655 This is cheating a little as it is a bit further than a few hundred yards from North Road but I love the blue colours I got late evening in the harbour almost Mediterranean. 2009-8-27 21:52:42 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47622 I have added some more information that Frank Mortlock gave me on the history post 1900 page. There will be more to follow. It would be good to have some more old photos of North Road. Here is another shot of the pier from a choppy sea. 2009-8-27 08:35:47 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47580 The boating lake continues to dry but do I get a sighting of the yeti aka Ursa Minor 2009-8-26 16:17:02 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47488 Charybdis 2009-8-25 08:41:29 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47429 An interesting perspective of the pier. More photos of the trip on the Coastal Voyager and Nick Catling and Marcus Gladwell are on the websites page. Click on the picture on the websites page to get to the full set of pictures which have yet to be edited. 2009-8-24 10:09:46 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47421 An intrepid explorer out on his daily trek. You will note that he is looking downwards to avoid the problems mentioned in the Forum. I have posted some pictures from Dunwich and a lunchtime trip up the River Blyth. These are on the websites and local haunts page. More pictures to follow as I went for an evening trip up the river. 2009-8-24 07:59:39 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47349 Starry starry night but this is not a star can you spot the moons 2009-8-22 22:29:12 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47307 Watched a Barn Owl over the marshes under a superb sunset yesterday evening. Despite the cloudless blue sky this morning there is a slight autumnal chill. Looking at the boating lake I am beginning to wonder if it will dry out completely. 2009-8-22 08:14:51 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47257 More wildlife in the garden 2009-8-21 15:55:52 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47226 More vapour trails 2009-8-21 09:45:55 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47192 The other day I mentioned Ethan here is some evidence that he is a budding naturalist. Finds from the shoreline 2009-8-20 15:29:48 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47190 I came across this little garden resident whilst moving some slabs this morning 2009-8-20 13:05:11 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47184 In transit who will get there first 2009-8-20 10:26:28 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47141 The Admirals Cup comes to North Road 2009-8-19 12:18:51 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47097 Last night whilst out admiring the view across the marsh I met a number of North Road denizens some of whom were unaware of the website. There were two graphic designers one of whom I had helped earlier with my Broadband connection the other has just received a 1st from Brighton well done. A number of tales of misdemeanour were also related from the 1940s these will be reported later in the history section. Also there were some visiting grandchildren not mine yet. I think one of them Ethan may also turn out ot be a graphic designer see picture below of the village he has just made or a David Attenborough see rock pool below. 2009-8-18 12:17:00 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47094 I have added some fantastic pictures of a grass snake Fauna and Flora home page that Joy West took. Transport this morning was very green it is powered by a very heavy rather aged motor with 1HP 1 halcyonpower. Its top speed is dead slow and it has a habit of throwing its owner into the sea. 2009-8-18 12:12:23 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#47045 I always wondered why seagulls are white is it because they are camouflaged in the surf 2009-8-17 15:38:40 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46996 Geese are never cooperative. The Redbreasted Goose has reappeared but it is rather too far away for a decent photo. This is the best I can do until they get into a closer field. 2009-8-16 16:21:41 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46985 A feeding frenzy 2009-8-16 10:41:02 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46950 A very grey day 13 swallows on the power line. The levels in the Boating Lake continue to fall but the waders love this. Godwit and Sandpipers thanks Mike T for pointing these out are still there as is the large Heron population. 2009-8-15 08:17:03 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46900 Sunset last night and the sunrise around 5.30 AM were spectacular. 2009-8-14 08:35:57 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46799 I have added a video clip to the Images page. It is a large file and takes some time to download. It also takes up quite a lot of space. Let me know if you would like it left there please. Also the old photos of North Road are coming in and will be posted soon. If anyone has any more please email them to me or give them to me and I will scan them. 2009-8-12 09:24:42 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46743 The swallows and swifts may be getting ready to depart but the Red Breasted Goose has made a return with the Barnacle Geese a couple of hundred of them. 2009-8-11 10:42:41 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46738 Another balancing act or preparing for the long journey south 2009-8-11 09:16:20 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46709 Robinson Crusoe spotted off the beach. 2009-8-10 19:19:00 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46657 Skeins of Barnacle Geese have been landing in the fields no sign of the Little Egrets recently but the Godwit are still on the Boating Lake which is getting shallower and shallower. Eight Swallows on the power line this morning is this a sign that they are getting ready to depart south. This garden resident was pootling around yesterday afternoon. 2009-8-10 08:17:38 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46612 A lot fewer Swifts around this last week the shore on the boating lake gets ever bigger and provides a good feeding ground for waders such as Godwit. No avocet there recently though. Sundays puzzle. Any idea what the moths or caterpillars are 2009-8-9 10:17:01 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46607 I am concerned about the general increase in the number of Tardis in North Road should we expect an invasion of daleks Wandering through town yesterday afternoon I think that the invasion has already started. 2009-8-9 09:18:49 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46561 Early morning walk. I think that there are more spiders on the marsh than the inhabitants of the UK. The Cormorants are enjoying the early morning sun. 2009-8-8 10:50:46 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46559 A crepuscular view of the marsh 2009-8-8 10:08:23 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46514 Just returned along the first marsh wall and stopped opposite the tall trees near St Edmunds Rd. Plain as anything was the Grasshopper Warbler mentioned in the Forum. 