15th June 2026, forecast is for escalating heat so we need to make an early start. We’re heading to one of the many nature reserves between Norwich and the east coast, plus there’s another we’ll pass through along the way. The ‘way’ is downhill (mostly), into the valley of the Yare. We might find places soggy underfoot, best to wear waterproof shoes. Let’s go…
15th June 2026
🔼 A bus into Norwich and another bus out again, we hop off at Hellington, which is at the top of the ‘hill’. The first part of our walk is along rural lanes made white with hedge bindweed and ox-eyed daisies 🔽
15th June 2026
15th June 2026
🔼 Ah, poppies. I do love this season for the poppies that pop up everywhere 🔽 Across the fields we see Hellington church, but we don’t want to delay by visiting there today
15th June 2026
15th June 2026
🔼 Heading now to Rockland St Mary, and the Low Common which lies between the two villages 🔽 Rockland Low Common local nature reserve, and now you see what I mean by potential wet feet! This is wetland, this is fen, and there are no man-made drains to take the water away. But what I’m not showing are the plants that thrive here. I’ll give you a taste of those on Tuesday
15th June 2026
15th June 2026
🔼 Meadow Rue dominates the community 🔽 A gate that doesn’t close marks the end to Rockland’s small reserve
15th June 2026
🔽 We emerge into farmland… the photo is taken looking back towards the reserve
15th June 2026
🔽 Having skirted Rockland, it’s now down the hill we go, though it’s only when looking back that we realise the descent
15th June 2026
15th June 2026
🔼 The final destination, Wheatfen Reserve 🔽
15th June 2026
We had to cut our visit short because, clever me, wrenched my ankle while trying to get a better shot of a butterfly. Hobbling with a screaming ankle then weakened my knee and threw my hip out my balance. To try to walk further was not a good idea, even if possible. But how to get home? I couldn’t walk back to the bus stop. In an area with no phone signal, the reserve warden helped us get a taxi. A disappointment, but I’ve done the best with the photos I managed before that happened. Hope you enjoyed.
crispina kemp 
Those swans! Just lovely. A shame about your ankle/knee/hip; hopefully by now you have recuperated.
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Thank you. This heat is delaying recovery. But I’m mobile and that’s what counts
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Just gorgeous. I have to wonder though- how are the mosquitoes in these wetland areas?
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They’re no longer a vector for malaria, but they’re present, more so later in the summer
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Ours are really bad this year- I am talking swarms…
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Ouch. Makes me itch just to think of it
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So lovely.
Thanks for sharing.
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Always my pleasure
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All really lovely, but those swans were the best. I thought I saw some cygnets, yes?
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Yea. Not sure how many there were. Two at least.
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You managed some glorious pictures before your accident- I hope you are ok now?
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The ankle works. The knee again is strong. I’m working on strengthening hip & back. All seemed fine till I overstretched while planting plants this morning. I’ll recover. 😁
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Yes try not to over do it sending a virtual hug 🤗
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Thank you 🙏💖
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Oh my, I hope you get better soon dear friend. The pictures are really lovely. Hugs.
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I think if I’d persisted and walked on that ankle I’d have done myself worse damage. I am walking again. Maybe not as strong as I was, though
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Let pain be the alarm that you’re doing too much.
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Yea. I know. I have cut the length of the walks, at least for the summer when I’m not too good in the heat anyway
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Take care dear friend
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Lovely countryside!
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One of my many favourite places!
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OMG! I hope you are feeling better now and not in pain. You captured a beautiful collection of photos. Thanks for sharing!
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🙏💖 I’d like to say all is ok, but the foot is still tender. It’s as well my walking/hiking shoes have good support. And I’m doing the necessary exercises. It’ll take more than that to keep me down. Glad you enjoyed the photos
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You are really brave. I was down with a swollen knee and severly aching feet. No more walking. 😦
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