kpnut

Probably one of the many ‘laid up weeks’ while my boat was having work done. I’m catching up on my time out now.

Subject experts are needed at secondary school, otherwise lots of nonsense gets through. The idea for instance that a teacher of French can automatically teach Spanish is nonsense. Or because you teach maths, you can also teach business studies. BUT, and it is a very big BUT, primarily you have to be able to explain your subject in a multitude of ways to tap into everyone’s ways of thinking. I’ve worked with folk with PhD etc who just can’t communicate. But then that also applies to plenty of others without the highest qualifications.

Hemlock is also nasty stuff, poisonous if ingested. Why you would want to is anyone’s guess, it stinks. The ranger came and cut some down at How Hill yesterday, right by my boat and the pong was horrid. No visor worn while doing so. He did rake it up off the path afterwards.

Troyboy, I was wondering if you were down at all. I’ve seen loads of ‘spanners’ but not yours! You’ll maybe meet Finlay’s older brother if you keep an eye out for my boat. Liver and white. It’ll be my daughter and husband on board with tiny babe in arms. Or, hopefully not in arms if coming in to moor!

I do too Andrew. Didn’t save me on that walk mind you. Maybe we should be more ferocious still. Apart from long grass on moorings themselves, which is just part and parcel of amenity provision and open to interpretation, most of what we’ve been discussing falls under county council statutory responsibility, and is being neglected. Yep, and leaving everything long just allows strongly competitive species to take over, meaning far fewer of our more delicate native wild flowers surviving. Nettles, thistles, grasses all have their place in the ecosystem, but given half a chance they are thugs. I suppose it’s all similar to the establishment of Broadland carr. Neglect the maintenance and the environment evolves itself. Ok in evolutionary timescales, but I think most folk would prefer the navigation kept open and not left to silt up and turn into woodland over time. But the argument is more than keeping navigation open, it’s a fragile ecosystem and we neglect it at our cost. Much of the woodland up the river Ant and in the upper reaches of the Bure is due to poor maintenance of the reedbeds over many, many decades. Ok while it stays as wet carr, giving habitat for many rare localised species, but once it turns into dry oak woodland that fragile wetland habitat has gone. The loss of public footpaths means losing corridors for wildlife to move along (when we’re not thundering along with our sticks 😁), losing specific hedgerow plants that need certain amounts of light to thrive etc, so it’s not really about us at all but the ‘ways of the countryside’. I too will stop ranting now!

I’m down fleet dyke on a wild mooring, presumably one ‘made’ when the quay heading in chrisB’s photos was removed. The path around Upton marsh is always popular but from the river junction along to the first pump house it is very bad. I am presuming this is causing the noticeable lack of walkers. It also makes for an exhausting journey by those prepared to go along it. I don’t think it’s a case of underuse of paths, just vegetation growing faster than feet can keep pace with, hence the need for mechanical help! When I was out earlier and sitting by the little pond down Marsh Lane, two separate people came along to go along the footpath leading towards the edge of Pilson Green and Cargate Green. They both turned back as it was just too bad. I’d been along there in May and it was ok then. A stitch in time springs to mind. I did read somewhere that normal gear won’t cut grass etc when it gets above a certain height, so I suggest the answer is not to wait till it gets that high. No mow May is a shortsighted campaign in my view, from an ecological viewpoint as well as practical. It won’t be many weeks before we forget all our gripes again, as the vegetation dies down but in the meantime, it annoys me that simple jobs cannot be done properly by those whose responsibility it is to do them.

Most of the permissive paths I come across, which are not public footpaths as such but farmers allowing folk across due to historic reasons or to join up a circular route or to keep people off a dangerous road, are very well maintained. It’s often a relief to get on one for a short while.

Of course you’re right Andrew about flora and fauna and manicured is the last thing they should be. If you want that, the best place is a country park or whatever. But passable is needed, however often it’s used, otherwise as I said on my walk round Stracey arms etc that you can end up having an extremely long, and potentially dangerous (main roads etc) detour to get back home. On that walk, what should have been I think 3.5 miles turned into 8.5 and I fell a number of times through not being able to see the ground for vegetation. Ag least when councils don’t fulfil their obligations re potholes etc in the roads, you can claim for a damaged car. Not sure we could do the same for time off work with a broken leg etc after a fall on the footpath they are responsible for. I wrote to the county council about it but as yet have not heard back.

I’m out on a walk at south walsham and have been sitting in the shade overlooking the broad at the public staithe. As I arrived, there was a very strange thing going on in the water. Ive never seen anything like it. Looked like a starling murmuration, of insects or little fish fry or something, with dragonflies following it to and fro across the water. It made little splashing noises. Well I watched this for 5 minutes and decided I must take a photo so crept up slowly as I didn’t want to scare away whatever it was. You might have to zoom in on the photo. And promptly got rained on by a garden sprinkler who’s water was coming over the fence into the broad! My thought of becoming a famous scientist discovering some new invertebrate behaviour will have to wait a while longer. 😂

Wow. That’s lovely. But where was that line of mooring on Fleet Dyke? Between the ‘bend’ moorings and the ‘straight’ moorings that are there now? Or perhaps where all the wild moorings spots are? I know those two mooring sections are EA rather than BA

There we go Malcolm.

