Flint Country

by

We live in the land of flint, but far removed from the lifestyle of the Flintstones. However, the facades of our houses are made of flint, our churches are characterised by it, and our daily routine takes us past countless flint walls. Nevertheless, we had to admit that we only really understood the stony beauty of our region after reading the book – “Flint Country” by Laurence Mitchell.

Wir leben im Land der Feuersteine, aber weit entfernt vom Lifestyle der Familie Feuerstein. Jedoch die Fassaden unserer Häuser bestehen aus Feuersteinen, unsere Kirchen sind von ihnen geprägt, und unsere tägliche Runde führt uns an zahllosen Feuersteinmauern vorbei. Dennoch mussten wir uns kürzlich eingestehen: So richtig verstanden haben wir die steinige Schönheit unserer Gegend erst mit einem Buch – “Flint Country” von Laurence Mitchell.

We were convinced that we knew our homeland. But as Siri astutely remarks: ‘Self-knowledge begins where half-knowledge ends.’ And Laurence’s book came just at the right time. Laurence Mitchell, whom we know as an adventurous travel writer with wanderlust – after all, he has written about Kyrgyzstan, which Lonely Planet named the trend travel destination of 2019 for good reason – does not devote himself here to the wider world, but to the seemingly familiar: his home in the east of England, or “Flint Country”. An area he has explored on foot for years and about which he has written several walking guides, including “Slow Norfolk and Suffolk” and “Walking in Norfolk – 40 Circular Walks”.

Dabei waren wir überzeugt, unsere Heimat zu kennen. Aber wie Siri spitz bemerkt: „Selbsterkenntnis beginnt dort, wo das Halbwissen endet.“ Und da kam Laurence’ Buch gerade recht. Laurence Mitchell, den wir als abenteuerlustigen Reiseautor mit Fernweh kennen – immerhin hat er über Kirgisistan geschrieben, das Lonely Planet nicht ohne Grund als Trendreiseland 2019 kürte – widmet sich hier nicht der weiten Welt, sondern dem scheinbar Altvertrauten: der ostenglischen Heimat, eben ‘Flint Country’. Eine Gegend, die er sich jahrelang erwanderte, und über die er einige Wanderführer wie unter anderem ‘Slow Norfolk and Suffolk‘ und ‘Walking in Norfolk – 40 Circular Walks‘ schrieb.

In this book, we learned more than just geology – although that is also presented in an exciting way. Did you know, for example, that flint was formed around 80 million years ago from the silica of fossilised sponges? We didn’t. And that these black, often sharp-edged stones are hidden under a layer of limestone? They were used for tools and arrowheads before metalworking.

In diesem Buch lernten wir mehr als bloße Geologie – obwohl auch diese spannend aufbereitet ist. Wussten Sie zum Beispiel, dass Feuerstein vor etwa 80 Millionen Jahren aus dem Silica fossiler Schwämme entstand? Wir zumindest nicht. Und dass sich diese schwarzen, oft scharfkantigen Steine unter einer Kalksteinschicht verbergen? Sie wurden vor der Metallverarbeitung für Werkzeuge und Pfeilspitzen verwendet.

Church Lane and Fairstead in Cley next the Sea

Mitchell does not write in a dry or pedantic style. He turns his non-fiction book into a lovingly told journey through history, art, religion and literature. We particularly enjoyed his chapter on flushwork, a late medieval form of wall art in which carved flints are arranged into geometric patterns. This stone patchwork set together with white limestone can be admired in Norwich’s Guildhall – and now, after reading the book, we see it with new eyes.

Mitchell schreibt nicht trocken oder gar belehrend. Er macht aus seinem Sachbuch eine liebevoll erzählte Reise durch Geschichte, Kunst, Religion und Literatur. Besonders gefallen hat uns sein Kapitel über das Flushwork, diese spätmittelalterliche Form der Wandkunst, bei der behauene Feuersteine zu geometrischen Mustern gesetzt werden. In Norwichs Guildhall kann man dieses steinerne Patchwork aus schwarzem behauenen Feuerstein und weißem Kalkstein bewundern – und jetzt, nach der Lektüre, sehen wir es mit neuen Augen.

Anyone who thinks that “Flint Country” is only for geologists or local historians is mistaken. Laurence Mitchell takes us to the famous round tower churches, which are unique to Norfolk and Suffolk. He pulls off a real trick: his book is both informative and poetic, and makes a great stylish travel guide – especially for people who want to explore the countryside with an open mind.

