The Reflecting Skin: Norvic House

The blue-glazed office block of Norvic House, overlooking Norwich's Chapelfield Gardens. I can't tell if the entire block is currently empty, but most of it does appear to be available to let.

I've never liked this building, and am unsure as to why. I think it has to be down to its distinctive reflective surface - coming across simply as a mirrored surface, it doesn't seem to have much of a personality of its own. Even if occupied, it maintains its coldness. The incessant passing traffic reflected in its skin provides a car showroom vibe, an industrial-estate feeling echoing from its walls.

Hello Down There: The Sheringham Park Gazebo

I love seeing the world from man-made high places. I find something strangely moving about seeing the unfolded world from the unnatural perspective of, say, the top of a multi-storey car park, a church tower, or a block of flats.

Anyhow. The gazebo in Sheringham Park. The park, known for its varieties of rhododendrons, has several smaller viewing stations and platforms overlooking the gardens. Not particularly one for flowers, however, it is this tower that I'm more interested in. Opened in 1988 by the Prince of Wales, it is relatively obscured by the surrounding trees although still offers a great view of the coast. The windmill at Weybourne, the North Norfolk Railway steam trains, numerous churches, Blakeney Point, and even Wells-Next-the-Sea can all be seen from the blustery tower top. As could a moody-looking storm coming in off the North Sea.

No Entry

Simple enough instructions, I guess.

Nightwatchman

The old scoreboard at the grounds of the UEA Cricket Club.

The Kissing Bridge at UEA

I've always found this small footbridge over the River Yare in the grounds of the UEA to be a cute, strangely romantic structure. I don't really understand architectural style, but it nevertheless seems to me to have a Parisian or Venetian vibe. Anyhow. I don't seem to be entirely alone - the graffiti scratched into the railings, rather than overtly agressive and territorial, is overwhelmingly of the 'X loves Y' variety.

A small plaque nearby informs us that this bridge was presented to the UEA by Atlas Aggregates Ltd in May of 1979.

Boots

Not something I found in a grotty abandoned hellhole, but a pair of my old boots from the shed... Of (minor) relevance here as they were last worn the previous summer, tramping around the derelict Deal Ground in the midst of an apocalyptic thunderstorm. I had to take both shoes off and pour the water out of them at one point. Don't say I, or my clothes, don't suffer for my hobby.

Walcott Rust

Rusted pieces of twisted sea defences on the beach at Walcott, a small village on the north Norfolk coast that was damaged massively during the floods of 1953.