Guestwick Promises

Guestwick Actualité

2005-11-29T12:16:00.000Z

Apart from anything else - the fabulous

Exotic Evening of Eastern Promise(s)
was the best

Fun!

Thanks to the work of the amazing party team, Saturday seemed to be one of those rare occasions when everything worked just perfectly. By candle-light, Wood Norton Village Hall transformed into a mythical Eastern palace and looked utterly gorgeous. The air was scented by the hundreds of rose buds strewn on the floor, walls bedecked with jewel coloured and glittering saris, dozens of Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling, white linen covered tables stretched down the room adorned with candelabras, fruit and foliage as authentic Indian music gently played in the background.

Fancy dress and alter egos were taken up with energetic enthusiasm and gorgeous Maharajas and Potentates mingled with exotic beauties as they were entertained by snake charming and Egyptian dancing.

The food was universally agreed to have been a total triumph. The meticulous care, planning and flair that went into it made it seem as though you were dining at an intimate dinner party rather than a huge room full of people. Amazing.

The main business of the evening was the auction and huge thanks are due to the auctioneer and everyone who so generously donated the fantastic and imaginative promises and of course the bidders (including the many sealed bidders) who very energetically competed for the items.

Financially, the evening far exceeded our forecasts. Actual figures will be published after January 10th...

Many thanks to all involved.

Sealed bids (or your answer to some very special Christmas present shopping)

2005-11-28T14:50:00.000Z

The auction list is now complete! To the best of my knowledge anyway.

We have an amazing array of fantastic promises from a ride in a plane to a walk in the woods. If you can't attend the auction party on November 26th (as I type a very few tickets are still availble) don't despair - you can still bid on the lots as a "sealed bid". If you would like to submit a sealed bid please click here .

Rules for sealed bids.

To be submitted by 12 noon Saturday Nov 26th (using the link above). Please give your name address, phone number, the promise(s) you are bidding for and your top bid.

The auctioneer will take a starting price from the room (or at his discretion if there is no starting price in the room) and then bid, on your behalf up to your top price.
If your maximum price has not been reached when bids against you stop then you will have won the lot below your maximum price.
If someone in the room or another sealed-bid offers higher then you will not win the promise.

So bid confidently! It is in a very worthwhile cause and there is always a chance of a fantastic bargain.

You will be notified by email on Sunday 27th November whether or not you won the lot.

The List....

2005-11-26T16:21:00.000Z

The list...

Double click on the dates next to the promise to see more details.

1. 6 bottles of Claret Chateau Guibon Appellation Controlee 2001 See entry for 4th September for more details.

2. Be a train driver for a day! A days instruction on maintaining, firing and driving a miniature steam locomotive at Holt. For insurance purposes there will be a minimum age limit of 18. As well as an enamel club badge and driver's hat, North Norfolk Model Engineering Club membership will be included, which will also provide the promisee with a year of NNMEC's newsletter! See entries for 28th August and 1st Sept for more details,

3. A selection of high quality prints signed by internationally known professional photographers. (see number 15 ,16, 19 & 20, 24 - 27, 34, 35 and 38 to 41)

4. A trip for one in a Cessna light aircraft lasting for approximately 40 minutes.The route can be finalised with your pilot but we suggest a flight over Guestwick and the local villages which, if you live locally, can include your house.See entry for 21st August for more details.

5. A guided tour of Hindolveston Wood for four people.This is particularly appropriate for anyone who is interested in woodland flora and fauna, silviculture and the history of ancient woodland. The walk has been generously offered and will be guided by the man who best knows the woods and has been looking after them since 1977. See entry for 20th August for more details.

6. A trip for one in a Tiger Moth for up to an hour.We suggest the route could be over Guestwick and the local villages, perhaps including your house, and then on out to the coast. It would be a very stylish way to see the seals! See entry for 21st August for more details.

7. A weeks fishing pass at Bayfield Lake. Date to be arranged with the kind donor at your mutual convenience See entry for 22nd August for more details.

8. A drive for one in a pre-war Austin 7. The owner, who lives near Foulsham, will take you for a drive, of approx two hours, in one of the two cars.See entry for 24th August for more details.

9. A year's membership for two of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. See entry for 26th August for more details.

10. A 2-3 hour sail (depending on the tides) in the Blakeney, Morston area with an experienced local sailor. If you choose, also to include the seal colony on Blakeney point.See entry for 30th August for more details.

11. A joint of gammon from Brown's The Butcher of Reepham.See entry for 18th September for more details.

12. A two hour lesson in handbuilt pottery..See entry for 28th September for more details.

13. A personalised short story, featuring your name (or one of your choice if purchased as a gift) written by an award winning author. See entry for 18th October for more details.

14. A framed and signed print by well known artist Shirley Carnt - After The Storm - Thornham See entry for 20th October for more details.

15 & 16 Two signed prints by International Award winning photographer Jeremy NichollSee entry for 22nd October for more details.

17. A visit to the House of Commons followed by tea or coffee. See entry for 24th October for more details.

18. A professional composer will write for you a piece of music inspired by the Norfolk landscape and with a title of your choice. See entry for 25th October for more details.

19. Signed print of award winning photographer Brian Harris's photograph: The Reed Cutter.See entry for 26th October for more details.

20. Signed print of award winning photographer Brian Harris's photograph: Southwold Pier.See entry for 26th October for more details.

21. A very thorough carwash/valet. See entry for 27th October for more details.

22. A Tour of Norwich Catheral for two with The Dean See entry for 29th October for more details.

23. Use of an apartment by the sea for a week in beautiful St Margaret's Bay, Kent. See entry for 3rd Nov for more details.

24 to 27. Prints by international photojournalist Jiri Rezac See entry for 5th Nov for more details.

28 A beautiful vintage Berber rug bought in Morocco fifty years ago. See entry for 7th Nov for more details.

29 A one year season ticket for two to Pensthorpe nature reserve. See entry for 8th Nov for more details.

30 A beautiful vintage wedding sari (to wear or use as fabric for interior design) donated by Indianna of Kelling. See entry for 10th Nov for more details.

31 A signed print of the London Millennium night fireworks by photographer David Gordon, originally commissioned by Time Magazine.See entry for 12th Nov for more details.

32 The use of a luxury apartment for a week in the hills above Marbella, Spain See entry for 13th Nov for more details.

33 A beautiful pencil portrait of an adult, child or animal by professional artist Linda Nicol See entry for 14th Nov for more details.

34 & 35 Two signed, mounted prints by photojournalist David Gordon See entry for 22nd Nov for more details.

36 His and hers pre-Christmas rejuvenation pack (baskets full of pampering goodies plus a bottle of Veuve Clicquot)See entry for 22nd Nov for more details.

37 A trailerload of well rotted horse manure - perfect for the roses. See entry for 22nd Nov for more details.

38 to 41 Stunning signed and mounted prints by photjournalist Graham Trott See entry for 22nd Nov for more details.