Wer nun denkt, “Flint Country” sei nur etwas für Geologen oder Heimatforscher, der irrt. Laurence Mitchell nimmt uns mit zu den berühmten round tower churches, jenen Rundturmkirchen, die in Norfolk und Suffolk einzigartig sind. Dabei gelingt ihm ein Kunststück: Sein Buch ist gleichermaßen informativ wie poetisch, und es lässt sich wunderbar als stilvoller Reiseführer verwenden – besonders für Menschen, die mit wachem Blick durch die Landschaften streifen wollen.

Dina-Hanne loved the atmospheric encounter with a magical hare.

We also like the cover and the black-and-white photographs in the book. They accompany the text discreetly but atmospherically – no glossy pictures, but atmospheric shots that act like little windows into the story. These are complemented by literary references from Defoe to Sebald, making the book a treat for bibliophiles.

Gut gefallen uns ferner das Cover und die Schwarz-Weiß-Fotografien im Buch. Sie begleiten den Text dezent, aber stimmungsvoll – keine Hochglanzbilder, sondern atmosphärische Aufnahmen, die wie kleine Fenster in die Geschichte wirken. Dazu gesellen sich literarische Bezüge von Defoe bis Sebald, so dass das Buch auch bibliophile Herzen höher schlagen lässt.

“Flint Country” is a declaration of love to an underrated region – full of knowledge, wit and literary subtlety. Siri and Selma – our book fairies – read it with great enthusiasm. And when you ask them if the book is worth reading, they just nod wisely and whisper: ‘A treasure made of stone.’ The book inspired us to take a closer look and gave Dina-Hanne in particular lots of ideas for photos.

“Flint Country” ist eine Liebeserklärung an eine unterschätzte Region – voller Wissen, Witz und literarischem Feinsinn. Siri und Selma – unsere Buchfeen – haben jedenfalls begeistert mitgelesen. Und wenn man sie fragt, ob sich das Buch lohnt, nicken sie nur weise und flüstern: „Ein Schatz aus Stein gemacht.“ Uns hat Buch inspiriert, genauer hinzusehen und besonders Dina-Hanne viele Ideen für Fotos gegeben.

“Flint Country” is available from Saraband Publishing or through bookshops. If you would like to read more about Laurence Mitchell’s travels and thoughts, we highly recommend his blog, East of Elveden: https://eastofelveden.wordpress.com

Flint Country ist erhältlich beim Verlag Saraband oder über den Buchhandel. Wer mehr über Laurence Mitchells Reisen und Gedanken lesen möchte, dem sei sein Blog East of Elveden wärmstens empfohlen: https://eastofelveden.wordpress.com

Mit lieben Grüßen aus dem Land der Feuersteine
Warm greetings from Flint Country

The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂



© text and illustrations, Hanne Siebers & Klausbernd Vollmar, Cley next the Sea, 2025

196 thoughts

  4. Glorious review and photos, dear Friends!
    I know North Norfolk quite well and truly enjoyed reading about Flint Country. It’s on my list and if I’m lucky to meet him, I’ll ask your friend Laurence Mitchell to sign it.
    I had to chuckle, reading “Self-knowledge begins where half-knowledge ends”, how true!
    How are the little terns doing this summer?
    Wishing you all a wonderful summer, speak soon.
    Kram
    Annalena xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Dear Annalena

      Indeed, most of the book is about the area where we live. Hanne and Klausbernd are also mentioned appropriately in the book.
      In the second comment here, you find a link showing much of our village – and Kb.

      The little terns do better than last year. Hanne will answer your question more precisely. She is a tern warden at the Blakeney Point (but you know that, don’t you?).

      And how are you? Are you going away or staying in your cosy stuga at the lake?

      With lots of love ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ to our dear friend
      KRAM 🤗 🤗
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Flint Country is dedicated to Laurence’s lovely wife Jackie and we do like the opening quote by Robert Louis Stevenson:
    “The great affair is to move: to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly: to come down off this feather-bed of civilisation, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.”

    We’re off to the Halfway House with Dina-Hanne now. On page 57 we learned that it provided inspiration for the haunted house of E.E. Benson’s 1925 Norfolk-set ghost story “A Tale of an Empty House”.
    🧚🏻‍♀️🌊🧚🏻‍♀️💫✨🌟💫
    Siri 😊 & Selma 😊

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Liebe Sonja,

      ja, das machen wir auch, Steine sammeln, die dann in den Garten kommen. Besonders sind wir auf runde Steine und Lochsteine aus. Es ist erstaunlich, wie selten wir echt runde Steine finden.

