Kelling Quags

This weeks 'ramble' was a short amble around Kelling Quags.

Situated next to the shingle coastal bank below Kelling, this freshwater marsh reserve, covering 14 acres (5.7ha), has been a reserve since 1984. It is the most easterly of the long chain of coastal fresh marshes in North Norfolk and is one of our favourite walking destinations from Bridge Cottages.

A good two hour round trip on foot from the cottages but it is only a couple of minutes by car to the car park in Kelling village from where it takes a further ten minutes to reach the Quags on foot along a a green lane.

The Quags are usually very quiet with only the odd walker or birder to be seen and seem far removed from the busy spots further along the coast at Cley and Salthouse.

There is always something of interest to view especially in the autumn and spring. When I visited this week there was a nice group of Black Tailed Godwits on the flooded part of the meadows alongside a pair of Knot, Little Gull, two Spotted Redshanks and a small number of Teal. A sizeable and very noisy charm of Goldfinches were feeding on the dead thistle heads. A Comma butterfly was noted amongst the brambles.

Over the past two years a Bittern has been occasionally seen amongst the sedge bordering the water meadows and a Spotted Crake attracted the 'serious' birders in 2005.

For most of the year though it is a very quiet and tranquil spot.

It is also possible to sea watch from the shingle bank which is only a couple of minutes walk further along the track.

A return trip to the car or cottages via Muckleburgh Hill rewards you with fine views along the coast to Blakeney Harbour and beyond.

North Norfolk Railway Steam Gala

The annual late summer Steam Gala on the North Norfolk Railway - 'The Poppy Line' seems to have been a real success this year. The gala timetable was operating from the 31st August until the 2nd September.

Holt Station, which is only a very short distance from Bridge Cottages, was absolutely packed with enthusiasts and visitors when I went along to see some of the engines for myself on the Saturday.

The real star of the show was David Shepherd's loco 92203 'Black Prince' which was making a guest appearance on the line. Built at Swindon in 1959 at the end of the steam era it is one of only two British Rail 9F class loco's still running.

Even at the relatively sedate speed it was allowed to reach on the NNR it still made for a very impressive sight as it passed by Bridge Cottages.

Thanks to Ian Bosworth for the photo shown here which was taken from 'our' Bridge 299. Ian and his family were enjoying their summer holidays at Bridge Cottages whilst the gala was in progress.

Bridge Cottages are a great base for an extended visit to the North Norfolk Railway and we are always happy to provide information about the special events that are organised by the railway throughout the year.