kpnut

Wasps eat flies, aphids, caterpillars and other invertebrates, well I just found that on bug life.org.uk

You know Neil, I was just being pestered by some wasps while eating breakfast. They were getting a little lost after getting drunk on some nearby blackberries and I pondered-I wonder if wasps eat midgies! Sympathise about the children.

It’s called a Katsura tree. Whichever way you follow the boardwalk you’ll come to it. If you imagine the main boardwalk as a rectangle with the entrance as bottom left corner, it’s in the opposite diagonal corner, top right. Near a lovely bench to sit on, called mollys bench, and appreciate the scent. Enjoy!

Thursday 18th August Gayes staithe has a lot of wasps I’ve decided. Even drowned ones in the side-on dyke. I couldn’t see where they were coming from but my boat had 5 in at one point and when our guests arrived and we set off, they still accompanied us on our way for a while, flying in and out. How Hill was our first stop, arriving at 11.15. Busy, busy. Our guests loved having a look inside Hathor wherry while I gave the dog a good leg stretch on the grass(straw) park. The secret garden had a bit of colour and the ‘Werthers Original’ tree (sorry, can’t remember it’s proper name at the moment) was starting to release its lovely caramel scent. It’ll be like that till October now. The formal gardens were open too, meaning no residential groups are staying at the moment. The roses looked pretty and the fig had one or two ripe ones on -um, how do I know that? Another dog run while the others went for a look in the cottage, an icecream purchase and we were ready to leave. On our way back past later at something past 5, there weren’t many boats in at all We made for St Benets for our lunch stop with a walk round the site later. I squeezed into a mooring with a couple on a Horning Pleasurecraft boat moving up slightly for us. A first timer and certainly a convert to boating. The views from the cross were super, somehow the light just captured the Broads at their best and I always love to see the yacht sails moving along above the fields. Then it was back up the Ant, hopefully to find a mooring spot at Neatishead. I wasn’t too hopeful seeing as ETA was going to be 5.45 so was thinking of plan B seeing as our friends were eating onboard and then had to walk back to the village once dark. I couldn’t really go to Gayes staithe, having been there last night, so plan B was moor up somewhere for tea (wild/paddy’s lane/mudweight on the broad) and before dusk, motor along to Neatishead to drop them off and then come back to go wherever again, even Wood End possibly. I do have nav lights but have never been in a position to use them before. Anyway, all this planning in my head was unnecessary as there was one last mooring at Neatishead available, meaning I had to be on my best, reversing right down to the far end. I was pleased to be honest with how I did for my first time. So ironically, I moored up at the very nearest spot to my guests b+b! I was amazed that we were able to sit with windows, roof and door open and a light on till well after dark and still not be bothered by midgies.

They are a gorgeous line of trees. I always thought beech so therefore hornbeam would fit nicely. I’ll take more notice next time I’m there and use an ID key. No idea why they’re there though, sorry.

Realised I can’t do the following week either so sending apologies for that too. I’ll be on the m25 somewhere meeting Catherine to pick up their dog on their way to France.

Darn it! I can’t be there as it’s the last night with friends onboard for tea and then to drive them back to Neatishead.

Yes, getting my head round planning day routes with the need to bring our guests back to shore at the right place each night took some pondering. 2 separate overnight bases, with one day of car moving in the middle seemed the best option. Jean, a new retirement venture, private taxi exclusive to boaters!