      Wir waren sehr beschäftigt mit der Organisation des Buchverkaufs auf dem Dorffest. Siri und Selma sind ganz stolz, dass wir an einem Tag über 1000 Bücher verkauften.

      Mit lieben Grüßen vom kleinen Dorf am großen Meer
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Joan

      Besides Hanne’s great pictures, you can find more pictures if you open the link in the second comment by Achim.

      Thank you very much.
      Lots of love from us all
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Like

    • Liebe Uschi, lieber Herbert

      ja, Cley ist super. Auf jeden Fall fühlen wir uns dort pudelwohl.

      Mit lieben Grüßen vom Meer
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Like

  12. The wonders of Norfolk flint! A great idea for a book to celebrate the famous building material, and some wonderful photos accompanying your article. Even in fairly modern Beetley Village, we have some fine examples of flint-pebble buildings.

    Love as always, Pete. X

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Thank you very much, dear Pete

      We suppose you know Cley and our pebbly coast. And even in your village are flint-pebble buildings – we didn’t expect this.

      We thought we knew a lot about our area and flint, but we learned much more from ‘Flint Country‘ about our surroundings. And Laurence can write well, so it is fun reading about everything about flints. For example, we were never aware that old firearms had flint locks.

      Cheers
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • It was the ubiquity of flint in Norfolk that aroused my interest in the first place. Rather than just focus on architecture or archaeology I attempted to write a sort of all-embracing cultural history of this all too familiar stone.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Per Magnus

      You are VERY welcome. Maybe we get Annalena to come here as well and so we meet like in old times.

      Thank you very much for your kind comment 🙏

      We’ll phone at the weekend. By the way, Klausbernd would like to visit you in Svalbard again. He needs his yearly portion of Arctic.
      Keep well
      Lots and lots of love
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Like

    • Liebe Martina

      toll, dass dir unsere kleine Rezension gefallen hat. Schön feuersteinig ist es hier. Wir lieben es. Auch wir leben in einem Feuerstein-Haus. Das hat den Vorteil, dass keine Wand verwittert.

      Es ist erstaunlich, wie viele interessante Fakten es über Feuersteine zu berichten gibt.

      Alles Liebe und herzlichen Dank
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you very much, dear Terry 🙏 🙏

      It’s fun to share these infos in our block, and we see that Laurence Mitchell liked it too. Therefore, his book is fun to read. And it is extremely well researched.

      Keep well
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  16. The book sounds fascinating and enjoyed your review and lovely pictures. I spent many hours when I was a kid, trying my hand at flint knapping arrowheads (don’t worry, never used and I think the forest animals would be very safe from my misshapen projectiles) and learned to appreciate not just the beautiful, symmetrical work of the earlier indigenous residents of this area, but also the handsome work of European builders. When flint stone is used clumsily, a wall can look like a mouth full of rotten teeth, but when it’s done with artistry it can be gleaming and very striking. Thanks for an interesting post.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Dear Robert

      We fully agree with you that flint knapping is quite an art. But in the old times, the people had more time to practice it. The tools made of flint were for ritual as well as for domestic use. Some were nicely polished and very well balanced. Not that far from us was an ancient flint mine. It’s already starts with the mining of the flint more or less in darkness.

      Even knapping flints for flushwork at walls isn’t easy. It’s a skill that has nearly died out.

      Thank you very much for letting us know your experience with flint knapping
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Laurence Mitchell, the book’s author, tried flint knapping as well.

      Liked by 1 person

    • I attempted a little knapping when I was writing the book. I don’t think that I had much talent for it as I found it quite counterintuitive. This gave me even more respect for those ancient people who produced such beautifully formed hand axes.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Margaret

      Thanks for your kind comment. The book is interesting to read even for somebody who doesn’t know ‘Flint Country’. Flint stones are not only used for architecture, but they were also used in firearms as flint locks and for tools and for use in rituals in old times.

      All the best
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you very much, dear John.

      Well, the English call it a ‘chocolate box village‘. We keep it like this. The village and district council give hardly any permission for new buildings. There was a quite rich theatre producer who built a house just at the edge of the village, but he had to demolish his house as it didn’t fit the planning rules, although he is a celebrity.
      If you want to see some more pictures of Cley, you can click the link in the second comment by Achim.

      Keep well and happy
      ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Fab Four of Cley in Flint Country,
    You just proved what I always say here – you not only create interesting posts, you educate me. Plus today, I found another interesting blog.
    Thank you.
    Have a wonderful week and stay healthy!
    GP

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Dear Mary

      Actually, we are a small village with around 500 people living there. But we have one of the best delicatessen in East Anglia and a great second-hand bookshop. Our church is a hub of culture with exhibitions of modern art and a lot of music with people from international orchestras. Cley next the Sea has a tradition of authors and other artists living here. There is a book and a website ‘Literary Norfolk’ where you can read about it.
      As the English say, “it’s a chocolate box village”. And we keep it like this.