At least you could still see the path Malcolm. If you look back in my springers retreat thread at my walk from stokesby to Stracey arms in May. you’ll see some photos of virtually impassable public footpaths Last year, it turned out most of the public footpaths etc are county council maintained, not BA. I was talking to a ranger about similar MM. No good encouraging folk to come here by giving it a label and then it being unsuitable for the holidaymakers needs. It should be a good walking area, with three long distance trails and flat, so folk who can no longer traipse over numerous mountainous national parks can still go on a multi day excursion.

The answer of course is for councils to have more money for these, what many would call ‘extra’ things. They are in fact basic services. And for councils to have more money, they have to be given it from somewhere. Either council tax payers of their area, or from central govt through an increase in general taxation. As the saying goes, you can’t have something for nothing. The sadly logical outcome of footpaths /cycle paths / bridleways / green lanes being overgrown is fewer people bothering to venture out. Eventually the network we have in this country of accessible countryside falling into disuse and passing into the history books. I hope not, for my children’s and grandchildren’s sakes.

Saturday 24th June. Up early for a shopping trip to a diy shed in Great Yarmouth for among other things, a paint tester pot to keep on board in case of mishaps. I treated Finlay to a cooling mat and he made good use of it today. and managed, at last (after numerous visits to the shop) to buy a matching rug to two I’d previously bought at Lathams. Not often my shopping trips are completely successful. It was still only 10.30 when I set off down the Ant, a bit later than I’d ideally wanted. My plan was to visit the nature reserve at How Hill as I’d never been round it before, take the dog on a good long walk and move on. I managed the first bit, leaving Finlay on the boat as dogs are not allowed in the reserve. Halfway round I found a spot I just knew I’d visited before, in 1997. All that time I’d been wondering just where it was on the Broads I’d taken a photo of my two children pond-dipping. It makes perfect sense, we’d have been on some activity day they were holding. I used to look out for activities like that when on holiday with them. No wonder Catherine ended up as an aquatic ecologist! I’ll show her the photo I took this time without telling her why and see if she can remember. She’d have been 9 at the time. I encountered hundreds of dragonflies and damselflies, and some snail shells, but not really much else apart from picking up my first midge bites of the season. The little guide book I was given is very good. It was far too hot for a long dog walk and the boat was penned in by this time so I stayed put. The wherry’s dinghy at my stern and a boat with its nose over the end of the quay (helping to protect mine from any ‘events’) over my bow made me snug in what Lulu calls Luna’s Nook. I did a bit of painting, got some woodwork ready for varnishing, stuck down a bit of flooring that had originally not stuck well, and also replacing the ‘screw fixing’ bit of an electric back box that I’d noticed was cracked. So my shopping trip had been worthwhile. Jobs ticked off. We went for our walk towards evening, the reverse of one I did last week, exploring further than the normal circular walk down the moorings and back along the lane. Finlay seemed to enjoy himself, prettying himself up in the process of rummaging about. A spot of whistle training on the How Hill field to conclude his walk saw him very steady on the rabbits that had come out to graze. At one point, with him running towards them then dropping to the whistle, while they ran off a bit, and then both he and they all sitting stock still looking at each other, wish I’d videoed it! They must be quite used to dogs to have not run off into the bushes immediately. It was a beautiful warm, calm evening.

That’s no lie-in for me tomorrow then. I’ll make an early start and be out of the way. Thanks for the heads up.

That’s exactly how I feel Jim. Same for everyone. Follow the rules, respect the communal space.

I fully agree about the handover Gracie. I’ve never had one where I feel shortchanged. It was always thorough and the first time, we were asked who would be helming. We replied both. But at the handover I was too lacking in confidence to volunteer to try in front of the yard lad. He insisted we had another little trip out with me doing it, just so I could find out if I had any questions. It was fairly low season so they weren’t particularly busy. I was very grateful for that. I think it’s what you make of it. You can read and hear all about good practice but if you don’t actually listen, you’ll go on oblivious and not realise the trail of mayhem you might be leaving behind you. It should be a matter of pride in a good job done, regardless if a hire boat or your own.

Funnily enough Simon, I said something very similar to myself during the week. Not a good example to hirers.

Yes she is. She’s replaced Hathor for the season as Hathor is having work find on her. She does go out on certain days on charter though, so perhaps look on the wherry trust website for those particular dates before making a journey specially. She’s worth going aboard. And pleased you enjoy reading. It’s a useful diary to myself plus all my musings about things that puzzle me along the way.

Friday 23rd June. starting with my attempt at a Thurne photo last night (admittedly taken from inside the boat). The forecast overnight mist burnt off quickly this morning and the day has been oppressively hot, but not that I’m complaining really as a ‘dry dog towel’ day is a treat. We stopped off at How Hill as we’d booked the electric boat trip into the marsh for 11am. An hour of very quietly moving down the little dykes at water level, seeing mainly dragonflies, and then a short walk to the bird hide overlooking Reedham water, with birds and waterfowl getting on with their lives. A quick look-see in wherry Ardea and in Toad Hole cottage rounded off a really enjoyable few days. Both are certainly worth a visit. Of course we had the obligatory icecream too after our lunch. Each trip I do with guests on board is different as each guest has different interests and different perspectives in what they see. This week was a ‘chill-out’ week due to mobility issues, sometimes it’s a ‘route march’ week which the dog loves, and others it’s an instructional week on how the boat works, with me getting nowhere near the helm apart from mooring.

