Sunset around St Benet’s Abbey

St Benet’s Abbey and windmill – a photographic blog

Winter sunsets at and around the atmospheric and historic St Benet’s Abbey and mill ruins on the banks of the River Bure in Norfolk.

This is such a special place in Norfolk with legends of ghostly monks, once inhabitants of a remote medieval monastery.

The wooden cross with the word ‘peace’ with geese flying past.

On a winter’s afternoon, aside from stunning medieval ruins, there is much wildlife to enjoy too. We saw geese, barn owls, swans and birds of prey in a very short time.

I got as close as I could to this beautiful young barn owl. The pastel pink of the lowering sun providing a pretty frame around him/her.

My main preoccupation was the stunning sunset on this visit. It was truly spectacular.

The colours changed at every moment. The sky turning from deep blue to pastel shades of pink and lilac, then to golden. My tip is to stay for the duration of any sunset as you will see the most incredible light display evolve. Never think its over until that fire ball finally slips below the horizon, and darkness finally drops like a blanket over your head.

The best times to visit to see wildlife is early morning or late afternoon. That’s when you will see the owls hunting and they come quite close. Be prepared to brush shoulders with other photographers! It’s always good to ask where they have seen the wildlife. People who love nature are happy to share their experiences.

This is a beautiful place, go and enjoy it in peace.

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Raveningham Hall Gardens Snowdrops

While many head to Walsingham to see the snowdrop spectacle, as did I, a couple of weeks ago, there are some other pretty spots to view these magical white flowers. Raveningham gardens are well worth a visit too.

It was my first trip there, and the spring-like weather made it even more of a treat. The gardens are open every day apart from Saturdays in February and every Sunday, is a fundraiser for Priscilla Bacon Lodge.

Whether you love to photograph the snowdrops or not, Raveningham Hall Gardens are a truly idyllic place to wander. Plenty of other beautiful flowers to see too, such as the crocuses.

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All Things Norfolk

MyriadLifeBooks is a member of All Things Norfolk – an online showcase of businesses all based here in our fine county.

It makes sense to use local businesses you can trust. Paul Dickson suggested the site to me. Paul is a local tour guide (stuffed full of fascinating historical facts) and features the books he publishes on the site.

Check out the MyriadLifeBooks feature page and shop.

See more feature pages here.

If you are a local business, it makes sense to join this site. Give it a try!

Long sleeve t-shirt

Great light at Great Yarmouth

In the pink at Great Yarmouth

The best trips are always the spontaneous ones. To wake up in the morning without a plan, then make a spur of the moment decision, always gives me a buzz.

Such was the case on Saturday. I love Great Yarmouth in winter best, so it wasn’t a difficult decision on a bright sky day to head that way. After an hour so enjoying the amazing Tide and Time Museum, absorbing nautical stories and sniffing the herrings, we headed over to the beach.

If you know Great Yarmouth, you’ll know what a fabulous golden sandy beach it has. In winter there are few folk around other than dog walkers and the occasional sea fisherman. One of which we passed time with, discussing his catches. He reminded us to look out for the dreaded Weaver fish if we were ever to chance our arm at casting a line.

He showed us pictures of sea bass, cod and a larger shark-like fish. Further down the beach another fisherman told us we’d never catch cod there. Who to believe… the first I think, judging by his evidence.

While we chatted, I stared out at the storm clouds rolling in above the bright whiteness of the windfarm turnbines, reveling in the drama of the scenery with my photographer’s eye.

I broke off from the conversation to take my pictures, knowing there was a good chance we might soon get wet. The only things that did get wet were my boots. I have a habit of standing too close to the incoming tide while shooting away, absorbed in what I am doing.

Storm clouds over the Windfarm

As we walked along the beach, spotting vessels heading to the port, a wide rainbow formed. I waited for one of the ships to enter the rainbow, and then pressed the shutter. As I clicked, I wondered if the crew knew they were in the center of such magic, and if it might give them special powers…

Ship passing through a rainbow

As geese flew by, the sky changed colour and shape every few moments, remnants of the rainbow still visible.