42 A basket of ironing
See entry for 24th Nov for more details.

43 Sunday Lunch for two at the Royal Oak, Bintree See entry for 24th Nov for more details.

Lunch at The Royal Oak Bintree

2005-11-24T13:05:00.000Z

The Oak is one of the most popular pubs in the area and has a reputation for providing an excellent meal. I certainly love going there and a good number of people on my e-mail list are seen there regularly enjoying the excellent Adnams and roaring fire as well as a spot of lunch.

An added benefit is that it is within easy cycling distance for most of the villages - if you look carefully on the road between Hindol and Bintree you might be able to see a groove about the size of a bike wheel beginning to develop...

Tudor, the very popular and splendidly named landlord has long been a supporter of ours and has generously promised Sunday lunch for two.

A basket of ironing

2005-11-24T12:41:00.000Z

I do understand that there are ways of livening up ironing but for me (and I imagine I'm not alone) it would take a lot to make it fun.

So this would be an incredibly welcome promise.

The promise is: a basket of ironing. You deliver the basket (to Foulsham) in its tousled state and it will be returned to you beautifully pressed.

Simple. No snorkel required.

Signed prints - Graham Trott

2005-11-22T21:19:00.000Z

Our final top photojournalist, London based Graham Trott, has very generously given four quite stunning signed prints, with the emphasis on style and humour.

For technical reasons I am only able to reproduce three here, the fourth (a beautiful landscape) will be available for veiwing on the night of the auction.

The prints are A3 or larger and are mounted ready for framing and shrink wrapped to protect them until framing.

Windsor Davies

Fang

Cadilac

The secret of a perfect garden? Well rotted manure.

2005-11-22T17:15:00.000Z

This promise is for a trailer, delivered to your garden (Norfolk only I'm afraid!), of well rotted horse manure. It surely will make your roses the envy of your neighbours and your runner beans a joy to behold.

This isn't manure from any old pony, this is produced by the pure bred Arab bottom, so surely will be all the more effective. As if that wasn't classy enough the horses are ridden as endurance competitors and so are in the peak of health. Not surprisingly they are bedded on best straw. To recap - this is probably some of the finest manure ever auctioned.

His and hers pre-Christmas rejuvenation pack

2005-11-22T16:22:00.000Z

Luckily I don't have custody of this promise as yet, otherwise I think I would be lying, exquisitely perfumed, pampered and slightly sozzled in the bath right now!

This is a very empathetic and thoughtful promise, so many thanks to the kind donors.

The baskets comprise a luscious selection of luxurious spa treatments guaranteed to restore the most stressed festive hall-decker back to their former glory plus a bottle of Veuve Clicquot bubbly (to pour in a crystal glass - not into the bath*). To reassure the more nervous male reader, the blue basket contains suitably manly bath treats.

Double click on the photo above to reveal an enlarged image, better to savour the full delights of the baskets.

*unless that's your thing - you decadent lot!

Photo (above) is of Marian Fresk, California, 1942

David Gordon - Signed prints

2005-11-22T15:32:00.000Z

In addtion to his promise of the historic signed print of Millennium Night(See entry for 12th Nov for more details), photojournalist David Gordon has very generously given us two further signed prints.

Double click on either image to enlarge.

Yes was originally taken as part of David's work covering the Scottish devolution referendum. I think those colours would make a fantastic positive and cheering image to see first thing on a wintry morning.

The haunting Calanish Standing Stones are an ancient Celtic monument on the Isle of Lewis. Lewis being another beautiful landscape threatened by turbines. Local tradition explains the presence of these stones by saying that when giants of old, who then lived on the island, refused to be Christianed, St.Kieran turned them to stone. Another local belief of this Gaelic-speaking community was that when the sun rose on midsummer morn, the 'shining one' walked along the stone avenue, his arrival heralded by the cuckoo's call.

Both prints are approximately A3 size. All the prints in the auction have been professionally mounted ready for framing and are shrink wrapped to protect them.

A pencil portrait by professional artist Linda Nicol

2005-11-14T20:10:00.000Z

A luxury apartment in the hills above Marbella

2005-11-13T07:56:00.000Z

Marbella (see left), in Andalucia is known as the San Tropez of Spain; very upmarket and smart and has a reputation as a discreet hideaway for numerous celebrities.

As a star lot we have fantastically generously been given the use of a luxury private apartment for a week to auction.

El Viria is in the hills above Marbella is about 8 km from the bustle of the town, set amongst the protected cork oak woods. It has fantastic views down to the coast and on a clear day you can see the mountains of Africa. In fact most days are clear, it has 320 days of sun a year, and the temperature ranges between 16 to 30 degrees Celsius (61 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).

The apartment
The apartment has two double bedrooms, a single bedroom, two bathrooms, a well equipped kitchen and a comfortable sitting room, incorporating a dining area. It is on two floors with a lovely balcony in the top floor - perfect for a spot of sunbathing!

The design of the building is stepped so that it is not a faceless building, but has layers gently rising up with beautiful flowers overgrowing from and on each individual terrace.

Below the building is a lovely newly refurbished swimming pool. This is shared by the other owners in the small development but the apartments are all privately owned so they are never all occupied at once.

Because it is a private home and not rented out the owner doesn't have too much in the way of estate-agenty photos of the apartment (most of the ones I've been supplied are of the owner's lucky friends and family having a blissful holiday!). But to give an idea, this flat in the same development (click here) is rentable and the photos are a good indication of the layout of our apartment. However, I'm told that ours is actually better, not least because it is on the third floor and benefits far more from the amazing views.

Actual photos of the apartment (and blissful inhabitants!) can be supplied if you drop me an e-mail.

Nearby
There is an excellent restaurant just up the hill. Le Chene Liège, is reputed to be one of the very best on the coast. And many other spots for very good food are available within walking distance.

Apart from having the usual recreational water sports and facilities, without doubt golf is the highlight of this area. El Viria is in the centre of what is some times is referred to as the Golf Mile , and is known to have some of the best golf in Andalusia and beyond. Santa Clara, Santa Maria and Rio Real are all reachable within a couple of minutes drive.

And of course there is Marbella itself where you can enjoy watching all the yachts in the harbour.Every conceivable shop is there and many restaurants. A number of charming eating places exist on the beach itself and are lovely in the evening.

One of the nearest neighbours is Julio Iglesias' villa. Which always raises the possibility of his mega-star son Enrique visiting Dad....

Oh yes, I know - any excuse...!

Getting there
Malaga airport is about 40 km away. Flybe.com fly direct from Norwich as an alternative to driving down to Stansted or Gatwick, and at the moment they are flying all the year round several times a week. A random search for early next year came up with tickets from £67.12 including taxes.

The hire of a car would be recommended.

Availability
The flat would be available at anytime of the year, subject to the owner checking his diary.

The owner would like to limit the numbers using the apartment to 4 persons and restrict children to 12 years and over. Thank you for your understanding.

