February 16th - 29th 2012

Mark Webster, representing the North Norfolk Workout Project, talked at the Overstrand Evening WI on Wednesday. The project provides exercise through nature conservation activities for those preferring outdoor workouts to indoor gyms. As well as providing exercise the project promotes learning skills; it sounds like an excellent way of increasing fitness and building self-confidence, all for free. Mark showed us a selection of slides covering areas the project manages, for the benefit of the public within the locality. All the work is completed with consideration for wildlife and in one area this included building a ‘minibeast hotel’, with plenty of nooks and crannies; providing a safe refuge for small creatures to inhabit. Further details about the project can be found on the BTCV website; where you can also see a photograph of the ‘minibeast hotel’.

Over the past couple of days there has been a distinct increase in temperature, if it had not been overcast I am sure we would have been in the mid-teens centigrade but even so 9-10°C is above average for February. I can remember when we stayed in the village in February some years ago when it was 16°C, most unexpected; so much so, we made a comment in the visitor’s book in the bungalow we had rented.

It has been nice to get outside and I spent time in the front garden on Friday, deadheading the flowers which had suffered under the recent snowfall and generally tidying up. Peter cleaned the car, reviewed his demijohns of wine and started off a Woodforde’s homebrew of their Headcracker beer, aptly named because of its high alcohol percentage. In the gardening mood; Saturday we drove to Woodgates Nursery at Aylsham for vegetable seeds, some asparagus crowns and more flowering plants to put in, to give the garden a real look of early spring. I had to delay planting; it started raining in the afternoon, not that we should have any complaints. Already there are mumblings of drought this year, with reserve levels almost as low as in 1976.

What I fail to understand is why, when Norfolk is such a dry county, there are plans to build new homes in certain areas. How can we support the additional water consumption, not just drinking water of course but the extra water that will be needed for showers, baths, washing machines, dishwashers, not forgetting flushing of toilets! There are other areas in the UK, the West and Wales for example, that experience far greater rainfall, could they possibly support further development of new homes? I cannot comprehend the logic of trying to develop Norfolk further.

Saturday 18th February - Green Gym, Increase in Temperatures, Gardening, Brewing and a quesiton of Drought

Wednesday 22nd February - Spring Cleaning, Commercial Unit for Rent and Slow Progression

Having got the gardening bug, buying and ordering seeds etc., I decided it was time for outside spring cleaning. Starting with the greenhouse; I had to remove all the overwintering plants before I could wash and hose the glass inside and out. Still a bit streaky in places but at least it looks a lot cleaner and hopefully my actions will have encouraged overwintering bugs to find new homes. I then turned my attention to the shed which tends to get rather messy, as it doubles as a storage area for the bedding and nesting materials for my chicken’s coop. I managed to do this without emptying the entire shed contents, keeping a mental note of what went where but of course things never seem to fit back quite the same after a good clear-out and I am almost sure the plant pots multiplied while my back was turned! And while I have been busy don’t imagine Peter was idle; he has cleaned the windows – such a thankless task.

I mentioned back in December; the Beauty Within salon in The Londs had closed. This week Keys (estate agents) have put a notice in the window; the unit is ‘To Let’. I agree with Peter’s suggestion; this would be an excellent location for a dog groomer. There is quite a high canine population in the village to provide the necessary trade and although not all dogs need clipping or stripping, dog groomers often extend their services to bathing and claw trimming. A friend of ours suggested a Delicatessen stocking speciality goods; both local and nationally produced foods. This could complement the range, already offered by our village store, increasing the variety for both residents and visitors. So here are two possible suggestions for the future of this compact commercial unit.

