Rather unstable weather at present, showery but not really enough rain to relieve the drought so far. As it looked reasonable at that time we took a chance to walk along the coast to Ellen Nore, it was the first time in three months.

The tide was right out as Low water was only minutes away leaving huge stretches of mud that glistened in the weak sunshine. The scattering of moored boats either side of the channels relieved the monotony and would make a good watercolour subject. The little beach on the way was empty and in the distance was a single yacht anchored off East Head; must have been idyllic staying on board there.

The path was very dry, so was the growth beside it. We’d missed seeing most of the patches of Poppy in flower as they’d turned to seed with one exception, this lovely flower. If I’m not mistaken this is an opium poppy, so different from the bright red or yellow varieties. I wonder how it got there?

The bay at Ellen Nore was delightful but a few people there spoilt it’s magic; one woman had insisted on walking along the spit with three dogs off the lead. Even though there might be foxes about, there
certainly wouldn’t be any nesting birds with her disturbing them.

At the Church we found it open for the first time since the start of the lockdown. The most recent relaxation has been to allow places of worship to open for individual prayer. The sign on the door is characteristic of these unusual times.

On the way back past the ponds I was just about to accept that not much was happening when I heard
a call that I’d not heard before. There were several Avocets in the water with one flying about making its very characteristic call. Two groups of three seemed to be enjoying themselves splashing about in the shallows but no chicks seemed to be present. I’ve not seen them here before but it might be a good spot to breed before they go south for the winter.