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Just a short mention because the weather in early June 2007 was not particularly welcoming, very unlike the locals though whom were quite the opposite. Many thanks to all the people we met for their hospitality. Two folks stand out though and are a full credit to this beautiful county.
First has to be Emma, Visitor Centre Co-ordinator at the Hickling NWT wildlife nature reserve. Although, regrettably, dogs are not allowed here even on a lead she went out of her way to make my better half and two retrievers comfortable at the tables outside the centre. The dogs loved it too as they were fussed heavily by other
 visitors. This enabled me to take the photographs of the main reason for my visit, the Swallowtail butterfly. Certainly a privilege just to see this wonderful creature.
Many thanks Emma!.
Norfolk Swallowtail (Papilio machaon britannicus)
Secondly, we have to mention the cafe which is virtually on the beach at Winterton-on-sea and, of course, it’s staff (owners?) and the locals who frequent this fantastic place. They certainly know how to make folks feel really welcome, even dog owners. Thanks to all, especially the staff.
Winterton beach looking N to cafe.
So, Norfolk. Not exactly the easiest of places to get to from the north but well worth the effort in my opinion and we only managed to see a small part this time but enough to justify further exploration.
We stayed near the little village of Ridlington in a typical flint built cottage which was formally an old gig house. Tiny but delightful in many ways. Ideally situated for regular sightings of Roe deer, Heron, Kestrel, Sparrow hawk, Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl and many smaller birds which I didn’t identify.
Thankfully there were many places easily to hand that made the stay enjoyable despite the weather. Bacton woods is just full of wildlife and great for walking with many different paths to try and many types of trees/vegetation. One section, a meadow, provided us with an outstanding sight of 3 young red deer stags in magnificent condition who insisted on watching us, watching them!. A couple of ponds not far from the car park had many newts that I haven’t seen in such quantities for years.
The beaches of Bacton, Keswick and Walcott were only a few minutes walk from the cottage and were quite pleasant to walk. In the opposite direction the field walks around Ridlington were really nice with some added features of fox and brown hare and a buzzard that would come quite close. Beautiful village, Ridlington, probably even better in the sunshine!.
South of Happisburgh we tried a number of beach spots of which all seemed to have their own individual character (and sometimes characters) but the one that has to get the blackest mark and 0 out of ten has to be Sea Palling. If you want visitors and the money we bring Sea Palling, it’s a good idea to unlock the car parks on a morning. At 09:45 when we visited they (it) was still chained off !! We moved on.
Horsey Gap, a little further down the coast is a super spot and well worth risking the last 50 yards or so to the dune car park which was flooded while we were there.
 The beach is fantastic and almost deserted although we did have some seals swimming alongside us as we walked southwards on the beach then back over the dunes. It was hot and sunny while we were there and low tide so even the groynes with their gnarled timbers and rusting bolts looked the part.
Just a couple of miles up from Horsey Gap is the superbly restored Horsey Wind Pump where there is also access to other walks including Horsey Mere which is a birders spot for Cranes among others.
Moving further South on the coast (approx. 4 miles by road) will bring you to the lesser known Winterton-on-sea.
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