'To Let'

Since mid-January I have been making good progress with my book; the recipes are formatted, introductions to each section are composed, relevant photographs and captions as well as snippets about the sources of certain recipes, inserted. These still need checking but I was pleased with my progress and moved on to the articles about our experiences in Greece. I drafted these some time ago; a selection have been printed in the magazines and books produced by Greek-o-File (see www.greekofile.co.uk). Initially I thought this would be fairly quick and straightforward section of the book but in actual fact it is proving quite time consuming. Why? Basically, I find I can now put things down in a more concise fashion, resulting in pretty well re-writing from scratch. I have only completed one article so far! All of this is fitted in around day to day chores and activities, not forgetting the pleasures of walking Barney, which on average takes up two and a half hours (this often includes stops for a chat!) of our waking hours each day.

Saturday 25th February - Basking in the Warmth, Lunch at Northrepps and Rose Water

The weather forecast for Thursday was spot on, with warm sunshine and temperatures peaking at 18°C. ‘Isn’t this wonderful’ villagers commented to one another in passing and indeed it was. Following our first lunch this year eaten in the conservatory (this is north facing, so takes a while to warm up in the earlier months of the year) we headed to the beach to take advantage of the low tide. We joined a number of other dog walkers and Barney enjoyed a paddle in one of the pools at the end of the groins.

Although temperatures were nearer the seasonal average on Friday, it was still very pleasant and late morning we walked up to Northrepps, for lunch at the Foundry Arms. There have been a couple of changes at the pub with a new chef and a modified menu. Rather than an increase in prices, which seems to be the current norm whether buying a packet of tea or a regional newspaper, the Foundry Arm’s menu prices have been reduced. The lunch time main meals were all under £7; we both ordered the Ham, Egg and Chips and at £6 with a good thick slice of ham, this was excellent value. All the new menus are available on the pubs website which can be accessed from the Places to Eat/Takeaways page. Following such a filling lunch (with such a generous portion size, I could not eat all mine) we definitely needed the walk back to Overstrand, followed by a walk on the beach and on account of our ‘fullness’, dinner was put back a little later into the evening.

Poppyland Flag

Thursday Beach

Wednesday 29th February - Cromer Crab Boat, Sunday Beach Walk and Planting Onion & Shallot sets.

The first crab boat of the season was out on Sunday afternoon, laying and marking pots off Overstrand beach; mission complete it turned and headed back in the Cromer direction. I know we only have a few days of February left but March is usually the month when crabbing recommences; when the increase in temperatures bring the crabs up from the Beckhythe deep. Both boats at Overstrand look ready to launch and with engines in place it can only be days before they are out laying their first pots this year.

Still on the food subject, I found what appears to be an excellent website for sourcing Indian foods. I was searching to buy Rose Water for my Greek style Rice Pudding when I ‘stumbled’ on this site and ordered not only the Rose Water but also Poppadoms, a Balti curry paste and spices to make Bombay Potatoes. These all arrived within 48 hours of ordering and although the packaging suffered a bit in transit everything was intact. I will use the Bombay Potato spices tonight to accompany my Lamb Curry recipe and tomorrow I will make Greek Rice Pudding. If everything is satisfactory I will include details of the website in a later diary entry.

The good weather over the past few days has provided plenty of opportunities for gardening, enticing villagers out to mow their lawns and tend allotments. Peter has relocated the composters, moving the rotted portions to the vegetable plot to fork in at a later date. He has planted the onion and shallot sets and if the good weather continues, it won't be long

Bee on Mahonia

before other vegetables will follow. I have taken the opportunity to trim back ivy, trees and liquid feed some of the spring plants. On Tuesday the warmth of the sun intensified the perfume from the Mahonia and Sarcococca flowers; the scents were heady and industrious bees buzzed around the delicate yellow sprays on the Mahonia, whilst ladybirds emerged from the shelter of violet leaves.

Ladybirds

Sunday afternoon I took a walk along the beach with a friend and our dogs; a warm sunny afternoon we could have been tempted to continue to Cromer. Instead we retraced our steps almost falling victim to a stone which was thrown by a youth from the top of cliff, down towards the promenade. How did I know it was a youth? Not satisfied with hurling the missile, he looked over the top; revealing his identity!

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Overstrand Life - Janet's Diaries

February 16th - 29th 2012