In keeping up with the new routine, today started with a lovely long walk completing a circuit of the coastal side of the village. Although overcast, it is a lovely calm morning with a little chill in the air. I have braved wearing shorts recently, but not this morning!
Lola and I arrived at the north end of the beach and started heading south. The tide was slowly heading in, high tide is due around 10:00 this morning. There were a weren't too many people about, just a splattering of dog walkers and a couple of men fishing.
I stumbled across a Sea Mouse (Aphrodita aculeata) as we followed the tide line towards the sea wall. These are strange looking things; they're a form of worm, this is only the second I've seen personally. They're generally found "sub-littoral to over 1000m".
The section of coastline here has changed significantly over the past few years due to the volume of sand that has shifted. Coastal erosion continues to be a challenge along this section of coastline.
Due to the level of the tide we had to take to the sea defences to prevent getting wet! All of this area was covered by dunes until autumn 2021.
These old groynes have become more exposed in recent weeks.
Here's a photo of this stretch taken in November 2021. Note the level of the beach in the distance and the fact none of the groynes are visible.
We followed the beach for the best part of a mile before heading back inland. I decided to take some of the out the way footpaths where Lola finds lots of interesting things to sniff. We then took a walk through the graveyard. I tend to do this most mornings and always say "good morning" to everyone. A little strange, I know.
I took the middle route, there are three parallel paths, I've never walked this one before. Being a coastal town so many of the inscriptions on the headstones highlight somebody drowned at sea.
We got home just before 9am after being out for just under 1h 38m. It's impossible to get anywhere quickly with the dog as she can't walk 4 paces without stopping for a sniff of something nasty.
Today was the first time in my new walking boots which I bought on Saturday. The soles had fallen off the last paid and they material had become quite brittle. They've been submerged in salt water too many times when I've not been paying attention, I imagine. The new ones were dead comfy and I returned home blister free!
It's now time for a strong coffee and a shower before getting the kids ready. Hopefully heading out into Norwich to explore and add a few more steps.
