There’s been a frost during the night, it’s still only 3 degrees now. This is the result of a cold sector that’s
only going to last for a brief period between some nasty occluded fronts with lots of rain. We can only afford a brief visit to the Harbour so it’s a quick walk between Dell Quay and Copperas.
It’s a typical Autumn day, most of the leaves have fallen but there’s still enough on some branches to show winter has not taken it’s grip yet. The Oak trees are particularly reluctant to loose their leaves but another strong wind and those that are left will be joining the many already on the ground.
It’s boggy underfoot, there are deep puddles of water slowly draining through the undergrowth into the harbour. On the path where countless walkers have churned the earth into mud it’s treacherous, without well fitting boots you’d be liable to loose a shoe. Pity those who insist in going out in trainers, it may be fashionable but not practical. It’s not surprising that paths have been made into the set aside to avoid the mire.
The tide is well out but it’s only a neap tide so there’s plenty of water
in the channel for the duck and geese which line the edges. Every now and then a group of Brent Geese take off, briefly get into formation, then drop down onto the adjacent field. The young grass must be attractive, as large numbers are suddenly arriving. It’s 9 o’clock so must be breakfast time for these geese; in the space of a few minutes the harbour empties as they all follow their leader flying from roost to feed. The same is happening at the head of the harbour, skein after skein is flying south along the channel, wheeling round to face the light breeze, flare then drop into any space left that’s close to the others. As we leave there’s an increasing cacophony of noise from the dark grey mass that’s covering the field.