David Gordon - Signed Print of Time Magazine's Millenium Photograph

2005-11-12T14:27:00.000Z

Tickets for the auction party on the 26th Nov are very nearly sold out. If you are unable to attend, sealed bids and telephone bidding can be accepted. To email for further details, or to register for either method click here

To look through the whole blog click on "Archives" on the right hand side.

The Photographer David Gordon has very generously given a signed print of the historic photograph of Millennium Night that he took as a commission for Time Magazine. The beautiful print is approximately A3 size. Click on the photo to enlarge.

I'll let him describe the scene...

"Millennium Night, London, 1st January 2000

This photograph was originally shot on assignment for Time Magazine.

The new year celebrations in London were billed as the biggest ever fireworks display. Millions of people filled the streets all around the River Thames from where the display took place.

A number of locations were considered - including "official" positions, from where to photograph the fireworks. In the end the London Picture Editor secured a position in the building where Time have their London offices, Brettenham House.

From a balcony on the seventh floor where the style magazine Wallpaper is produced we found a view over Waterloo Bridge, looking south. Here the River bends around on itself and we could see from from St Paul's in the east to Westminster in the west. A few days before I prepared by shooting a few frames to get an idea of the scene and work out which lenses would be needed on the night.

On new year's eve I had the luxury of being able to wait in the warmth of an office. Occasional expeditions through the mass of people were made to photograph the big party - much of it happening underneath Waterloo bridge - and the throngs of people from my vantage on the balcony.

This photograph was taken within seconds of midnight as the fireworks display began. It is in fact the sixth frame out of four rolls I shot of the 15 minute display.

The films were processed by a lab which was specially open overnight. Scans were made directly from the negative for the magazine - this is the first time prints have been made from the film.

The picture appeared as a double page in the European edition of Time. It also appeared as double page in Hello! and was used by both the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.

After I saw the results in the magazine and everyone was happy with the picture I was able to admit to the Picture Editor, this was the first time I'd ever attempted to photograph fireworks!"
David Gordon

A sari from Indianna

2005-11-10T20:31:00.000Z

To look through the whole blog click on "Archives" on the right hand side.
Indianna at Kelling is a very special shop, deep in the Norfolk countryside who, over the weeks, have become central to our “Evening of Exotic Eastern Promises” party on 26th November. They import the most gorgeous textiles, clothes and jewellery, new and vintage, from India and the surrounding countries.

In the weeks running up to the party many of us (women and men!) have made our way to this grown-up’s sophisticated dressing-up box and have been bewitched by the colour and glamour of the dazzling outfits.

And Jean, Sandie and Co ensure that an afternoon spent there feels like a Bollywood party in itself. Faced with so many fabulous things to try on and twirl in, it does take a while to choose the absolutely right one. Fantasy clothes shopping is so much fun.

Given the liberation of fancy dress, you became addicted to the heady delights of rich silks and glitter catching the light. My final choice though was the one I spotted first and kept returning to. A rich garnet coloured bejewelled vintage silk kameez, skirt and wrap will be fantastic for future parties or dressed down as separates for a Friday night supper with friends. Or to just stroke and purr over!

And I strongly suspect a second journey could be imminent to claim the pink heavy silk vintage frock coat with 24 carat gold embroidery that looked amazing with jeans (though I say it myself!) and would work like a dream with a little black number.

They are all one-offs so this must be done soon. Wickedly, the clothes and jewellery are temptingly affordable.

Without giving too much away, Mr Norfolk-Skies is also going to be seen in an entirely new light on the 26th…

Apart from clothes (a hire service is also available – but I bet once you see them you’ll want to own them!), Indianna also do fantastic fabrics for interiors as well and provide a design service. Their commissions have come from Duchesses and Castles as well as the more humble dwelling. And, lucky us! They are going to help transform the party venue into a vision of Eastern Delight, fit for a Raja, donating the use of their gorgeous fabrics and helping us with a bit of expert draping!

But most kindly, Jean has incredibly generously donated her most special vintage wedding sari for us to auction. In India, red is the colour of purity, passion and happiness and so worn for wedding clothes. This exquisitely embroidered sari could equally be worn as a stunning evening dress (saris are deceptively simple to put on and comfortable to wear – millions of women wearing them every day can’t be wrong!) or the fabric could be used as a truly inspired item of interior decoration.

The sari comes in its own gold presentation pouch.

One of the really touching things about this auction is that we have received so much heartfelt encouragement and support from new friends stepping forward to make their voices heard from all over the county and much further afield. We are grateful beyond words.

Indianna is open 7 days a week and can be found in the barns on the Kelling Estate a few miles outside Holt. Follow the signs to Kelling and look for the sign to the Estate on the right.

A Year of Pensthorpe

2005-11-08T20:13:00.000Z

Tickets for the auction party on the 26th Nov are very nearly sold out. If you are unable to attend, sealed bids and telephone bidding can be accepted. To email for further details, or to register for either method click here

To look through the whole blog click on "Archives" on the right hand side.

Throughout the Guestwick campaign, we have been strongly supported by conservation and wildlife organisations, who oppose the construction of wind turbines in an area so rich in wildlife and protected species.

One of those organisations is Pensthorpe nature reserve, who have very generously offered us two promises for the auction, the first of which is a double one year season ticket.

Pensthorpe is 500 acres of nature reserve near Fakenham. It incorporates a rich diversity of habitat including woodland, lakes and unspoiled river. There are several areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest including the flood meadows of the River Wensum and old pasture filled with wild flowers and orchids.

Leaning one of the wooden bridges crossing the gin clear waters in the sunshine, watching the fish and the darting dragonflies, hoping for a rare glimpse of a water vole. B-liss!

Apart from providing a retreat for the likes of me, nationally and internationally important conservation work goes on there. One of the main strands of work at the moment is a breeding and release scheme for the corncrake, which was once numerous in these parts and hopefully will be heard again in the fields of East Anglia thanks to the Pensthorpe project.Click here to hear a corn crake call.

9th November - update. The Aviculturalist from Pensthorpe has just e-mailed me with this interesting corncrake fact. When migrating Corncrakes fly during the night and look to the horizon, not in front of them so they collide with obstacles that are on their migratory routes – therefore the turbines would be a hazard for them.

Alongside the managed conservation projects, nature takes advantage of the huge unspoiled natural environment there, for example wild otters now live and breed there. Great wild bird watching opportunities are available in the hides over looking the lakes, and Pensthorpe is an important part of the rich habitat and green corridor that make this patch of rural Norfolk so uniquely important to numerous wild species including raptors, owls and farmland species.

Close to the visitor’s centre, Pensthorpe also have their own permanent breeding collection of birds. If you have never seen a newly hatched avocet taking its first dabbles in the shallows beside its parents then I would suggest you have missed something very special. The aviaries are set in the beautiful Millennium Garden, which was designed by Piet Oudolf and the Wave Garden by Julie Toll – both winners of golds at Chelsea.