      Thank you
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Mary

      I looked for quite a while for such a place, but it was luck as well. I was invited here and stayed. I came from living and working for seven years in Montreal. I liked Montreal as well. Great city.

      All the best
      Klausbernd 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Even if you live in Flint Country, dear Klausbernd, you’re not the Flintstones, are you? 😉😉😉

    I still fondly remember how wonderful it was staying with you.

    Liebe Gruesse ins kleine Dorf am grossen Meer,

    Pit

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Dear Pit

      I hope we are not like the Flintstone family.

      We love our village. It’s the first time in my life that I identify 100% with the place where I live.

      Wir erinnern uns auch gerne an euren Besuch – leider war Dina in der Zeit in Bonn.

      Mit ganz lieben Grüßen nach Texas
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Unfortunately, dear Hanne, we’re very reluctant to leave the US now. In the present political situation I cannot be sure that after leaving the country I’ll be allowed re-entry again. Much to our chagrin we’ve decided not to travel abroad for the next four (!!) years. Sh**!

      I blogged about that decision here:

      https://pitsfritztownnews.wpcomstaging.com/2025/04/13/future-travel-plans/

      But: you won’t believe it what Mary said to me just yesterday! She said that she could well imagine living in … Cley!!! Actually, I wouldn’t mind at all, too. Who knows what the future brings.

      Have a wonderful time, and best regards to Klausbernd, too,

      Pit

      Liked by 2 people

    • Lieber Pit

      die Lebensqualität hier ist hoch. Wir leben gerne hier, wenn es auch seinen Preis hat. Wo immer wir hinfahren, finden wir es billig. Aber wir fahren immer weniger weg und finden es nirgendwo so angenehm wie hier. Das einzige, wo ich es auch sehr angenehm fand zu leben, war in Montreal und im ländlichen Schweden.

      Wir waren seit ewigen Zeiten nicht mehr im Ausland.

      Liebe Grüße
      Klausbernd 🙂

      Like

    • Lieber Pit
      Das ist ja echt günstig. Ich kenne das Haus. Es hat eine schöne Lage und ist wirklich nur 5 min. von uns zu Fuß entfernt.
      Das wär doch was 🙂
      Ihr passtet bestimmt gut hier ins Dorf.
      Wir sind gespannt.
      Liebe Grüße
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Like

    • Dina, Siri und Selma riefen “voll cool!” aus.
      Wenn ich gleich nach unserer Bücherecke gucke, komme ich an dem Haus vorbei.

      Den Preis finden wir relativ günstig.

      We keep our fingers crossed
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Like

  29. I seem to have arrived in school for a hugely interesting lesson – Yes, thank you for telling us about the book but I am looking at the photos shaking my head as, saying hello from far-away Down Under, I know nothing at all about flint houses – bricks, timber, sometimes concrete > yes, but . . . much more homework is certainly needed . . . written hoping full health has returned over your way . .

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Dear Eha

      thank you very much.

      These flint houses and walls are very special for our area.

      Kb is more or less recovered now. Oh dear, it really took a while for him to walk around again, seven months.

      All the best to you
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  30. I see the German word for flint translates literally as firestone, which in the United States when capitalized is a famous brand name for tires. An English dictionary from 1913 notes that the lower-case firestone could mean ‘iron pyrite, formerly used for striking fire; also, a flint.‘ In addition, pertinent to England, it could be ‘a stone which will bear the heat of a furnace without injury; — especially applied to the sandstone at the top of the upper greensand in the south of England, used for lining kilns and furnaces.’

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  32. What a lovely post. You paint such a glorious picture of your area and nearby.
    When I returned home to Melbourne after a couple of years in the U.K. one of the things I missed most was that unique village atmosphere and lifestyle in the country. You can’t beat if for charm and interesting walks.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • We agree, dear Vicki.

      We lived all over the world, but we like it best in our English village.
      There is a special village atmosphere, and a lot of the villages are beautiful. There are numerous public footpaths throughout the UK for beautiful walks.

      Keep well
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you very much, dear Paddy 🙏 🙏

      Here, it’s a binding planning requirement that every house has to have flint walls. But anyway, new houses are forbidden to be built except on the grounds of old houses not falling under the conservation act. That keeps the village in style but also keeps the house prices up high.

