A special evening meeting was arranged by the Overstrand Gardening Club with speaker Rob Spray engaged to talk about the Chalk Reef off Cromer and Overstrand. The Committee put a lot into arranging this meeting which we hoped would appeal, in particular, to those who work and are not able to attend the usual afternoon meetings. When Rob Spray did not arrive, the Club’s Programme Secretary phoned him, his response was unacceptable. He had become involved writing a book and quite simply forgot his evening obligation! It does not take much imagination to gauge the disappointment felt by all. We gave everyone a complementary drink which should have been served at the interval, the raffle was drawn and refund of entrance offered to those attending. The following day Rob Spray sent an email which was circulated to the Committee; this offered his profuse apologies and a suggested form of recompense.

It has been the practice of Overstrand Parish Council to provide a grant to COAST (Cromer and Sheringham Arts Festival). The Festival started five years ago and it was reported in North Norfolk News that it has made a £6,000 profit. In consideration of the profit and the council’s financial constrainsts Sheringham (population approx. 7,000) Town Council are not giving anything this year but Cromer (population approx. 8,000) Town Council have pledged £2,000. Last year Overstrand Parish Council awarded £500 which per head is considerably more than Sheringham or Cromer. On

Cliff Path

a pro rata basis £250 is a more realistic figure for Overstrand (population approx. 1,000). At the Parish Council meeting on Wednesday evening and during the open section of the meeting, Peter was able to convey these figures to the Council and after each Councillor was given the opportunity to give their views there was a majority vote for the proposal to reduce this year’s grant to £250. The Mundesley Road Development was discussed again, this time to consider what, if anything, the prospective developer could be asked to contribute to the village. Parishioners can send their ideas for consideration to the Parish Clerk, Mrs Joan Mapperley (email overstrand@waitrose.com). There is no figure as to what would be considered a reasonable contribution but Sheringham did rather well when Tescos built their store. The town has benefited from funding which has provided either in full or in part a new Fire Station, Community Centre, Sporting facilities and replacement of affordable housing.

A drop in temperatures on Thursday morning (10°C when driving into Cromer) and with accompanying rain, it felt quite chilly. The afternoon was far better and we met with a former resident of Overstrand who lived in The Londs as a child and who later relocated to Canada. We walked to the Church where she was able to place flowers on the

Seaweed

graves of her former neighbours, having previously put flowers on her parent’s graves.

This was followed by a walk across the golf course and back into Overstrand on the cliff top path. Looking down to village and the beach it all looked so perfect and I wondered if over the years she has ever regretted leaving the village.

Friday; and an ideal start to the day - a walk on the beach with Barney. I took my camera and using the zoom was able to take some tolerable shots of Cromer’s Samara fishing boat out at sea, plus some standard frames of Barnacles, Limpets and Seaweed clinging to the groynes. While eating breakfast in the conservatory, on our return, I spotted a Painted Lady Butterfly (a first) on a Fuschia on the patio. We have seen a good number of Butterflies this year, including Speckled Woods, Orange Tips, Scarlet

On the Groynes

Emperors, Brimstone, Red Admirals and, of course, the ubiquitous Whites. We spent most of the morning out in the garden where there always seems to be something to do. Peter has dug some more early Potatoes to have with this evening’s dinner and pulled out the remains of a row of Radishes which have been disappointing; producing more above ground than below!

Samara

Tuesday 10th June 2014 - Last Post, Vintage Fly-In and Feels Like Summer

Just the one diary posting this week as we have our eldest son and his wife arriving Thursday for the weekend. The weather has been just wonderful; is it too much to expect for it to continue during their stay? But whatever the weather I know we will enjoy seeing them and catching up on news.

Stormin' Norman

Taxing for Take-Off

Windless Take-Off

We were going to walk to Northrepps Aerodrome with Barney on Sunday for their Vintage Fly-in day but it was too hot to expect Barney, who does not like the heat, to walk that far. Instead he had a run along the beach in the cool of the early morning, we followed this with breakfast at The White Horse. We then drove to the airfield and sat in the enclosure with a cold drink. There was a good turnout of planes during the morning (about fifteen) but most were newer than we expected. Enjoyable all the same, watching them come into land along with a Gyrocopter and Microlights. We left at lunch-time when some of the planes were departing and no doubt others landed during the afternoon.

Over the past few days, it has certainly felt like summer. It is starting to get light around three thirty in the morning and with our bedroom windows open we can hear the birds heralding a new day with their songs. If I am awake, around 4.30 a.m., I can see the sky ablaze as the sun rises over the horizon, bringing with it warmth that is promoting vigorous growth in our garden. This is followed by the sounds from Crab boats as they make their way along the coast with their engines gently putting; not long then until it is time for us to get up and take Barney for his walk. It is not just the birds that wake early; Bees are

Dog Rose

industriously visiting flowers and particularly favour our Himalayan Honeysuckle, Cerinthe and Erysimum. Later in the day we are visited by Hoverflies which buzz in the conservatory, pesky Flies and the occasional Bee which we return to the garden so it can continue its work. Another Butterfly type added to the list today spotted by Peter as we

Common Spotted Orchid

walked a field path, a Common Blue plus, a brilliant blue Damsel Fly darted through the grasses. The Common Spotted Orchids are in flower and I am pleased to see they are returning to an area that was ploughed a couple of years ago.

Just to round off, until next week - Peter has just told me the fourth and final Peregrine Falcon chick has fledged leaving the scrape nest on Norwich Cathedral vacant; that is, apart from the remains of previous meals bought to the growing youngsters by their parents.