Monday 12th May 2025 - Looking for Sand Martins and the Coastguard on the Rock Armour

As much as we are enjoying the sun and blue skies, there is no denying a drop of rain would be appreciated.  Not just for our garden but the farmers too, who are resorting to irrigating their crops.  Until we do get some rain, we are watering our garden, in particular, Peter’s vegetable plot.

What has to be one of my favourite wild birds are back in the village.  The other day, four swifts were squealing as they flew across the top of Cliff Road.  I am hoping they are the first of many which will grace our skies this summer.  We read in Crab Tales; the sand martins are back nesting in Trimingham’s cliffs.  Yesterday was such a lovely afternoon and with the tide in our favour we walked along the sands in the direction of Trimingham, stopping periodically to scan the cliffs, in case they were also nesting in Sidestrand.  We couldn’t see any and before we could get as far as Trimingham our way was blocked by sea water pools at a gap in the groynes and the far side of the revetments, so we had to turn back.  You can see from the photo below, this is such a lovely quiet area of the North Norfolk coast – but keep this to yourselves so it remains this way! 

Approaching the rock armour, below Clifton Way, we could see people on the rocks.  It wasn’t until we got closer, we could see they were members of the Coastguard.  I don’t think they were on a ‘shout’ (rescue).  Given how many were there it was more likely a training session.  Presumably, training in case anyone fell between rocks and this type of ‘accident’ would not be restricted to here in Overstrand.  There is no need to climb on the rock armour, if you have misjudged the times of the tides and are in effect, cut off.  There is now a path which takes you round the back of the rocks but then, I suppose there is always going to be someone who thinks it’s fun to clamber over the rock armour.