Norfolk photography – MyriadLifeBooks

Picture this…on the Norfolk Broads

With the Norfolk Broads only 15 minutes down the road from me, I have a wealth of photographic inspiration to call upon.

A few years ago, I spent a lot of time on the Norfolk coast, and I still love visiting when I can, but living in Norwich, I now realize I have never investigated the Norfolk Broads nearly thoroughly enough.

Sure, over the years I have been on day boats and shot my fair share of images, but it’s only since the 2020 pandemic that I have begun to truly appreciate all the Norfolk Broads have to offer. This is also thanks to my boyfriend who really loves the Norfolk Broads, having sailed them since he was a boy. He knows them well, and has been a good guide. He is my spotter, my extra pair of eyes. I recommend a good spotter when you are out taking photographs. I know I would have missed kingfishers, owls, deer and much more had I not had him by my side. He loves nature, and has taught me so much. While I’m staring at the sky, working out composition, or trying to attain the best angle, he is shouting at me to look to the right, the left, north, or just by that bush or tree!

The images shown above, are of St Benet’s Abbey ruins, winter sunsets reflected in streams near the Abbey and a view of Thurne Mill beneath a sail. All are available to buy via the link. Choose your format/frame/mount colour – free UK delivery.

A picture is worth a thousand words so they say. It is hard to convey the real beauty of places in one picture. But also, quality over quantity, so it’s important to consider each image carefully, to show the scene uniquely from your own viewpoint.

Although of course, I want to sell my work, I don’t solely think about this when I am out photographing in the wilds of Norfolk. When I am out on the marshes, my primary goal is to create something unique. To grasp a moment in time that will never happen again and show it.

While (hopefully) there will be many more sunsets to enjoy, the sky will never quite look the same as it did on the evening I shot the images above. This makes them truly unique. There will never be a moment again when I capture Thurne Mill from this exact spot, beneath a sail. The light will never fall exactly as it did on St Benet’s Abbey ruins from this exact angle.

This is what addicts me to photography, the uniqueness of each moment, and the image created from it.

Please subscribe to be kept updated with my photographic adventures. They aren’t always in Norfolk, soon I will be off to the Isle of Wight. I haven’t been there since I was a child…

The Norfolk Broads Wall art Kingfisher – Windmill – Owl

Canvas mounted prints – please visit the individual links for alternative colours/formats and more details.

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Barton Turf’s winter slumber

Barton Turf on the Norfolk Broads – photo blog

The Norfolk broads aren’t only beautiful in summer, they have their charms all year round.

On a recent visit to Barton Turf, I pondered as to why people don’t take their boats out in winter too. There is so much to see and the vast Norfolk skies are spectacular all year round. You can see so much wildlife: owls, swans, geese, birds of prey, and sometimes, if you are really lucky… an otter.

I know the skies look threatening in the pictures above, but all you have to do is wear the right gear to fend off the raindrops and wind.

We discovered the boardwalk to Barton Turf broad this weekend. Such vast waters in which to enjoy the sky reflections. A magical and peaceful spot. I can’t wait to return as spring develops. It’s easy to access via wheelchair. I also spotted metal signs in braille.

Dogs aren’t allowed, other than assist dogs, so bear that in mind if you are visiting. I think this is because of concerns for the wildlife. I know this may upset some dog owners, but I’m sure they would appreciate that not all are responsible.

If you are planning to take photographs, I would recommend visiting early morning or late afternoon. This is when you will get the best light, and you are likely to see and hear more wildlife.

Stop, enjoy the peace. Take time to listen out for birdcall. The Norfolk Broads are made to be loved and appreciated.

Barton is the second largest of the Norfolk Broads at 0.6332 square miles, the largest broad in the Ant Valley. You can read more details about it here at NorfolkBroads.com

Scroll down to take a little walk down the boardwalk with me.

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Below is a selection of just some of the Norfolk Broads collection available at my Redbubble store. Check out the full collection of Norfolk Broads clothing and gifts here.

You will find: t-shirts, caps, hoodies, tech and pet accessories, phone cases, home decor, mugs, blankets, pillows, stickers and magnets, stickers, prints and stationery.

Worldwide delivery and quantity discounts.

From Kingfishers to Startled Deer

This is my week in photos. It has been an interesting week wildlife wise, spotting Kingfishers along the River Wensum, and deer startled by gunshots from a nearby pheasant shoot.

The Kingfisher’s were in low light (a cloudy day) and I used my small compact Canon which has an amazing zoom but doesn’t always get the sharpest shots as quite honestly, it’s a light camera and if there is nowhere to rest it on, I struggle to keep it 100% still. Nevertheless, it was good to get a couple of nice images. I don’t purport to be a wildlife photographer, I just photograph what I see at the time.

We first spotted the Kingfisher just past Carrow road bridge, sitting on one of the wooden marker posts. He flew off before I could snap him there, but further down the river we could hear high-pitched chirps. We stopped awhile and spotted two together sitting on branches just above the water.

