This is a group of Variable Oystercatchers
Val thinks that they always look very purposeful and professional – in stark contrast to the squawking hordes of gulls – as they go about their steady work of combing the sands for crustaceans.
This morning they were standing still in contemplation: ‘weighing up t’ job’ as they used to say when I worked for the Lancashire County Council one summer.
The trees and general look of the countryside are different in New Zealand. It might sound obvious, but as we were walking along the familiar footpath beside the sea, I was looking at tree shapes that would be totally unfamiliar back in the UK. There are the Pohutukawa Trees, some tall palm trees, large bamboo groves and the Norfolk island pine tree, which should interest Val, as she comes from Norfolk. (Oh dear, he should know Lowestoft is in Suffolk..)I bet she never realized it was an island though!
I saw this store from far off and had to go in and take a look. At first glance I assumed it must be a service for those who were incontinent.
I asked my question. The assistant giggled. They were selling products to deal with mould and mildew, pesticides etc.