Sunrise over Iken Church

I'd so wanted to watch the sun rise while we were away, and was afraid that it was going to be just like Orkney, when we didn't have a decent sunrise or sunset all week. But when I awoke early, the sky was clear, so i roused Pete and we made the effort to drive down to the Alde estuary, just a few miles away.

We arrived a little before sunrise, and eventually found a spot that was free of trees and other obstructions. It was hard to believe that the weather could be so different - calm and clear with just a slight breeze, but unfortunately no atmospheric mist!

As the sun rose the estuary was filled with light and we could see large flocks of black-tailed godwit feeding on the mud. Something must have disturbed them (possibly a marsh harrier) and suddenly the air was filled with wheeling birds, performing a complicated and graceful dance before landing on the far side of the river.

We returned back to the cottage for coffee, very happy, though a visit to Saxmundham for shopping soon brought us back to reality! By the time we had breakfasted and got the rest of the crew out, the clouds had gathered and we endured another day of dull grey skies, although at least it didn't rain.

We had an interesting (and rather long) walk round the RSPB reserve at North Warren, where I twisted my ankle, and then went on to a tea-shop at Thorpeness where I managed to shut the car-boot onto my head. I think the early start had affected my co-ordination!

We dropped in to the Alde estuary again on the way home, and had good views of little egrets and a common seal, as well as some other waders, but the tide was really a bit low and they were quite widely dispersed. Pete cooked a lovely meal back at the cottage and then I'm afraid we all flopped out in front of the television - too exhausted for any family games!!