The visitor’s centre also houses a large gallery space which hosts very good exhibitions throughout the year, including the un-missable BBC/Natural History Museum International Wildlife Photographer of The Year.

I’d always thought of visits to Pensthorpe as an occasional treat, albeit one that we were most fortunate to have so handily close. But the chance to stroll into such a special place just whenever the muse strikes, as provided by the season tickets, would be a very desirable luxury!

Click here for Pensthorpe's website

A Casablanca Story

2005-11-07T20:06:00.000Z

Update - Commision a piece of Norfolk Music (Lot 18)

2005-11-06T09:08:00.000Z

Many congratulations on a triumph by one of our very kind promise donors!

Last night saw the world premier of Andrew Lowe-Watson's piece Trafalgar, performed at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich. This was, of course, written to commemorate Norfolk born Admiral Lord Nelson's bicentenary.

The performance was very beautiful, moving and stirring. You could could hear and smell the sea.

For full details of Andrew's wonderful promise to compose your own piece of music inspired by the Norfolk landscape and with a title of your choice see lot 18. Click here.

Jiri Rezac - Photographer

2005-11-05T12:38:00.000Z

Czech-born photographer Jiri Rezac inherited a passion for travelling and living in various places from his immigrant parents who left socialist Czechoslovakia in their quest for personal freedom and happiness. By the age of 25, Jiri was on his 6th passport and has seen and worked in more than 30 countries spread across Europe, Asia and America.
He developed a passion for photography at the age of 19 after leaving Germany and settling in Bangladesh where he worked as a teacher trainer in a rural education project. During his 20-month long stay, he became interested in documenting the daily lives of ordinary people. Showing a different side of the commonly stereotyped Bangladesh as a flood and hurricane-stricken country devoid of the bright sides of life became a mission for him.

His reportage on the Bangladeshi shipbreakers is phenomonal. Click here In fact his whole website is well worth spending time with. Click here

He has photographed people as diverse as Train Robber Bruce Reynolds, Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood and Tony Blair.

His pictures have appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, The Times, The FT, Tatler Magazine, and many other publications worldwide. He also works with Christian Aid.

Jiri has very generously given us four stunning prints to auction. Click on each image to enlarge.

Promise 24

Promise 25 - The London Eye before sunset

Promise 26

Promise 27 - Eros

A week by the Sea

2005-11-03T17:13:00.000Z

This may look like Corsica but in fact it is beautiful St Margaret's Bay in Kent where we have been offered the very generous promise of the use of a luxury apartment for a week. Elegant St Margaret's Bay has long been the retreat of the rich and famous. Former residents include Noel Coward, Peter Ustinov and Ian Fleming. In fact in Moonraker James Bond stays at The Granville whilst in pursuit of the evil Hugo Drax. The apartments are on the site of the famous former Granville Hotel and take its name.

Set in three acres of beautifully maintained gardens, a gate from which leads down to the sea, The Granville is adjacent to National Trust land, stretching over the famous white cliffs toward the neighbouring village of Kingsdown. The Kent Downs have been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there are wonderful walks rich in flora and wildlife to be enjoyed.

Close to the apartment are plenty of excellent eating and drinking opportunities and there are golf courses nearby. The sandy beach also has rock pools and is good for shrimping and swimming. The historic city of Canterbury is 12 miles away and day trips to France are very easy with the tunnel only 10 miles away and Ashford 30 miles. On a clear day the clock tower at Calais is easily visible from the apartment's balcony where you can sit and take a leisurely breakfast or, in the evening, sip a glass of something chilled. A dry martini perhaps?

The apartment has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and sleeps four. It has a fully fitted kitchen, including a dishwasher and a washer/dryer. There is well lit underground secure parking.

The apartment is a private home rather than a holiday let so the generous donors have asked that there be no animals or children under 12 in the party.

If you need any further information about this fantastic promise please contact us using the link above or in the "links" section to the right.

A Tour of Norwich Cathedral with The Dean

2005-10-29T07:58:00.000+01:00

Tickets for the auction party on the 26th Nov are very nearly sold out. If you are unable to attend, sealed bids and telephone bidding can be accepted. To email for further details, or to register for either method click here

In a county known throughout Europe for its medieval churches, the pale and magnificent Norwich Cathedral, dominating the Norwich skyline, has been a focal point for the region since it was built nearly 1,000 years ago.

Norwich Cathedral boasts several superlatives. It is one of the finest complete Romanesque buildings in Europe. It has the second highest spire in England - only Salisbury is higher and it has the second largest monastic cloisters in England. The 1,106 roof bosses throughout The Cathedral, are unparalleled in Christendom in their range, quantity and theological comprehensiveness. The detail and humour (see picture of ram above) never fail to amaze.

The great height of the Cathedral has been an important reference point throughout the Guestwick campaign, at 315 feet (96 meters) the top of the spire is considerably shorter than each of the six turbines would be at 394 foot (120 meters).

We have been given a very special opportunity; The Dean of Norwich, the Very Rev Graham Smith has kindly agreed to offer as a promise The Dean's tour of Norwich Cathedral and environs (lasting about an hour) where he will personally guide a couple around the normally private areas of the Cathedral complex. This will be a fascinating way to see, or re-visit this wonderful building and it is a great privilege for us to be offered such a wonderful promise.

Carwash

2005-10-27T14:11:00.000+01:00

Tickets for the auction party on the 26th Nov are very nearly sold out. If you are unable to attend, sealed bids and telephone bidding can be accepted. To email for further details, or to register for either method click here

Okay the picture does not reflect the superior quality of work involved in this promise - but it was not to be resisted!

It is also not a picture of the very kind promiser. Though he would look particularly fetching in that hat.

The promise is a full valet/carwash. This will include internal hoovering of carpets and upholstery and cleaning of the inside windows. Outside, car will be rinsed with a pressure washer to loosen dirt, washed with shampoo and leathered dry including doorcills and usually hidden bits at bottom of doors. If there are squashed insects on the front, they will be carefully shifted too. Although, sadly, not necessarily revived.

The cleansing of your vehicle to its former pristine condition will take place at the promiser's lovely home in Guestwick.

You have the option of leaving your car to pick up later (the job will take approximately two hours) or staying around the village. If you like, the promiser will settle you down comfortably with tea or coffee and the papers whilst he toils and buffs. Or, the healthy option, you could perhaps go for a walk in the fine and peaceful countryside around Guestwick.

Brian Harris - signed photographs

2005-10-26T18:28:00.000+01:00

Tickets for the auction party on the 26th Nov are very nearly sold out. If you are unable to attend, sealed bids and telephone bidding can be accepted. To email for further details, or to register for either method click here

Andrew Marr calls him “The Great Brian Harris”, he is one of the best and most respected photographers working in the UK. It is said by those who know that you can recognise a Brian Harris photograph from 10ft. He worked as a Staff Photographer on The Times until he was appointed Chief Photographer of The Independent when it launched in 1986 and, working with photographers such as Jeremy Nicholl, he created The Independent’s unique reputation for the highest quality of photojournalism.