      Cheers
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Good afternoon, dear Ute

      We agree, the flint houses give our village a real village feeling, especially as all houses have flint walls and a similar style. Every house is beautifully preserved. Well, sometimes we think Cley became too posh. On the other hand, it’s great living in such beautiful surroundings.

      Keep well ❤ ❤
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  36. I had to come back for a second look. When I think of Cley, it’s flintiness of the village that comes to my mind. It must be one of the prettiest villages I have ever visited. Which of course is also the connection to the sea and nature and the very special connectedness you only find in a small and strong community.
    I enjoyed reading about you and seeing the wonderful hare!
    Wonderful post, once again.
    Klem
    Per Magnus

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Our dear Friend
      Cley is special, even for English villages. We very much keep it as it is. Well, that’s the positive side of English conservatism.
      As the houses all fit here together, so do the locals. We have a nice, caring community.
      Hanne-Dina is after the seals into hares now. We have a whole room of hare stuff.
      Love xxxx from us all
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

    • Hi Terry

      Indeed, they did. They made axes to use as a tool and for ritual uses, and instruments for scraping and cutting. It helped that when knapping flint, you get sharp edges.

      Thanks for commenting
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  39. Pingback: Flint Country by FabFourBlog – East of Elveden

  40. I’m sure I must have studied the origin of flint back when I took geology at university, but either I’ve forgotten it or I never learned it in the first place. Since my late dad was a geologist, I find I’m fascinated by the formation of these black stones. What pretty facades they make on these buildings! Most of what we have here are brick (particularly Chicago brick) and limestone. And thank you for including that beautiful bunny — you remembered how much I love them!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Thank you very much, dear Debbie 🙏 🙏

      This flint architecture is typical of the North Norfolk coast.

      I studied geology as well, but I never heard of flint because I specialised in the ice age and the physics of ice.

      Hanne-Dina loves bunnies. She arranged a bunny room in our house. Last spring, she was always up in early morning to photograph the bunnies.

      Thanks and cheers
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  44. There is another book written by Laurence that we use quite often
    Laurence Mitchell ’15 Short Walks Norfolk. Broads and Coast.’ (Cicerone, Kendal 2025)
    We like that these walks are really short. Most are two hours or less. That is ideal for Bookfayries who are used to walking along bookshelves only.
    We highly recommend this little book
    Siri 🙂 and 🙂 Selma

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  45. A fabulous post. Photos and a wonderful book review from a magical part of these islands. We have only visited the area a couple of times but it remains as special location. Thank you FFB. 🙏

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  46. PS. I meant to add that you made a great choice in highlighting the book from Saraband. It’s a small publisher but they carry some exceptional books. Being a “northerner” one of my favourite authors of theirs is Jim Crumley, an exceptional nature writer! Have a great weekend. 😊😊

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Thank you very much, dear Ashley. Dina will surely have a look at Jim Crumley’s book. She is very much interested in nature writing.

      Have a great weekend, too
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Good luck Dina, he’s written many, about 40 I think, but if you enjoy following the four seasons there is a set of four: The Nature of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. 📚

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Ashley,
      Should you visit North Norfolk again, please do come and see us. We love it here and if we go away on holiday, we mostly go north, love Scotland, all seasons.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Ashley,
      Thank you for recommending Jim Crumley! I collect nature books and don’t know any of his many works, shame on me. I looked him up and what smitten after reading this introduction to Watching Wildlife, The Bit at the Start:

      https://www.jimcrumleynature.com

      His way of seeing and describing nature resonates deeply with me and I look forward to reading his books, starting with the Seasons. NWT Cley Reserve has a good collection of excellent nature books. We will explore their bookshelves this weekend and if I don’t find Crumley, I certainly will recommend him at the next book club meeting later this month.
      Many thanks once again,
      Dina-Hanne

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Dina and Kb, goodness, I didn’t realise he had his own website! I was actually introduced to Jim Crumley’s books when in Scotland for a holiday, many years ago. We spent a day in Aberfeldy where there is (?) a bookshop & cafe (watermill) but we’ve not been there recently, since before Covid! His way of observing nature reminds me of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book “Braiding Sweetgrass”. Do you know the book? There is a chapter “Learning the Grammar of Animacy: To be native to a place we must learn to speak its language” that blew me away! 🤩 It is also how Jim Crumley approaches observation.
      I fear it will be sometime before we return to Norfolk as we now live in Northern Ireland and my wife’s health is on hold, waiting for a heart operation. Our last visits there were to Wells-next-the-sea. We once did a weekend printing course there which was magical. At the time we lived in St. Albans, so it was relatively easy to drive to Norfolk. If we do make it back, we will certainly call in!😊

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Ashley,
      We’re sorry to hear about your wife’s heart problem. Fingers crossed that she won’t have to wait too long for an operation!