Kingfishers are a magical sight, their colouring is spectacular. They flit about quickly so you have to be sharp with your reactions.

On Saturday, we were driving out to Barton Turf and spotted a herd of deer in the middle of a field. We wondered what they were doing there, but with the sound of gunshot from the next field, it was obvious they were keeping together for protection.

A trip to Raveningham Hall gardens to see snowdrops and aconites, was another highlight of this week. After our Walsingham trip a couple of weeks ago, I was keen to see more snowdrop displays. This also meant a reunion with my pal Norfolk landscape photographer Stephen Mole – check out his work, he’s brilliant!

See more images of our Raveningham visit here.

I publish Norfolk notebooks and you can find my prints and merchandise via Photo4Me and Redbubble, and Amazon as well as on this website.

If you have a book or photography project you would like help with, please feel free to contact me. My rates are reasonable…

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Plan your days Norfolk Style

New daily planners for 2023 have just been released in my Amazon store.

Norfolk scenes feature on the covers so you can enjoy your favourite Norfolk view every day. The current collection includes: Wells-next-the-sea, Stiffkey, Winterton-on-sea, Cromer, Salthouse and Blakeney. There are also Norfolk seals, and the beautiful and rare Swallowtail butterfly to enjoy.

Inside are 365 pages ready for you to fill in your daily schedule and priorities. Note important meetings or dates. Journal your water intake and what you eat. A handy way to note your moods and feelings too, what you are excited or grateful for. Keep an eye on the weather too.

The softback cover and internal pages are very tactile and the size (8.5x 11″) practical.

Ideal for personal or work use.

Perfect gift for anyone who loves Norfolk or go ahead and treat yourself. Click on the images below to buy. The link will take you to my Amazon store.

More books are on the way so please subscribe to see new notebooks, journals and planners as they arrive.

Fye Bridge

On a blissful summer’s evening walk along the River Wensum a couple of weeks ago, we came across one of the city’s ghostly storytellers regaling a sizeable group with tales of the women suspected of being witches who were ducked and drowned from Fye Bridge.

Matthew Hopkins, the Witchfinder General, and his colleague in terror, John Stearne, carried out the witch hunts between 1644 and 1647. You can read more about their evil endeavours at CulturaObscura.

The bridge itself looks innocently picturesque in the balmy evening light, but once it held nothing but terror for some of the folk of Norwich, mostly women, but also dishonest tradesmen.

Fye Bridge is the oldest known bridge site in Norwich. Even older than Bishop Bridge, the bridge was rebuilt in the early 1930’s, so it has a more modern appearance. The bridge site dates back to 1153, a timber structure replaced with stone in the early 15th century. You can see more details and images of the construction of Fye Bridge via George Plunkett.

Personally, I love the shape of Fye bridge, the low curves and contrasting brickwork. It’s nice to sit with a drink at the Ribs of Beef and watch river life glide by.

Fye Bridge shot from a Thorpe Island Canoe

Sometimes you can see Kingfishers doing a spot of fishing. I’ve heard otters are sometimes around, but we have yet to see one.

As with many old sites in Norwich, there are stories of a ghost. I will return to ghostly goings on in more detail as this Wensum series progresses, but the likelihood of me ever catching one on camera is extremely remote. If I ever do, the images will appear here first!

From NorfolkLive.co.uk—”Fye Bridge still stands today, and although the days of dunking suspected witches into the river are over, the bridge is said to be home to the ghost of a woman who was tried at the site. She was later burned for witchcraft at the nearby Lollard’s Pit, which is now a local pub. According to those who have had sightings of the ghost, she is dressed in rags and begs strangers to help her pick up a dropped bundle of sticks that were used to kindle the fire that killed her. It’s also believed that those that are kind enough to stop and help her will die in a fire within the year. “

It is always in my nature to help where needed, but I may avoid helping this ghost, I’ve far too many blog posts to get done yet!

The name Fye, comes from Magdalen Street which was originally called Fybriggate meaning the street leading to Fye Bridge. (Heritage Norfolk).

Please visit the sites I have linked for more information. I find the George Plunkett site particularly fascinating because of the old images of the bridges along the Wensum. It is well worth a look.

If you are interested to learn more of the history of old Norwich, the sites mentioned above give great information. Nick Stone of Invisible Works also makes for a fascinating and in depth read.

If you are new to Norwich I hope you will enjoy learning more about this fine city with its incredible history. If you already have lived here for years, I am sure like me, you are always learning new things about this remarkable place. Hopefully my River Wensum series will spark more interest and you will enjoy my images.

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Please see other posts in the River Wensum Series below. It begins with the bridges, and I will go on to write about the buildings and wildlife (including some of the humans) along the river.

Images of Bridges along the Wensum by MyriadLifePhoto

Please scroll down to find links to the other River Wensum bridges in this series.