2009-8-7 14:55:27 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46426 If any of the viewers would like to contribute recollections pictures of North Road please email me or come and see me. I can scan any pictures that you may have. Also I am happy to add things to the website either attributed or not as you please. It will be more interesting if we can post other stories and older pictures of the road. 2009-8-6 13:03:01 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46321 Only seen a deer once before on North Road. Tried to get closer but it had disappeared into the reeds. 2009-8-5 12:28:35 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46259 More evidence of Little Egrets this time on the boating lake. If Arthur Daley identifies himself I can show him that they are bona fide. 2009-8-4 14:54:42 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46244 They used smoke signals in the Wild West are we in the Wild East 2009-8-4 08:51:21 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46207 Sorry but I could not resist 2009-8-3 15:53:30 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46166 A balancing act on the front. Only one little egret this morning I doubt if yesterdays record is broken. And Bruno that is a genuine photo untouched by Photoshop. 2009-8-3 08:44:24 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46108 Must be an excellent year for Little Egrets. 2009-8-2 13:15:01 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#46087 Summer is back after the torrential rain last night but there is a chill in the air first thing in the morning. The godwit are still feeding on the boating lake. New to this year are the many large boats moored on the horizon are they a permanent feature. I understand that they are waiting out there to be cleaned at night they look like large illuminated Christmas decorations not very green using up all that power. Ten little egrets in fields to north of North Road and a gaggle of about 20 Barnacle Geese which have not been here for a while. 2009-8-2 08:42:51 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#45993 The low levels in the boating lake make ideal feeding ground for waders such as godwit. Not so good for paddleboats. Six little egret in fields to the north. 2009-8-1 09:04:25 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#45912 This picture shows the erosion to the north of Southwold. When I first visited here there was a clear promontory not a bay. Met Bruno Senior again this morning apparently Bruno Junior was further up the beach jogging or swimming can you spot him 2009-7-31 09:38:05 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#45823 Sometimes the visitors to North Road can be exotic. 2009-7-30 09:26:18 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#45577 The beach at the west end of the boating lake gets bigger a chill in the air this morning but met Bruno Senior and Junior during their consitutionals. The boating lake appears to be Heron Heaven a Little Egret is to the left 2009-7-26 08:40:48 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#45568 Storm Brewing 2009-7-25 21:32:04 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#45542 First thing this morning there were more people on the marsh wall than I have seen for a while. The boating lake is getting very low with a beach forming at the west end. Some waders redshank I think were feeding on it. The herons and little egrets were there in plenty. Beautiful blue sky today had also brought out lots of joggers. However the red tables remind me of the lull before the storm 2009-7-25 08:33:03 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#45509 Storms outside wayward aircraft presumably making their way to the Lowestoft airshow are flying over. The Canada Geese Herons and cattle seem very unperturbed. 2009-7-24 16:13:35 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#45126 Barnacle Greylag and Canada Geese feeding on the marsh whilst a Grey Heron fishes. Godwits on the boating lake. Tardis in the distance in the process of being painted. 2009-7-18 10:59:42 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44936 I have seen stone pillars built like this in Vancouver several years ago but not on Southwold beach before. Any similarities to art in a local gallery 2009-7-14 19:59:04 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44878 Even old Routemasters get to North Road 2009-7-13 19:50:04 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44820 Halcyone Herbert James Draper 1915 2009-7-13 08:49:05 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44817 As I went to The Clement Atlee Comprehensive for Underprivileged Children we were not taught Ovid. However Walt Whitman wroteNot from successful love alone Nor wealth nor honord middle age nor victories of politics or war But as life wanes and all the turbulent passions calm As gorgeous vapory silent hues cover the evening sky As softness fulness rest suffuse the frame like freshier balmier air As the days take on a mellower light and the apple at last hangs really finishd and indolentripe on the tree Then for the teeming quietest happiest days of all The brooding and blissful halcyon days 2009-7-13 08:39:17 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44798 An expensive space I am told. Close to 163100000 Has the Tardis dematerialized 2009-7-12 21:13:23 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44757 The little egret still at the boating lake but I dont think that the heavy overnight rain has done much for the level. No boating in the immediate future. The harrier is still displaying well maybe checking out Marcs tardis. 2009-7-12 09:33:38 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44706 Very large grey heron on marshes and swifts screeching around. Pair of avocets still on west end of boating lake. The water levels are very low this year. Barn owl plus catch flew past near the new sports pavilion. Avocets asleep Deserted beach 2009-7-11 08:55:35 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44694 Avocets return to The Boating Lake 2009-7-10 20:36:00 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44650 Something from the deep taken earlier this morning Marsh Harrier and Little Egret active early this morning. 2009-7-10 08:34:48 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44367 I thought that ducks liked swimming not surveying the marshes from rooftops. 2009-7-5 10:46:16 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44365 2009-7-5 08:51:51 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44363 2009-7-5 08:29:51 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#44020 Marsh Harrier quartered the reed beds. Grey Heron flew over and Cormorant preened itself by the water. 2009-6-28 12:03:02 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#43966 Sultry day again. Four little egrets in fields. Testing my lens to the limit they look like ghosts Rose on marsh in full bloom I think it probably resulted from some garden clippings thrown onto the marsh some 20 years ago. Lots of damsel flies around. 2009-6-27 15:48:45 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#43908 Little egret present as well PM 2009-6-26 14:08:28 http://www.southwold-northroad.com/page2.htm#43906 Not a flaming June day. Sea mist appeared mid morning. Oystercatcher feeding and the usual swallows sand martins and swifts. This was taken on a better day. 2009-6-26 13:35:17