      This is the second time in a short while that someone mentions Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book “Braiding Sweetgrass”. It’s on my list and I look forward to reading it. The Cley book club at NWT Cley reserve discussed it before I joined them and it was well received. Recently a member said, of all the nature books they have been reading, it’s the book she has taken the most from.

      We will be visiting Norwich soon and a long stop at Waterstones is always on the list. They have an excellent Nature department. I have my eyes peeled for Jim Crumley wherever I go now. 😊

      “There are no new themes for a writer, only new ways of setting down old themes, new eyes to wander among old rocks.” – Jim Crumley

      Best wishes, Dina

      Liked by 2 people

    • I completely agree: Jim Crumley is a fine writer and I am delighted that we share the same publisher. Many of Saraband’s books focus on Scotland and the north of England so I am delighted they allowed me to write about my own home patch in East Anglia.

      Like

    • Good morning, dear Linda

      It is very relaxing to live in such charming surroundings. Where ever you go, we only have three streets, it’s beautiful.

      Thanks, and happy weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  48. Siri, wie bist du klug!

    Cley und ihr alle seid in meinem Herzen, das klingt hoffentlich nicht kitschig…

    Habe gegoogelt, flint=Feuerstein, also flintstone=feuersteinstein? Doppeltgemoppelt? Und wieso nicht firestone?

    Fire-stone-wall, Flintwall…ach, egal…

    Diese alten Häuser haben Charakter, sind einfach klasse! Und das Meer ist weit genug entfernt…

    Erinnere mich noch gut an den Rundgang im Dorf und an die Hochwassermarkierungen an den Hauswänden.

    Und euer Kamin funktioniert prima, keine Brandgefahr von innen.

    Es ist mehr als erstaunlich, was ihr von eurem Flintstone Haus aus alles bewirkt!

    Und, dass er euch in seinem Buch erwähnt, wundert mich nicht.

    Unvergessliche Begegnungen!

    Herzliche Grüße vom Pialein

    Freue mich auf zwei Wochen Erholung im rustikalen Odenwaldhaus…weg von Tech…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Danke, liebes Pialein, für deine lieben Worte.

      An deinen Besuch erinnern wir uns noch immer gerne. Das Haus haben wir seitdem umgebaut. Was der Gästetrakt war, ist nun unsere große Bibliothek und Dinas Ossarium. Sie sammelt Knochen und alles, was mit Seehunden verbunden ist.

      Zum Glück liegen wir mit 10m über NN über der Hochwasserlinie. Selbst bei der verheerenden Flut von 1953 kam kein Wasser zu der Stelle, wo unser Haus steht. Und jetzt haben wir ein Schleusensystem und Vorfluter, so dass der Ort wenig gefährdet ist – zumindest nicht zu unserer Lebenszeit.

      Christine erzählte uns begeistert von dem fünfeckigen Grundriss deines Ferienhauses. Na, da ist doch was!

      Wir hoffen, dir geht es gut und deine Kiddies schwingen weiterhin froh mit dir ihr Tanzbein.
      Mit ganz lieben Grüßen von uns
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    • Jetzt hatte ich einen langen Reisebericht geschrieben…dann wurde er einfach nicht gesendet…mit Tech stehè ich auf Kriegsfuß…wie es aussieht…

      Hatte einen Link eingefügt…ich versuche es nochmal…man kennt meine Durchhaltekräfte…

      Liked by 1 person

    • In Kurzfassung: Es geht uns supergenialgut!!! Wir tanzen noch, aber es entwickeln sich wunderbare Gelegenheiten noch anders für Kinder da sein zu können.

      Als Tagesmutter z.B., mache eine Ausbildung bei ehemaligen Ballett-Muttis. Und auf dem schönen Höhenhof in Siedelsbrunn mit Joana und Carsten! Viele tolle Pläne…

      Die Leiterin des Trommer Hoftheaters saß bei Heidis Friseurladen zufällig neben mr. Heidi ist zufällig meine Nachbarin in Wald-Michelbach…

      Geschichten über Geschichten…bin gespannt!

      Macht es gut in eurem Dorf! Bis demnächst!