Brian has received many awards for his work, including the prestigious "What the Papers Say" Photographer of the Year Award. He has had solo exhibitions, notably at the Barbican Arts Centre and the Photofusion gallery in London and contributed work to collective exhibitions, most recently at the Hayward Gallery on London's South Bank.

His passion is photography - he is never without a camera, be it the latest digital confection, his well-worn Leica or a cheap disposable. The important factor is what the image says, not how it was created.

His website is very well worth a look (run your mouse over the green bars at the side to navigate).

Brian has very kindly offered us two stunning signed prints to auction. The prints are 15inch on A3 paper High Quality ink jet prints and for conservation purposes should be displayed out of sunlight and behind UV absorbant glass.

Promise 19. The Reedcutter (click photo to enlarge)

Eric Edwards became a marshman in 1967. He's now the last of his kind. He now works for the Broads Authority, managing their marshes at How Hill, cutting reed and sedge, which will be used by local thatchers or used to make panels.

Promise 20. Southwold Pier (click photo to enlarge)
This is a great time of change in the history of this landmark. After years of storm damage and neglect, the pier, which was originally built in 1900, has been completely rebuilt.

Commission a piece of Norfolk music

2005-10-25T18:36:00.000+01:00

Professional musician, Andrew Lowe-Watson’s unique and wonderful promise for the auction is to compose a short piece of music. The piece will be inspired by the Norfolk landscape and the title can be suggested by the lucky winner.

The piece will be about 3 to 5 minutes long and composed for any solo instrument; piano, pan-pipes, accordion – the choice is yours. You will receive an autographed score and a CD of your piece, recorded using the software that he works with professionally.

As a Trinity College Cambridge undergraduate, Andrew won the University Chamber Choir's Composition Prize for settings of Manley Hopkins, one of which, The Windhover, was sung on the Backs in May Week to an audience of three thousand. Andrew‘s career has included being a concert pianist and musical director. Most recently, he has concentrated solely on composition and his music is performed internationally.

Andrew has written church music, chamber works, part-songs, a suite of Nature Pieces for solo piano, and orchestral works, as well as incidental music for stage and screen. His compositions have been broadcast and in June 2004 his opera was given its world premiere in a concert performance at the Lilian Baylis Theatre, Sadlers Wells, London.

Andrew lives in Norfolk and so, as part of the national celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar, he has written two orchestral works about Nelson.
Hooratio! was commissioned using funding from the National Lottery by North Walsham, the town in Norfolk where Nelson went to school and was premiered in the town.
The overture Trafalgar (1805) has been recorded by the Moscow International Symphony Orchestra conducted by Konstantin Krimetz. Its world premiere takes place in Norwich, as the opening concert of the Norwich Philharmonic Society's 2005-6 season at St. Andrew's Hall on November 5th.

This is another lot that could make a fantastic and truly memorable gift

Guided tour of the House of Commons

2005-10-24T22:33:00.000+01:00

Keith Simpson MP, for Guestwick and Mid Norfolk has very kindly offered a promise of a visit to the House of Commons, followed by tea or coffee.

It is fascinating at whatever age to see the inside of such an iconic building and hear about the workings of parliament from an insider; having been taken around as a small child, my visit made a lasting impression.

Signed Prints - Jeremy Nicholl

2005-10-22T11:25:00.000+01:00

Behind the scenes, we are receiving a lot of valuable support from a number of international professional photographers. The landscape around here is held in high regard and has motivated a great deal of protective feeling.

Several of them are very generously donating some of the best known photographs that they have in their professional portfolios. They will be auctioned as signed prints. Over the next few weeks I'll add them to the list.

We'll start with Jeremy Nicholl. Jeremy works in the former USSR as one of the most highly regarded photojournalists but he has made his UK base in this patch of North Norfolk.

Born in Northern Ireland, Jeremy began his career in London, rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the UK's leading news photographers. In 1986 he was invited to join a proposed new national newspaper, the Independent, becoming a core member of an award winning editorial team.

In 1989 he left the paper to concentrate on longer term documentary photography, and since 1991 has specialised in reportage from across Russia and the Former Soviet Union, while taking time out to work on assignment photography and personal projects elsewhere. Jeremy's work has appeared in a wide range of publications around the world and been shown at numerous international festivals and exhibitions. You can see more of his work by clicking here.

The Photographs:

The two photographs for auction are from his series on Sandunovskaya Banya, Russia's most famous public bath-house. The series won an award in the Daily Life category of the World Press Photo contest, and both Best Story of the Year and Best News Story of the Year at Interfoto, Russia's leading contest for professional photographers.

The prints will be approximately A3 size.

After years of neglect Sandunovskaya Banya, Russia's most famous public bath-house, has been restored to its former splendour. Located close to the Kremlin, the 100 year old baths used to be popular with Communist Party cadres. Today they are a favourite meeting place for Moscow's nouveau riche.

Photograph 1
The ultimate in luxury is a private room with its own parilka [steam-room], only affordable by Sandunovskaya's wealthiest clients. A group of ex-paratroopers involved in Russia's lucrative banking and security business celebrate a birthday in style with wives and girlfriends.

Photograph 2

This group of women meet every Monday morning for a bathing session which they complete with an extensive lunch.

On a personal note, I am thrilled and grateful that we have been offered two such fantastic images. A photojournalist works on a different level to other photographers, and the difference is the presence in the image of the "story". Obviously, we are now embarking on a whole new territory that throws my own previous snaps on the blog into an embarrassing cocked hat - but hey, I can live with the humiliation!

Foxley Wood

2005-10-21T18:47:00.000+01:00

The wonderful Foxley Wood is just over two miles from the proposed turbine site.

It forms part of a green corridor of ancient woodland. Swanton Novers Great Wood (which is English Nature managed, an SSSI and National Nature Reserve), Hindolveston Wood (which adjoins the turbine site - See entry for 20th August) Sennowe Park and Foxley Wood. There are copses and stands of trees between the ancient woods, making the turbine site part of an important avian route between these habitats - espcially for raptors and juveniles looking for new territories.

Foxley Wood is the largest remaining block of ancient woodland in Norfolk. Owned by Norfolk Wildlife Trust, it was awarded National Nature Reserve status in May 2002.

This prestigious award put the wood in the top tier of nature reserves nationally. It is thought to be about 6,000 years old and was mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust purchased Foxley Wood in 1988 and began the long, slow process of revitalising the wood by reintroducing the techniques which local people used to manage it in times past.

In the spring the wood has magnificent flowers, including yellow primroses, violets and the early purple orchid. It is also home to many species of butterfly and birds.

