I had a good nights sleep aboard the HMS Loopy and set off to retrace my oar steps to St Olaves. It was a difficult voyage back up the Waveney due to a gusty headwind and I struggled to make progress. At one point the wind was so strong I began to go backwards despite rowing my gloves off ~ so to speak. I managed to grab hold of the reeds so that I could at least stay stationary until the gusts died down. This did give me a lovely opportunity to photograph the beautiful marsh marigolds. In Somerlayton my kind friends Nancy & Tim met me with a flask of tea and some bananas. I then headed for the ‘Cut’ where I was greeted by Wally Mason the reedcutter and a photographer. To my surprise and delight Wally presented me with a card, flowers, chocolates and a bundle of real reeds from the marshes. He said in his strong Norfolk accent “you’ve bin seein all those reeds as yer row past, well here’s some fer you to keep ~ they’ll last yer 70 years”. I was really touched by his kindness and utterly delighted with my reeds ~ what a lovely souvenir.
I battled my way up the ‘Cut’ which is completely straight until I reached Reedham. There I was greeted by another kind friend, Sue, who had brought me more tea in a little flask ~ heaven. I then, with my aching arms, prepared my bed & cover over my boat ready for another night on the river. Whilst munching my bread & bananas lying in the HMS Loopy I was thrilled to have a swan join me for tea. He was so beautiful and allowed me to hand feed him through my boat tent window ~ magic.
Goodnight from Swan Lake xxx
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Saturday’s ‘Tales from the Riverbank’
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