Thursday 22nd June. Upton Dyke was so peaceful overnight and we woke up to another sunny morning. As seems to be the norm at Upton, the early morning local dog walkers all seem to be spaniel owners. Maybe that’s where I need to move to?😄 For info for dog owners- quite a scum of blue green algae on the water in the dyke this morning. First port of call was Potter Heigham for a view of the bridge and to buy milk and duck food. No spaces were available on the 24hr moorings, so I cheekily asked if I could moor on the pilot moorings for 10 mins. Ray nipped over to the shop while I stayed onboard in case I needed to move for someone wanting to come into the mooring. Lesley and I chatted to the young ranger, in his first season of work in that role. He told me he hadn’t known that paddleboards needed a toll before starting the job. I suggested a public information campaign by the BA might be in order. He also said the rangers were commenting on how quiet it is at the moment, which makes me ponder about the shortage of public moorings at Potter Heigham. No spaces on a quiet weekday mid morning in June. (I don’t think double mooring is allowed there, but could be wrong, not that many people do it nowadays anyway and it seems to me a bit unfair to count double moorings in the ‘no. of moorings available’ statistics). The loss of the ‘quiet moorings’ previously provided by the chalet owners is a real blow, the moorings are overgrown and if the BA were to spend any money on new moorings, it would be a very good place to start. Duly topped up with provisions, we made our way to Womack staithe where I had no intention of stopping, it was just sightseeing. There were no spaces anyway. Then back down to Womack Dyke moorings for lunch. And then on to Thurne Dyke for our overnight stop. I had hoped to be on the river end, mainly for the view but also ‘cos it’s out of the way of boats going up. I managed a tight little spot a couple of boats up the dyke. Lesley managed to walk right up to the shop, which is big progress with her back problem. And later we had a very nice meal in the pub as a treat for their last night on board. I expect Finlay is wondering what’s going on this week, he’s only had one walk of any distance, but he seems happy enough in this heat to just chill out. He decided to check out Alfie’s little Jack Russell sized bed at one point. Yet again, posters on Facebook groups seem to have caught the sunset last night at Thurne, but it just looked misty to me. The mist came in about 9.30pm and is still here early this morning. It’ll undoubtedly burn off fairly quickly though.

You might well come across Sprjnger’s Retreat, Helen. New granddaughter’s first trip (6 wks old) from 1st July. I’ll tell Catherine to keep an eye out for you.

Looks like a neat job done.

Wednesday 21st June. Another beautiful morning to wake to and it stayed that way all day as we headed off on the long trip from Coltishall lock to Upton Dyke, via a stop at Ranworth for a climb to the top of the church tower for Ray and me. I don’t intend mooring at Ranworth when on my own during the ‘season’ but have the quandry that if my guests would like to, it’s their holiday and Ray duly paid the £5, with me keeping the receipt for future use. I voiced my disapproval to the attendant who sensibly didn’t get into a discussion. I had the last spot on the staithe at 12.30pm, and by 3pm when we left, there were 4 empty spaces. Anyway, deed done and I feel cross about having to feel like I do about it. We had a nice lunch in the Granary so I at least have contributed to the local economy. My mood brightened markedly when I found the end of Upton Dyke available as it’s one of my favourite spots. Lesley managed time off the boat to sit on the bench while Ray and I walked the circular route to the black mill and down the track into Upton. As we passed Eastwood Whelpton three yachts were readying to leave, all with ladies on board. It was their Wednesday evening sailing session/lesson. Bookable in advance for £20 for a two hour? (maybe1.5?) lesson. I am seriously thinking I will do this one Wednesday when I’m on my own, to at least learn how to ‘read’ yacht movements for when I want to pass them. It did look a lot of fun. The sunset, which I didn’t take a photo of, no idea why, lingered for ages and then a crescent moon appeared with Venus sitting below and to the left, very clearly visible.

Tuesday 20th June. Sunny start and I was again surprised at how little river traffic went past early on. Two boats by 8am. As we departed, the sky looked rather black and sure enough, by the time we arrived at Wroxham it was raining hard. There were three boats waiting for the pilot at the bridge by seeing as none of them seemed ready for the off, I nipped through, filled with water at the yard and moored up after the railway bridge. This was for a Lesley to try having a little walk. Once the rain had stopped, we set off. She managed to get off the boat well enough, but walking with crutches to the town end of the mooring was enough for her. I know so well how she feels, having been there numerous times myself. Back on board for the journey upstream. I’d read about the amount of loose weed on the surface and it was pretty bad, but no worse than I was expecting after the weed cutter had been at work towards the end of last week. We moored up at the lock and spent a warm, sunny afternoon chatting and with the dogs swimming. Very relaxing.