      Euer Pialien

      Habe vorhin Pfälzer Trauben aus dem Garten geerntet. Vielleicht stelle ich auf Status, dass man bei mir gesunde ungespritzte Trauben mit Kern abholen kann…

      Die Wespen sind gerade etwas empört…

      Liked by 1 person

    • Ja, mein Häuschen ist die Pentagonale des Odenwaldes…sehr ruhig am Waldrand gelegen, mit Kochkamin (dank Christines Rat…) und neuerdings gibt es Obst, Gemüse, Eier und Honig vom Höhenhof (Wald-Michelbach/Siedelsbrunn). Dort könnte ich im kleine Cafe arbeiten, selbst gebackene Kuchen anbieten, falls mir mal langweilig werden würde…Joana und Carsten und die anderen aus dem “Team Höhenhof” sind spitze!!! Es gibt auch Pläne mit der Psychosomatischen Klinik in der Nähe zusammen zuarbeiten…Yoga, Pilates, Sing- und Vorlesestunden, Tierbegegnungen etc. für Kinder und Erwachsene anzubieten, so viele Möglichkeiten…

      Die Leiterin des Trommer Hoftheaters saß ja zufällig neben mir bei Heidis Friseurladen, da stellte sich heraus, dass Heidi meine Nachbarin in Wald-Michelbach ist, wir uns allerdings noch nie dort begegnet waren…mit diesem Theater kann ich mir eine Zusammenarbeit auch sehr gut vorstellen. Es ist toll dort oben auf der Tromm, mit der neuen Himmelsleiter…

      Geschichten über Geschichten…

      Ab August lasse ich mich noch als Tagesmutter ausbilden. Sowohl die Leiterin des Kinderschutzbundes als auch die Tagesmutterkursleiterin hatten ihre Kinder zum Tanzen bei uns, viele Jahre lang. Bin gespannt…

      Ja, es wird noch viel getanzt, aber zukünftig möchte ich zusätzlich auch noch anders für Kinder da sein.

      Josilein unterrichtet die Großen abends im Tanz, tagsüber arbeitet sie als Erziehrein, ist noch in der dualen Ausbildung an der Anna-Freud-Schule, macht ihr Freude!

      Jonas ist Physio, im Miramar, das nun nach dem Großbrand wieder eröffnet hat und für Privatpatienten.

      ….nach langer Zeit mal wieder ein ausführlicher “Reisebericht” von uns…

      Oma bin ich noch nicht…

      Fühle mich gut! Habe gerade Pfälzer Trauben aus dem Garten geerntet, sie sind lecker mit Kernen!

      Vielleicht mache ich Gelee? Oder stelle auf Status, dass man bei mir Trauben abholen kann, so viele kann ich nicht essen….

      So, bis demnächst!!! Macht es gut in eurem Dorf!!!

      Euer Pialein

      Irgendwie spinnt die Like Funktion, fühle dich geliked!https://youtu.be/t2pvXqxlFq4?feature=shared

      Like

    • Das hört sich ja alles gut an, liebes Pialein.

      Ich musste erst einmal gucken, wo die Tromm ist. Dabei sah ich, dass ich in der Gegend früher einmal einen Sufi-Workshop mitgemacht habe bei einem aus dem Inayat Khan Clan.

      Liebe Grüße
      Klausbernd 🙂

      Like

    • Ja, ich sehe immer, wie ich noch ein Kind am Eisschalter in der Schlange stand und du vor mir…aber das entspringt wahrscheinlich meiner blühenden Fantasie…

      Wie auch immer, alles dreht sich weiter…

      Möge Frieden sein! Habe mit Onkel Erolf meinen Namen in das Holz des früheren Irene Turms geritzt, dieser Onkel Erolf war einer, sage ich euch Siri und Selma…

      Jetzt muss ich weiter machen… liebe Grüße vom Pialein nach Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Erolf ist ja ein schicker Name.

      Wir essen gleich Samphire (Seespargel) und Langusten. Voll Yummy!

      Alles Liebe xxxx
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Like

    • Ihr werdet es kaum glauben, aber es gibt jetzt i m m e r Seespargel an der Fischtheke bei Edeka in Wald-Michelbach, vor allem seit ich dort erzählte, wie gesund das Zeug ist!

      Guuuten Appetit!!!

      Übrigens hat Eda die Rolle der Libelle bei unserem Musical gespielt, ihr Opa ist der Sufi Meister in Ludwigshafen, habe das Laptop aufgeklappt, da spielte automatisch das Libellenlied ab…ich hasse das….kann man sich nicht erklären….lasst es euch schmecken!!! Ich lege mich auf die Liege… Rasen noch schnell gemäht…und ruhe mich aus!

