GR translation: Gulls cruise slowly against the high windowless brick walls

[Mike Jing]

V115.12-14, P117.20-21   Tire tracks in the slush have turned to pearl,
mellow pearl. Gulls cruise slowly against the high windowless brick walls
of the district.

The published translation takes it as the gulls are almost hugging the
walls. That can't be right, can it? I always thought "against" here means
"against the background."