Unlike Hindolveston and Swanton Novers Woods, which are private (which has significant wildlife advantages), Foxley is open to the public and a well used and valued amenity.

Framed Print - Shirley Carnt

2005-10-20T19:45:00.000+01:00

In preparation for the Exotic Evening of Eastern Promises, three of our more fabulous local inhabitants were at Indianna at Kelling, trying on eastern apparel and generally drawing a crowd. The well-known artist Shirley Carnt happened to be there and one thing led to another and she very generously and spontaneously offered a signed, framed, print as a promise for the auction.

She has painted and exhibited one-man shows worldwide, from Switzerland to New York, London, Paris and Brussels, to name but a few.

Although Shirley has traveled the world she is a passionate Norfolk woman. She lives and works from her Studio at Kelling Hall and also in her studio cottage on the edge of the marsh at Thornham where uninterrupted views of the sea and marsh and the ever changing sky give inspiration. Click here for Shirley's website .

The signed and framed print is shown above (although it doesn't really do it justice) and is called After The Storm - Thornham. It is a wonderfully appropriate promise as its strength is a representative symbol of the thing we are fighting for - the unique Norfolk skies.

It can be done! Well, we know that...

2005-10-18T18:15:00.000+01:00

Good news from our friend in Wales. The developer planning to build on Cardiff parkland click here has withdrawn their application as a result of a well organised local campaign. It was at the eleventh hour - the planning meeting would have been tomorrow.

Common sense can prevail!

October night

2005-10-16T18:59:00.000+01:00

The moon tonight is 97% full - and very lovely on such a clear still night. One of the (long list of!) priceless things about being in the depths of the countryside is the clear still nights with almost no light pollution and no background noise. Just the moon and the stars, the bats and the hoots of the owls.

Commission a short story

2005-10-15T12:44:00.000+01:00

This promise simply has to be a red hot favourite! I'd suggest that it would be the most original and thrilling present for someone. Especially that someone who is normally just a little hard to buy for...

Dawn Lowe-Watson is an award winning writer. She has published three novels and her plays have frequently featured on Radio Four. The most recent, Fog and Shifting Pebbles, was broadcast on the 22nd August. Well known actors such as Geoffrey Palmer and Helena Bonham-Carter have starred in them.

The fantastic promise is a short story (up to 3,000 words) using the winner's name. It could be romantic, philosophic, spooky or exciting - it's your choice. Dawn would just need to know the name and date of birth, to help inspiration.

It would make a wonderful and very personal gift...

...but on the other hand no one would blame you if wou wanted to have it written about yourself!

Crow tree

2005-10-02T20:06:00.000+01:00

Taken this evening. Also saw a barn owl hunting but the crows were much more cooperative about being photographed.

Quiet lanes

2005-09-30T11:01:00.000+01:00

Build a pot

2005-09-28T22:02:00.000+01:00

Kate Vogler is a well known Norfolk ceramacist. Her work is sold at pretigious galleries such as The Grapevine in Norwich, Big Blue Sky at Wells and The Old Barn Studios at Kettlestone.

She is also a lovely person and can impart to you some of the mysteries of clay.

The promise is a two hour lesson in handbuilt pottery. No guarantees that you will build something as beautiful as her pots in these pictures but you will learn how and have great fun trying! And you may uncover some hidden talents.

Sunset

2005-09-22T20:13:00.000+01:00

Looking down toward Guestwick from Wood Dalling

The Thurning Road

Cobwebs

2005-09-21T12:36:00.000+01:00

At this time of year they are just magical - especially early in the morning with the sun low and heavy with dew.
These were all taken this morning. Of course, the price to pay for wandering the countryside in all that dew is sopping wet jeans - about six inches up from the hem. Yuk.

Just don't give 'em milk!

2005-09-19T08:11:00.000+01:00

Sometimes the wildlife needs a helping hand.

After the first cold night a couple of mornings ago I found a small hedgehog lying in the sun in the garden. Looking all wrong.

In a state of collapse, very weak and shaking, it was still perky enough to wolf down a couple of peanuts when offered. Already blow flies were starting to pay it attention so the first course of action seemed to be to get it away from them.

Once safely in the shed in a paper-lined box with a plate of cat food to keep it entertained, the advice of the Hedgehog Society was sought. Over the phone I learnt that the little mite was very cold (hence the shaking) and had found its way into the sun to try and warm up. So the shed was a bad move! Under instruction, it was brought indoors to the warm kitchen. A hot water bottle was propped under the box and it crawled onto the warm spot. After a good feed of Turkey Whiskas in jelly it tucked its nose under and slept like a log on the hotwater bottle for the afternoon until I could take it over to the Hedgehog Society lady on the other side of Aylsham. The picture on the right is it just starting to doze. I know, but really - ahhh.

Sandra gave it a shot of antibiotics and identified it as a juvenile female. At this time of year they need to be at least 1 1/2 pounds to survive the winter but she was very young (like horses, you can tell by the teeth!) and only 12 ounces. Left to her own devices she would certainly have died.

So she is going to spend the winter in the expert hands of the Hedgehog Lady (with a variety of other hedgehog waifs and strays) and then come back to live in our garden (cue Born Free music) in the spring.

A happy ending.

So, I thought I'd share 9 things I've learnt about hedgehogs...

1. Never give them milk. Despite the fact that they will cheerfully tuck in, the traditional plate of bread and milk left out for them can kill hedgehogs. They can't digest cows milk and it gives them diarrhoea which can fatally dehydrate them.

2. Hedgehogs are in trouble. Numbers have declined by 20% since 2001. Amongst other factors, tidier decked gardens are responsible. Luckily, no one can accuse Blues Skies HQ of having a too tidy garden! In fact hedgehogs need overgrown hedgerows and woodland edges to nest and rough pasture to find food, so the villages and countryside around here represent a pretty good environment (coupled with the relatively low levels of traffic).

3. You will be very popular in the hedgehog world if you leave out a small plate of cat or dog food or (unsalted) peanuts at night. And give them safe access to clean water.

4. If you see a hedgehog in daylight it has got a problem so you should put it in a box and phone the Hedgehog Society (see link right or click here).

5. Fleas. A healthy hedgehog will have some fleas. But don't panic. Hedgehog fleas are quite different to cat, dog or human fleas. If they get onto anything other than a hedgehog they will find it too warm and jump off and wait for the next passing spike. Or expire - whichever happens soonest. I didn't see any fleas around my one until the Hedgehog Lady gave her a small puff of flea powder. Then the blighters jumped off - bizarrely, by this stage in my rapid training I recognised them as a good sign and was pleased to see them! But sneakily delighted that they had stayed put whilst the hedgehog was in my kitchen.

6. Fly eggs. Can be removed by warming with a hair dryer.

7. Don't use slug pellets in your garden - it will kill them! Hedgehogs eat the dying slugs and get poisoned. One of the best ways to reduce slugs is encourage a hedgehog to treat your garden as home - they will hoover them up. Otherwise you can use beer traps and half grapefruits to catch slugs and snails.