Thanks about the wasp nest as I’m hoping to go there next week

Wednesday 17th August a very slow start to the day for me as I wasn’t going anywhere till at least 11am. My car in Stalham needed to get to Wroxham and Pete’s car in Wroxham needed to get to Neatishead, so the two men set off at 10 to do just that -with a written set of instructions. An hour later and they came back pleased as punch. Good thing I delved a bit as my car was now in Wroxham as planned but Petes was in Stalham, not Neatishead. So off they went again to rectify the situation while I started worrying about the rising tide and getting through Wroxham bridge. I should have told them I would move the boat to Barnes, but didn’t dare ring and complicate things any further!!!! My slow start at least gave me the chance to fill with water at Bridge Broad yard and do a bit of housework. Safely through the bridge at last, we wanted to stop at he Hoveton great broad nature trail but the moorings were full. One picnic boat on the end was occupied so I asked if they were moving soon but no, they were fishing!!! (Grrrh!). We turned into Cockshoot Dyke instead and came into moor in front of Bluebell on Chiltern Lady, lovely seeing you Jim and sorry I couldn’t focus on chatting too much with 3 others on board! We were in a hurry to get lunch and have a quick walk down the boardwalk tk the bird hide. All duly done, we departed-next stop hopefully Neatishead or Gayes Staithe as our guests were booked into a b+b at Neatishead and we had a table booked at the White Horse. The front sternon mooring at Gayes staithe was free so rather than chancing it at Neatishead, we pulled in there. I walked along to the Neatishead moorings with our guests, to find two available spaces-Sods law I suppose! Leaving them to carry on to the village I was ambling back over the field footpath with the dog when I remembered we had to collect my car from Wroxham and get it back to Stalham. Oops! Not having my phone on me, my relaxing walk turned into something rather more urgent to get back, ring Pete to come and pick up Tony and do the required manoeuvres all over again. Wow, who’d be a tour organiser!! Cars now all correct again I assume and off to the pub I go.

Thought that sounded about right from your write-up.

On the ‘state of footpaths’ thread, Tom from BA posted yesterday to let him know of any path issues regarding BA responsibility paths. I’ve taken the liberty of copying your words about the path onto there and linking it to Tom’s post to let him know.

Hi Tom, the following was put on another thread by someone this afternoon. It was referring to the Horning bank of Ludham Bridge moorings. Is this one that the BA does? I also walked it a while ago and found it hard going fairly near the bridge. I’d walked down from near Neaves Mill. Quote-Battled through nettles / brambles & weeds on path going up to the bridge. Went back with secateurs, half an hour, numerous nettle stings on calf’s, path cleared”

Glad to see you’d got it Griff, when we went past. As you say, your turn at last. Super spot for the dog too, haven’t a clue about the fishing!

My thoughts too Helen. The path up is falling away in one place about halfway up and it was there I first looked up and was amazed to see the church tower looking like it was right on the edge. I’m truth, there is space for a path round it.

Monday 15th August continued Guests arrived later than anticipated, about 5pm. They enjoyed a cold beer watching the comings and goings. Tuesday 16th August When I got up early this morning to walk to the public wc, I found a mobile phone on the grass by the moorings. I handed it in to the BA information centre for safekeeping as the lady there said people often come in to ask if anything’s been handed in. So if anyone reading this has lost it, that’s where it is. Didn’t really know what else’s to do with it apart from the police station. After a leisurely start, we set off for Coltishall about 10.30, and wandered up there, with lots of wildlife photos being taken on the way. Mooring up on our own at the lock, we had a walk to see the mill, then the two villages and back down the riverbank to the lock. After a quick swim for Finlay, we then made our way back to the Rising Sun for a late lunch. So few boats on the long stretch of moorings there. The weed cutter boat came by, going to and fro on the pub bend, he must have a good patch to cut as it looked like he was bunged up at one point. Lovely food and generous portions for both ‘loaded fries’ and Caesar salad. Back to the boat for homemade plum cake a cup of tea and then down to visit the church at Belaugh. I’ve only walked up from the main staithe before, but that was occupied so we asked the folk moored at the church mooring if we could snuck in for a wee while. They moved up a bit and with a bit of snug mooring, all was fastened up. The walk up the bank to the church is called Pilgrims Path which I thought was rather cute. The church didn’t disappoint, historically and building-wise. Then back to Hoveton viaduct moorings where we are one of only 6 boats. Where is everyone, so quiet down here? Time for a light tea and the damson gin will probably make an appearance later!