Geese fly over the remnants of a rainbow at sea

Further along the beach, my attention turned inland to the Britannia monument for Lord Horatio Nelson. This a monument I often gaze at when I visit Great Yarmouth. It is magnificent. Sadly it is situated on the outer edge of the town, incongruously in the middle of an industrial estate.

Sunset at the Britannia Lord Nelson Monument

And then the light and ambience changed yet again. Luckily I looked back as I walked away to see a bird and airplane fly simultaneously past the monument in different directions.

These are the moments that make the photographer in me smile.

Monument flights

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Romping across the marshes.

Marston Marshes just outside of Norwich is one of our favourite romping grounds. A quick car ride away from the Wensum, and before we know it, we are next to the Yare, romping along, looking out for the gliding barn owl, a hovering Kestrel, or Kingfishers. We are always hopeful we might see an otter too, but so far no luck.

People often stop to tell us about the Parakeets who are to be seen high up in the trees. Everyone you meet at Marston Marshes is, like we are, enthralled by the nature to be seen there.

James stops frequently to photograph wild flowers for his Instagram account, right now, there are many autumnal ones appearing: sloe berries, acorns, elderberries, blackberries, hops, and lords and ladies (which are toxic but pretty). You can also find Ragged Robin and Southern Marsh Orchid.

More recently Longhorn cattle were grazing the marshes – a real treat to see.

It is magical ducking the ancient tree branches hanging over the Yare, their twisted trunks bending with age and weight would have many a tale to tell if they could speak, I am sure. I like to imagine the likes of Kett’s men taking a breather here, but I’ve no idea if Marston Marshes was ever on their route. It feels like you are entering the tunnel of trees into another ancient, mystical world. Sometimes I half expect to see someone dressed in medieval attire coming the other way, perhaps with their lunch in a knapsack…

Marston Marshes is a 64 acre nature reserve on the southern side of Norwich in the flood plain of the River Yare where we have been reliably informed by fishermen there are pike, perch and bream to be found. Swans glide along serenely and this summer it was lovely to watch the Swan’s nest take shape. I am sure there is much more wildlife and nature for us to spot and that is why this place has become so addictive.

Our favourite time to visit is at dusk to watch the barn owl hunt his circuit. It’s peaceful and as you can see from my images the light can be positively dreamlike. I don’t always take my DSLR, all of these were shot on my iPhone.

If you are ever over Marston Marshes way, be sure to visit, like us, you are bound to fall in love with it.

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You may also like my River Wensum Photo Series.

Norwich Lanes Summer Street Fayre 2022

When a vibrant community comes together, it can achieve anything.
Norwich Lanes Street Fayre 2022.

This is the first time I’ve ever wandered through Norwich Lanes Summer Street Fayre (I am ashamed to say). This week Norwich seemed to burst alive with the Royal Norfolk Show, the Lord Mayor’s Show, the Duck Race and the Lanes Street Fayre. Seeing the crowds: everyone happy and enjoying themselves, was pretty emotional. This feels like the first time Norwich has been able to properly celebrate being free again after all the pandemic woes. It was a show of strength in community and certainly in our business community too.

The Norwich Lanes Street Fayre has been operating for 14 years and is said to attract up to 20k visitors. There seems to be real trend towards shopping with independents again which is heartening to see. Norwich has some mighty fine independent businesses that’s for sure!

Congratulations Norwich and Norfolk! I know some people have their criticisms, always expecting more, but given the fact this fine city and county are still trying to get through the after effects of the pandemic, a cost of living crisis, and what seem like never ending road works, this week proved this fine city, this fine county and all of its fine people are strong and determined to continue to thrive.

Here are some images I shot, next time I will be more prepared and hopefully have more time.

If you would like to use any of the images, please email me at MyriadLifeBooks@gmail.com

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