8. Before you light a bonfire this autumn, think that the heap, if left out overnight may have become a sleeping place for a hedgehog. Best way to avaoid a horrible tragdey is to move it to a different spot before you light it.

9. Make a hedgehog nest. I've done this before by leaving a good dense heap of sticks and twigs in a quiet area of the garden and I have to confess, not really expecting it to work. But next spring, to my amazement, found a slumbering hedgehog under it. Result!

Gammon

2005-09-18T17:18:00.000+01:00

One of the many wonderful things about living in these parts is that it is very easy to shop and hardly ever see the inside of a dreaded supermarket. A lot of our goods and services can be easily found locally, keeping the food miles down and the money within the local economy.

Here at Blue Skies HQ, we haven't bought a single bit of supermarket meat for about three years.

One of our local butchers is Brian Brown of Browns the butchers in Reepham. He's a lovely chap, sells very good meat and furthermore has very generously donated a joint of his excellent gammon for the auction of promises.

Turkey plus 1

2005-09-12T16:11:00.000+01:00

And just to prove it's really Norfolk - some friends met whilst cycling the highways and byways....

Messing about on boats - the picture

2005-09-07T19:54:00.000+01:00

As an update to the promise of a gentle 2-3 hour sail (click to see entry for 30th August for more details) , this is a picture of the beautiful wooden boat in which you will be able to relax as you are steered by your captain. Just perfect!

Owls and deer

2005-09-06T10:35:00.000+01:00

Another early morning cycle along the lanes and a couple of missed opportunities. I was heading for the river and couldn't grab my camera out of my bag quite fast enough to catch a shot of the heron lazily flying out from just below me, as I arrived on the bridge. And on the way home toward breakfast a tawny owl flew immediately overhead onto a vergeside oak tree but as soon as I stopped the bike it vanished into the foliage. Birds seem not to mind whilst you are cycling but feel threatened as soon as you stop.Never the less, I did spend a half an hour watching a couple of deer grazing in the water meadow and the barn owl hunting...

You do need to click on the images to see a bit more detail - sorry. I think today is the day I order that teleconverter!

Indian summer

2005-09-05T12:59:00.000+01:00

A really beautiful day at Blakeney and Cley yesterday and people were enjoying the last days of summer beside the briny in all sorts of ways.

Although Norfolk is a vibrant community, with a wide variety of businesses, a significant part of the local economy works because people come here to enjoy the unspoilt coast and countryside - pretty much all year round.

But it's even better when it's all just on your doorstep.

Chateau Guibon 2001

2005-09-04T19:38:00.000+01:00

To fill in a little background detail on promise No 1 - six bottles of Chateau Guibon 2001; which is described by the generous donor as a good 'honest' claret.

The wine is bottled at the chateau in the Gironde département of South West France, an area which is home to some of the most famous names in wine. Its proprietor, and also the trader, is M. Andre Lurton. He is an extraordinary man who has been President of the Departmental Federation of Oenological Centres, Director of the National Confederation of Appellations Contrôlées and President and founder of the Association for the Protection and Conservation of Agricultural Land (responsible for carrying out studies to further the conservation of the natural agricultural and viticultural heritage of Bordeaux).

This claret is also purchased by the donor's French club in Paris.

So it has a good provenance and would make an excellent addition to your cellar (or rack).

Sloes

2005-09-03T08:14:00.000+01:00

It's going to be one of those years that is good for sloes. Always a bonus. A beautiful hedgerow fruit and priceless to those of us who like a warming nip around Christmas. To quote Humphrey Lyttelton.

I'm not saying where these are, you'll just have to find your own. An unkind joke, which obviously I've never done, is to take a novice picking and get them to take a tiny nibble at one of the sloes - they are the most mouth-puckeringly dry thing ever created. But sloe gin transforms them into a truly sublime tasting deep magenta liqueur, best enjoyed in front of a fire in the depths of winter. Sloes traditionally shouldn't be picked until the first frost, so they have a way to go yet. Watch this space, if the birds don't get these first, a promise of a bottle of my much sought after home made sloe gin, ready for Christmas, may possibly turn up on the list in due course.

Major promise update!

2005-09-01T10:40:00.000+01:00

Hot news from the North Norfolk Model Engineering Club is that their chairman is very impressed with the blog entry and hopes to be at the tracks on the day the promise is taken.
This has caused a wave of excitement (especially here at Norfolk Skies HQ) and has also inspired the kind donor of the original, and already generous, promise to significantly upgrade! Promise 2 will now include the gift of a stylish enamel club badge and a drivers cap. You can't really drive a steam engine without a grease top hat after all.

I'm reliably informed that hot oily water is not pleasant on one's head, especially if there are signs of wear in the hair dept!

Hares

2005-08-31T12:01:00.000+01:00

A happy twenty minutes watching three hares enjoying the sunshine just outside the village this morning.

I do realise that it would be a kindness to us all if I treated myself to a telephoto lens....

Messing about in a boat

2005-08-30T07:11:00.000+01:00

Those seals will be getting a lot of attention as a result of these promises!

The whole of the coastline here forms part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - and with justification, for there are few stretches of coast in England that remain so unspoiled and undeveloped. It is a place to refresh both body and soul. And one of the best ways of experiencing it close to is by getting in a boat and going out on the creeks, navigating through the salt marshes to the sea.

Blakeney National Nature Reserve extends to 1097ha (2711 acres) almost all of which is within the ownership of the National Trust. It includes Blakeney Point, Blakeney Freshes, Morston and Stiffkey Marshes and supports a wide range of coastal plant communities with many nationally important species. Blakeney Point itself is a 3½ml long sand and shingle spit, noted for its colonies of breeding terns and migrant birds passing through. And, of course, famously both common and grey seals live and breed on the end of the spit. The seals are very comfortable with boats which means you can observe them basking on the colony or in the water at very close quarters without disturbing them at all.

The promise is a sail in the Blakeney area in a safe 15ft dingy with a very experienced local sailor who has a wealth of knowledge about the area. Depending on the tides, the journey will last for 2-3 hours and the route and date can be arranged by mutual agreement with the very kind donor.

The hour after dawn...

2005-08-29T08:06:00.000+01:00

Us larks may rarely make it to the ten o’clock news but we do get to see the best bit of the day. Stepping out through the village and onto the footpaths at 6.30, it was another breathtaking morning. The only sounds were a cockrel, the wild birds (which thankfully the countryside hereabouts is alive with) and the occasional rustle from a small mammal scurrying at the bottom of the hedgerows.

Soul food.

Over the tracks, over the tracks...

2005-08-28T16:05:00.000+01:00

Based at Holt station, the North Norfolk Model Engineering Club (NNMEC) is the place to realise those early ambitions to be a steam engine driver. The track runs for 300ft, parallel to the North Norfolk Poppy Line locos, the little trains pull a passenger as well as the driver. And, as I somehow earned the privilege of a complementary ride on the miniature railway this afternoon, I’m here to say it was going fast!