They ought to head for the viaduct moorings (the fact that the pilots gone home withstanding of course and maybe too big too fit anyway-such are the trials and tribulations of hiring)! There is the princely sum of 6 boats.

Thanks very much Tom. It’s very good to know there is a procedure in place. Can you tell me how the easiest way of finding out if it’s a ‘ BA responsible’ path? Or do I look on the council path map and if not marked as one of theirs, assume it’s one of yours?

I will, but I don’t know that area. The best thing will be for you to go on the Norfolk county council website, look for the section about environment etc and there’ll be a link somewhere to reporting public footpath issues. There’s a form you fill in with location, nature of the issue etc. but first, it’d be best to check in their interactive map which shows which ones they are responsible for, as it might be a Sutton parish council responsibility. Hope that is enough detail to get you to the right place on their website. When I get home from the boat and am on my home PC I’ll have a look too if I can see which path you have highlighted. And I’ll check the website too for the correct ‘navigation route’ through it and post it on here for anyone to use if they wish.

Only 5 boats in at Hoveton St. John moorings this evening and 2 of those are liveaboards who shuttle between these and the viaduct.

Monday 15th August Now at the electric moorings at Hoveton St John awaiting the arrival of Tony and our friends. Main accomplishment of the morning was going under the bridge without any sweaty palms! I was getting a bit jittery as I came into Wroxham and until Barnes, but a few deep breaths and once I saw the bridge I knew I’d be ok as I just did what I’d been shown to do. It helped that there was about 6’10” showing, exactly what it had shown last time, in July. The pilot then was so right to encourage me to turn round and go back to do it all over again once he’d shown me. So housework done, dog walked, shopping got and now a few odd splatters of rain but don’t think it’ll come to much as it’s freshened up again. We’ll see.

Sunday 14th August cont. I got my act together eventually and left Acle Bridge round lunchtime, so I had officially outstayed my welcome I’m afraid, although happy to say I hadn’t done anyone out of a space seeing as there were plenty of moorings available. Destination:anywhere towards Wroxham. I fancied wild mooring but between Ranworth and Wroxham there aren’t many spots and I don’t mudweight in a broad cos of the dog. I passed one after Ranworth junction but felt I hadn’t given the batteries a fair chance of charging yet. I could have joined someone at the church moorings outside Horning but felt it a bit rude to do so, then there was one available on the opposite bank past the bend. I went past and turned into the tide, came alongside beautifully, got off to find myself more or less stepping on a wasp nest. So that was why it was free! Oh well, I thought I might try Wroxham Island moorings and turn back to Salhouse river stretch if full as there would be bound to be space there (for a fee, not that I begrudge paying really and would have the opportunity to fill with water in the morning). But to my surprise, Cockshoot Dyke was half empty, I went down it, had plenty of space to turn and came back up to moor at the front by the signboard. Perfect. Chair out, book in hand, Finlay snoozing after his walk, watching the traffic, of which the vast majority comprised dayboats. Cockshoot stayed quiet for the rest of the day. A ferry marina boat coming in right on dusk perhaps was relieved to find so much choice to moor up, as I’m not sure where the next port of call before nightfall would have been (maybe they like mudweighting tucked into the trees on the river though). I spoke to the couple on the yacht behind to say I would be leaving early and would try not to disturb them. An hour later we finished talking and only when I remembered a plum crumble was still in the oven! If did seem to be another very sociable day.

Any for me Mike. I’m rubbish at some topics but always learn something! Gardening, food, Norfolk broads, geography, nature and environment are my best bets. Music, books, celebrities I don’t have a clue but never mind hey! There’s always a ‘biker guess’ to be submitted.

Adventures and ‘experiences’ certainly find their way to you, thankfully to someone with a clear head!

Oh yes Helen, I’ve done it too. I now have a sign I put on the steering wheel. Most embarrassing! Sounds like you had fun today, with Tabitha Rose; every day is a learning day. As Grendel said, she had other ideas about finishing her adventure. What were the dinosaurs all about in your photos?