      Liked by 1 person

  49. Dear Klausbernd, Thank you for introducing this book to us! “that flint was formed around 80 million years ago…”, how amazing!! Such a beautiful and peaceful walk through your photos.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Funny, we just finished reading a book ‘Stargazing’.

      We like geology as well. Not far from us, a lot of fossils were found. There was a swamp where a lot of animals like mammoths and Saber-toothed tigers were caught, and their fossilised bones were found. That’s from the times when England and continental Europe were connected.

      Thanks for commenting
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  52. tatsächlich kannte ich bisher nur Margaret Mitchell, aber nachdem die offizielle Sklaverei nun doch vom Winde verweht ist und nicht mehr, wie im Film, gefeiert wird (man weiß nicht recht, ob es nicht ein Revival gibt), können wir weitergehen. Ja, Stein ist durchaus vielfältig und -seitig, in diesem Fall auch scharfkantig. Berühmt die Obsidianäxte jener Nordamerikaner, die sich gegen die neuankommenden Immobilienhändler zur Wehr setzten.
    Dass aber der Feuerstein dort so beherrschend ist und für Mäuerchen, Kirchbauten und Häuserfronten herhalten muß, das war mir wirklich auch neu und das Buch scheint tatsächlich interessant zu sein.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Hi Gerlint
      Auch aus Feuerstein hat man einst hochpolierte, scharfe Streitäxte und Ritualäxte hergestellt. Im Buch wird die Parallele zu den Obsidianäxten erwähnt.
      Danke fürs Kommentieren
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you very much, dear John 🙏 🙏

      Unfortunately, flushwork is hardly done anymore. People who can cut the flint are dying out.

      And thanks for subscribing to our blog. It’s very much appreciated.
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  57. Wow!

    This is a fantastic article.

    You four have outdone yourselves. I had no idea a place like this existed in the world. It is gorgeous.

    I wish flint was still used. I appreciate the artistry as well.

    The only thing I knew about flint was that it was used for arrowheads and making fires.

    Thank you so very much. I learned a lot, here today!

    To the Fab Four of Cley:

    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  59. I have to admit, I had the theme song of the Flintstones playing in my mind at the beginning of reading this post, but the intrigue of the writing and understanding the Flint-rich landscape you capture here in words and photos quickly removed it 😂. Thank you for the review and introduction to “Flint Country,” both your post and Laurence Mitchell’s book have made me appreciate the remarkable history, art, and beauty of the Flint landscape. Dina seems to be able to find beauty wherever she points her camera, wonderful images. The flushwork and flint walls show how this local stone is woven into the region’s culture and history. And a tip-of-the-cap to Siri and her remark: ‘Self-knowledge begins where half-knowledge ends.’ This is something I should recite every day I wake up 😊! It’s always a joy to dive into your discoveries and inspiration!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I was an author and editor and taught linguistics at McGill University. Now I just enjoy life. My challenge is to do nothing and just relax. Sometimes I publish an article, I have written two books lately, but that was easy.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Igor

      I have written numerous books in my life, so writing these two books was a routine for me. The writing isn’t the problem nowadays; it’s the selling. Fortunately, my publisher’s connections help a lot.

      Thanks for the link. I have no idea about travel writing. The question is always how to get media coverage, talk shows, articles etc. and very important lecture tours and book signings. Years ago, I did a book for GoldmannRandom House about England that got filmed for the Swiss and German TV.

      Good luck
      Klausbernd 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • I can totally imagine it’s not easy to work on the sales cause it’s a totally different industry. I think the Travel Media Academy could be your podium to promote your books, and inspire fellow students as well. During the Masterclasses we also dive deeper how to pitch, get exposure, and sell our products or services.

      Let me know if you want to meet for a call to check if it’s the right fit for you. 🙂

      https://www.skool.com/digital-nomad-academy-6519/about?

      Warm regards,
      Igor

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Igor
      Excuse me, but my publishers and agents promote my books very well. My books are printed in 28 languages, and my agents have sold numerous secondary and film rights. I invest my royalties in high street bookshops. I am quite happy with my situation, and I am retired anyway. But thanks for your offer
      Klausbernd 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Actually, I try to cut down my work drastically, otherwise the taxman takes too much. I love it to have lots and lots of free time now. That’s the advantage of an author. Your copyrights ran on even if you don’t work.

      I don’t think that the writing is the problem for most authors. It’s the selling. Building a network of agents for foreign rights, having agents for secondary rights etc. And then how to book your royalties, where to invest etc.

      Anyway, I don’t need any assistance, thanks a lot. I have enough people working for me
      Klausbernd 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

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