North Burlingham open gardens

With neighbours Sue and Peter, Linda and I took a seven mile nature ramble across the Heath to the hamlet of North Burlingham, where many of the residents had opened their gardens to the public.

The walk took us through several of the belts of woodland created as reserves over the past twenty years, and we were pleased to come across Turtle Dove, Buzzard,  Painted Lady and an early White Admiral. The gardens themselves, although beautifully manicured, added some delightful wildlife to the day's tally, including Smooth Newt, Broad-bodied Chaser and Common Blue Damselflies in their hundreds.

Following veggie burgers and ice cream (and an interesting version of 'I put a spell on you' by a duo of local musicians) the afternoon finished with a visit to Nth Burlingham Church. This has some delightful medieval carvings of angels and a rood screen decorated with paintings of saints.

As we picked up the car from friends Joyce and Andrew's house near Hemblington Church, we were delighted to see a Hummingbird Hawkmoth nectaring by their front door!