Whitlingham marshes

We woke once again to wet ground, and a forecast of sunny intervals with possible showers.  Despite that, we decided to risk a walk.

10 days ago, whilst taking an extended walk from Whitlingham Broad, we came across Whitlingham marshes.  We didn't fully explore that day, as we were at the furthest point from our car - we in any case did 6km that day.  Today, we decided to return.  

It was an interesting walk.  The marshes are alongside the A47 Norwich bypass, and our walk was dominated by the traffic noise.  But I expect the wildlife don't really care.  At one point, we actually were walking underneath the viaduct that you can see across the marshes on my photo.  We only walked about 2km, but it was good to get out.

In the extra is a wonderful "gingerbread" cottage that was visible across the other side of the River Yare.  Some research on the internet has finally identified it as a Grade 2 listed building, that has clearly been rethatched since the photo in the paper a couple of years ago. It hasn't, however, been relocated, as was apparently being suggested at the time.

We finished off with coffee and cake at Café Britannia on Mousehold Heath.  We were able to sit outside in the sun and I was not cold even though only wearing a jumper.  
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After blipping yesterday, I felt almost guilty about having totally failed to acknowledge the date.  But reading Arachne's blip for yesterday (and what a wonderful photo that was) has helped me immensely, as her thoughts chime so well with mine, but she has been able to express them so much more eloquently than I have ever managed.  I was also interested to read Arclight's point of view, and to peruse the New Statesman article to which she linked. I'd not come across them before, but next year, I will seek out a white poppy.