Sunday 4th May 2025 - Norfolk County Council Response and Whispering Reeds

Following on from my blog for 26th April, where I said about reporting two issues in the village to Fix My Street.  These were passed to Norfolk County Council and they responded on Friday 2nd May, to both problems, with, ‘We have inspected the problem. Any repairs or required action will be prioritised depending on the severity, location and extent of the work necessary. On average, this may take approximately 6 weeks. Thank you for contacting NCC HIGHWAYS. The defect has now been programmed for repair.’  So far, so good, even though it may take six weeks before the repairs are carried out.

On Friday, we visited the Norfolk Wildlife Trusts (NWT) Centre and reserve at Cley.  We haven’t been here for a few years, definitely pre-Covid, when we went to hear a talk about seals from British Divers Marine Life Rescue.  The weather had changed from the warmth and sun of the previous days.  With a northerly breeze, it was definitely cool as we made our way across the marshes, along the board walks and towards the hides.  Arriving before the visitor centre opened, there were only a few people about.  Those we did see were armed with telescopes, binoculars, expensive looking cameras and wearing muted (greys and greens) coloured clothes – in other words, they had all the gear.  As for me, I was carrying binoculars and my simple compact camera and wore my usual jacket and jeans.  You don’t actually need loads of paraphernalia to enjoy this area of tranquil beauty.

Enjoy it, we did, first passing cows with their calves, continuing our walk through the whispering reeds and hearing what I presume were reed warblers.  Arriving at the hides, there was a notice advising, swallows were nesting in the hides and to leave the windows at each end, open.  Inside, the swallows showed no fear, sitting and chattering on the rafters and flying freely back and forth.  We felt honoured to be in such close proximity.  We viewed the various water fowl and other birds from each of the hides while listening to their calls.  I had no idea what they all were but this did not detract from the pleasure of sitting quietly and watching.

By the time we returned to the car park, the visitor centre was open, so we went in to view the art work on display.  I was impressed with the Fibre Fusion display in The Gallery, in particular the sea weed exhibit.  All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable morning.  Walking across the marshes, really brought home what a truly special place this is, one which must be preserved and we know, through our membership of the NWT, they are doing their best to maintain the area.

I took several photos during our visit but today I am including just the one; the sea weed exhibit.  I will include some more photos in my blogs, as we progress through May.