Fathers' Day Tradition

Doing something once is a novelty; but, in our family, doing something twice definitely becomes a tradition.  So it was that Issy, Isla and I headed to Salhouse Broad in Norfolk for the second (annual) Fathers' Day swim.  Readers of this blog may remember that, a year ago, Isla wasn't exactly enthusiastic when it came to entering the water (see here).  What a difference a year makes.

What Isla may lack in style, she more than makes up for in enthusiasm.  She's a natural swimmer too, and now absolutely loves being in the water.

I thought it was about time that Isla met a frisbee for the first time.  She wasn't quite sure what to do initially, but she soon got the hang of it and was catching the frisbee like a pro.

After a couple of hours swimming, fetching and catching, Isla was cream-crackered and it was time to head for new (and excellent) snack hut at Salhouse Broad.  Thoroughly recommended, with free biscuits for dogs too.

Water Baby

Last week Izzi and I had a "Grand Day Out" in Norfolk, principally to do some shopping at the wonderful Roy's of Wroxham.  Apparently it was "essential" to buy lots of "stuff" before the new University term, although I'm sure it wasn't like this in my day.

Needless to say, The Dumb Blonde came along too; and, given that we had some time to kill before lunch (and serious shopping), we decided to head to Salhouse Broad: one of our favourite locations, and a great place for canine swimming.  It didn't take long before Amber went headlong into the water...

Sometimes, the similarity between Amber and Winston Churchill is uncanny.

Although Amber is a retriever through and through, she's never quite got the hang of handing back what she's just fetched.  I suppose blondes are allowed to play hard to get.

Gradually worsening arthritis means that Amber is now getting rather "limpy" on land, but this hasn't dampened her enthusiasm for diving into water (no pun untended).

I only wish Salhouse Broad were a bit closer to home, as it would do Amber a huge amount of good to swim on a regular basis.  I suppose we'll just have to visit Roy's again soon...

Things on and in the Water

Returning to our so-called holiday on the Norfolk Broads, here are a few from Salhouse Broad between Wroxham and Horning.  A beautiful spot which also happens to be within easy walking distance of the restaurant at the Woodforde's Brewery in Woodbastwick.  Yum...

Izzi and Harriet decided to explore the Broad by kayak while I stayed back at base to photograph the "wildlife".  There was the occasional Great Crested Grebe and Egyptian Goose, but mainly they were kept at bay by a chap a couple of boats over who insisted on playing his accordion.

The Egyptian Goose is, of course, a duck (if it looks like a goose and quacks like a goose, etc.).

Unusually for the holiday, we were then treated to a beautiful sunny evening.  As a result we decided to let Amber have a swim in the Broad before going off for a slap-up dinner at the aforementioned restaurant.

Did I mention that the dinner was yummy?

Evening at Thurne Mill

By far the wettest day of the holiday involved a long journey from Beccles in Suffolk, across Breydon Water, through Great Yarmouth, and on to Thurne.  It rained pretty well the entire time, and we were all suffering from Cabin Fever by the time we managed to moor.  The rain stopped after dinner, and I managed an hour or so in the gathering gloom taking pictures of the iconic windmill.

The images have all been processed slightly differently, and I'm not sure which I prefer yet.  Probably the softer, more pastel versions, but the jury is still out.

 

How Hill

As promised, here are a few of the pictures from the holiday.  The first set come from How Hill on the river Ant, not far from Ludham.  There are a couple of old wind pumps there, and a rather attractive house on a hill close by.  There's also the wonderfully named Toad Hole Cottage, which I managed to photograph later in the week.

Cold and Wet

I've just got back from a week's holiday on the Norfolk Broads: usually a firm family favourite.  When we booked the holiday, back in February, the middle of July - just before the main school holidays - seemed like a really good idea.  In reality, we spent a week in wellies, waterproofs and multiple fleeces.  Leaden skies, rain, thunder and a constant cold, blustery wind were the order of the day.  Definitely a case of "batten down the hatches and make another bacon sandwich".  I managed to take a few pictures on the holiday, which I'll post in the next few days, but here are three to give a flavour of the week.

Needless to say, it's been 28 degrees and sunny since we got home.  Typical...