The Old Ice House

B, H and I were delighted to see some sunshine today after a pretty grim day of wet and windy weather yesterday.  Predictably, it was fairly muddy and puddly everywhere but nevertheless, it was good to get out for a walk.

We walked the circular route around the Bayfield Estate and had to take a short cut through the woods to avoid the often flooded area near the footbridge.  This path brings one out right next to the old Ice House, stood on the banks of the River Glaven.  It looked very attractive in the dappled winter sunshine.

After a lunch in the Natural Surroundings cafe we headed back, stopping to visit the harvest mice which they breed there for release into their wildlife reserve.  I've added one of the mice as an extra, not great quality as I took this photo with my phone, which seems to work better in the rather shady hut where they are kept. I believe school parties are hosted in this hut, the walls are lined with shelves holding minerals and rocks, animal skulls, antlers, shells, dried flowers and all manner of glass jars containing specimens of various natural subjects, it's a real nature treasure trove.