22nd of May 2025
Exciting time of year, as usual wildlife galore engulfing Barn Drift and beyond; we are also loving noticing the spoonbills showing lots of interest again in Northforeland, the wood planted by my grandfather in 1951 north of Barn Drift – diligently building their nests for the 5th year running amongst the herons and egrets at the very top of the highest trees. Although we daren’t stop and stare as understand they don’t want any human interest at all! so no eye contact – better to watch them feeding on the marsh, heads down, bills swishing through the mud. Amazingly there is still some summer availability at Barn Drift – unheard of but dates slowly filing up so don’t leave it too late. Christmas is also still free but only until the 27th of December 2025 and Christmas 2026 is already booked. We’ve planted some holly’s in the old water tanks in front of the loos and showers by the Hangar and the native tree collections along the hedge are doling so well – credit to them, fully exposed to salt air and high winds. A friend in the village has been having a clear out and kindly passed on some pretty urns that we have positioned on the raised terrace – let me know what you think we should plant in them. Our beloved Cley church has lots of musical events throughout the summer and we are hosting the wonderful Wild Arts in the Hangar on the 9th of August – not to be missed! There’s a link for tickets in my bio on the @barndrift instagram account – The hangar lawn will be open for picnics all afternoon. See you soon, Alice x