Blogger: Erica Howe, Communications Manager
Earlier this week, on Bank Holiday Monday, I landed at Stanstead Airport. My ten day holiday had rapidly come to an end and as I walked through the arrivals gate and stood outside watching hoards of people excitedly wheeling their suitcase towards the check-in desk, I felt deflated to say the least.
The end of a holiday can always leave you feeling blue. I love Norfolk, but walking and hiking in the mountains of The Alps left me reconsidering my opinion of Mousehold Hill; a mild bump in the Norwich skyline in comparison. For 6 days I woke up to snow covered mountains and blue sky, where the alpine choughs dotted themselves along the skyline like chocolate sprinkles. These creatures became my daily dose of home comfort, circling above as if keeping a watchful eye on the action happening beneath.
The second leg of my holiday took me to Denmark, where the sheer amount of swallows took me by surprise. They were everywhere! Swooping in front of me, chattering endlessly in the distance ensuring that my soundtrack to the holiday was this nimble summertime creature. Upon my return to the UK, and to my house in Norwich, the swifts and the swallows were long gone; off to warmer climates for some winter fun!
Starting back at work this week reminded me of that childhood feeling of going back to school after those glorious six weeks of the summer holiday! That feeling of rejuvenated energy and of wanting to catch up with your friends. Admittedly, as a child I was more excited about my shiny new pencil tin and showing off my new school shoes than going to the lessons themselves, but that’s besides the point!
Barely even unpacked and I’m off to the coast this weekend to have some quality time in the Norfolk countryside. I know it’s not exactly exotic and there are no mountains to climb, but there is something magical about the air on the cusp of a turning season. Yes, the swallows are no longer on our little island, and the butterflies are becoming scarce, but there is definitely excitement in the atmosphere. I can’t wait to go and stand on the beach at RSPB Titchwell Marsh and feel the crispness in the air. To watch the long blades of grass ease back and forth with the breeze as if whispering to each other. In a few weeks there will be different colours adorning our trees and wonderful wildlife arriving to our shores. It may not be a nice feeling returning from a summer break, but it certainly re-ignites your passion for the place you call home.
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Photo: alpine chough. Credit: David Norton (rspb-images.com)
Article in Eastern Daily Press on Saturday 3 September 2011