Sunday 29 July 2007

Nettled

Perhaps one day, I will learn what nettles are in Britain and will manage not to get myself nettled. It just is slightly vexatious that the juiciest blackberries are in the deepest nettles.

This afternoon has been quite productive, as have gone for 3 mile bike ride; picked a pound of blackberries; had bike lock stolen when lost panniere bag raided after it accidentally fell off rack; recovered panniere bag and cloth shopping bag; recovered bike lock which had been discarded in tall grass while on way to purchase new expensive lock! Hoorah for trusting intuition...

Sermon this morning addressed issue of forgiveness, so I supposed it would be frowned upon to wish vengeance for stolen water bottle and glue stick... why the idiots took a glue stick instead of a panniere bag is quite beyond me (although I am pleased they are stupid). However, did learn interesting things in sermon which also included linguistic element. The use of the word priggishly is highly acceptable to me, especially in sermons.

Another lovely day today. Found a pedestrian bridge right around the corner and a pumping station where people fish in the fast water. Along this alley is a flood-level plaque which I noticed yesterday. Dates are, from top: 1912, 1570, 1514, 1646, 1752, and 177-something.

From my house, north along the River Wensum about a 10-minute ride (past quite an extensive crop of nettles), this bridge is right before the Sweet Briar Road (I think).

Then, went slightly off-road to get other perspective.

And to take photos of insects on flowers with new macro functionality discovered... (these will appear later)

On way back down (nettle-ridden) path, took a couple of side trails and found a gypsy wagon (well, not actually positive that is what it is, but is more exotic than just 'a wagon' where someone appears to be living rough... eek). Shall probably be scolded by mother and other parental-type persons with whom I am acquainted for straying into lonely field where all sorts of horrible things could have happened, but pshaw. The worst thing that happened was that my arm was bitten by a very small horse as a test of my edibility. Maybe it was my green sweater. He was tres cute and I shall visit him again! (If you cannot tell, he is very short, about to my hip).

Gypsies apparently just take their horses wherever there is grass and put a stake in the ground with a chain or rope and leave them there for a while. This is rather distressing. Little Horse here was not tied like the other 6 horses in the field but just wandering around (and biting things). Their hooves all need grooming.

*******
Saturday was a fun day as well. V. busy morning, what with getting ribbon to finish window screen, acquiring planting acoutrements and sitting outside front door at table being eccentric.

Then met Sally and Sumiko (from office) to go to Wroxham Barns, which is in Wroxham (funnily enough). Had relaxed stroll around with only a very few sensible purchases (flower pots are utilitarian and candles are good in an electricity outage...).

On road, passed signs to the Worstead Festival, which is apparently happening (or happened at this point) this weekend. Am kind of disappointed to have missed it as it claims to be the largest village festival in Norfolk. The village is the origin of 'worsted' wool in the 14th century! It also (from this link) appears that there was weaving and spinning. Now I shall go and feel sorry for self and plan for next year.

Sally met me at The Forum for Carmen. We arrived 40 minutes before the start and it was already crammed. Caroline from the knitting group joined as well and we knitted. We all had to sit on a very far side (hahaha) and peer through railings for most of it. They could still have done with a sound system, but as the voices were adult, more was audible. V. chilly; cold nose. Overall, still fun!

Actually, must clean flat so as to impress landlord tomorrow with quality of tenant and so he will happily replace demonic shower head. Pray it doesn't rain tomorrow as must ride bike to work so will not be evidence for landlord to boot me out. Hope the fish will be well-behaved so he won't call me on that, either...

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun. -- Katharine Hepburn

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