Arch: Forgotten UEA Bridge

In the woodland grounds of the UEA, somewhere behind the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. Off a track that mainly seems to be frequented by dogwalkers is this little bridge, curving over what is barely a stream. I think in the summer months this pretty much dries up completely. I couldn't tell you its age or anything about it: at a guess, I'd assume this little site was once part of the grounds of Earlham Hall.

Whatever it is, I like this little arch. Equal part fairytale, equal part romantic.

Finding Beauty In Junk: Eagle Park, Norwich

Litter is a constant struggle in urban woodland or parkland. According to the local newspapers, a couple of months ago, local resident Sam Crouchman, fed up with the state of the nearby Eagle Park, turned community-minded litter-picking into an arts project. Rubbish found in the park was used as building materials for dens and small pieces of environment-based sculpture. A couple of pieces mentioned in the original Eastern Daily Press article - "a trio of fish dangling from a tree," "a wide-eyed owl perched on a branch" - I couldn't see, so either I didn't explore properly or they've been swiped. I'm kind of (pleasantly) surprised the pieces that do remain haven't been trashed (pun intended), actually, and it will be interesting to see how long these pieces last before they are broken down and simply become part of the polluted backdrop again, as opposed to standing apart from it.

'To Whomever Doth Find Me:' Cursed Wordsmiths and Derelict Cottages

A fairly gorgeous derelict cottage in the village of Bintree, Norfolk. Good light and cool paint-splashed walls, and, upstairs, an unusual find - held in place by a glass jar, a sealed envelope marked with the words 'To Whomever Doth Find Me' in flowery lettering. Naturally curious - and, I admit, glancing round me for signs of a body swinging from a noose - I tore it open.

Inside was a poem. Written by a figure calling him/herself The Cursed Wordsmith, there was also a note asking the finder to visit the author's Facebook page and there enter details of the poem - content, location found, etc - with the hope that others will be able to piece together the clues and find other poems left around similar locations in Norfolk. A literary treasure hunt, basically, and an undeniably cute idea. (According to said Facebook page, another poem has been found in a nearby ROC post, so perhaps the author is local to the Bintree / Twyford area with urbexy interests?).

Anyhow. Eyes peeled, people.