Blogging reaps some unexpected rewards.

Promise number two is a day’s instruction for one on maintaining, firing and driving a miniature steam locomotive at Holt. For insurance purposes there will be a minimum age limit of 18. North Norfolk Model Engineering Club membership will be included, which will also provide the promisee with a year of NNMEC’s newsletter.

The kind donor is a knowledgeable enthusiast and the owner of two (and possibly more by the time the promise is traded in) coal fired steam engines. One of which will be on display at the auction on November 26th, hopefully to whip the bidding into a frenzy.

Who do you know who has always wanted to get behind the controls of a steam train? Smuts in the eye are an optional extra…

Look no filters...

2005-08-27T20:07:00.000+01:00

The light this close to the coast is so beautiful that sometimes it seems to good to be true. Cross my heart and hope to die, this was just point and click.

Campaigning for the Norfolk Countryside

2005-08-26T12:55:00.000+01:00

With well over 1,000 members in the county, Norfolk is one of the healthiest branches of The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) demonstrating how much the protection of our local countryside is something that many people in Norfolk are concerned about.

CPRE have campaigned hard alongside us by gathering evidence and publicising the threat to Guestwick and the surrounding countryside of industrial scale development.

They work to protect the beauty, diversity and tranquillity of the Norfolk countryside and coastline and care deeply about the future of rural landscapes in Norfolk and the quality of life for its inhabitants. For example, one of their current campaigns is tackling the issue of dark skies and aims to reduce the increasing levels of light pollution in the UK. CPRE Norfolk are raising awareness of the issue and campaigning for better lighting controls.

The promise, generously donated by CPRE Norfolk, is a year's membership for two to CPRE. The winning bid will receive a quarterly magazine from CPRE and the Norfolk Countryside Review - which is published three times a year. You will also receive a membership card which gives half price entry to over 200 beautiful and historic houses and gardens in England, including Holkham Hall, Mannington Hall and Wolterton Park in Norfolk. As a member of the Norfolk branch, you will be in touch with their local campaigning activities and be invited to local social events, talks, presentations and conferences. You will also have access to the knowledge and resources of the CPRE Norfolk county-wide team of volunteers who will be happy to help with any concerns you may have in your area.

A summer morning

2005-08-25T09:24:00.000+01:00

Out on the bike this morning the peacful lanes were just perfect in the early light. My fellow travellers were a guy driving a pony and trap and a neighbour enjoying the same cycle ride but in the opposite direction.

Skitfield Road

Pre war motoring

2005-08-24T16:20:00.000+01:00

I think we should all hum Larry Adler's theme from Genevieve to get in the right spirit for this!

A drive for one in a pre-war Austin 7
The kind owner, who lives near Foulsham, will take you for a drive, of approx two hours, in one of two cars.
Mavis (left) is an Austin 7 Opal, two seat tourer made in 1937. She has a hood, doors and soft suspension and will give you a genuine taste of pre-war motoring.

The Paxton Austin 7 Special (right), based on original chassis made in 1938, is a tuned fast road car with a Brooklands exhaust and provides an exhilarating ride at speeds up to 70 MPH.

You may choose whichever car you prefer for the drive, which could take in, for example, a visit to the coast or perhaps a nostalgic heritage tour through the timeless North Norfolk country lanes passing Blickling, Holkham or Felbrigg.

And rest.

2005-08-23T20:17:00.000+01:00

No promise added to the list tonight. If the list grew by one every night we'd have about 100 come November....

.... and that would make it a very long evening.

Gone fishin'

2005-08-22T12:53:00.000+01:00

The long, thin lake at Bayfield Hall in many ways epitomises the beauty of the lower Glaven valley. It was dug in the late eighteenth century for ornamental purposes. In the late nineteenth century an ‘extravaganza’ tunnel was built into the valley side so that the Glaven could be partly diverted around the lake.

The Georgian style house (rebuilt in the 18th Century from an earlier Tudor house) is sited in one of the most beautiful country parks in Norfolk. The large 500-acre park, designed by Repton, is laid to grass and dotted with ancient oaks and beeches whilst the lake runs serenely through its middle.

You really couldn't wish for a more beautiful setting for a spot of fishing. The promise is one weeks coarse fishing pass on Bayfield Lake, your potential quarry including carp and tench. The date to be arranged at your mutual convenience with the very kind donor.

See North Norfolk from the sky

2005-08-21T08:23:00.000+01:00

Not one but two flights! Either of which could make a fantastic Christmas or Birthday present – or a huge treat for yourself. One flight will be in a Tiger Moth which we are recommended will be best enjoyed once the weather starts to warm up a bit in the Spring and the other in a Cessna, which has a heater, and so can comfortably be taken nearer the time of purchase.

Lot 4 Is a trip for one in a Cessna light aircraft (the plane in the photo below) lasting for approximately 40 minutes. The route can be finalised with your pilot but we suggest a flight over Guestwick and the local villages – which, if you live locally, can include your house!

Lot 6 Is a trip for one in a Tiger Moth (the plane in the photo above) for up to an hour so we suggest the route could be over Guestwick and the surrounding villages (including your house if you live locally) and then on out to the coast. It would be a very stylish way to see the seals!

Your pilot and the very kind donor is an ex- RAF pilot who now works as a flying instructor, so you could not be in safer and more experienced hands. Living in one of the villages adjacent to Guestwick, he memorably captivated those of us on his email list with a truly magical description of early summer flying over the proposed turbine development alongside the buzzards who were peacefully drifting on the thermals. We can’t promise you that experience (unless we manage to have a quiet word with the buzzards first) but we can guarantee it will be a rare opportunity to view the countryside from a unique perspective.

The exact time and day of the flights can be arranged with the pilot at your mutual convenience. If you need to know more or have any questions, please e-mail using the “Contact us” link on the right.

2005-08-21T08:18:00.000+01:00

A walk in the woods

2005-08-20T08:27:00.000+01:00

Hindolveston Wood is 171 acres of beautiful old woodland which was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. It has been woodland since the wild wood covered England after the last ice age 20,000 years ago and it features in Oliver Rackham’s recent book The History of the Countryside. It is sensitively managed with wildlife very much in mind and uses the ancient techniques of coppicing to produce hazel. The wood is private and so provides an undisturbed habitat for the many animal and bird species that live there. It is very rich in ground flora and contains many of the plants which are used as indicators for ancient woodland. For birds, it is part of a green corridor of woodlands which includes Sennowe Park and Swanton Novers Woods.

The promise is A Guided Tour of Hindolveston Wood for Four People. This will be a particularly attractive lot for anyone (myself included!) who is interested in woodland flora and fauna, silviculture and the history of ancient woodland. The walk has been generously offered and will be guided by the man who best knows the woods and has been looking after them since 1977.

A good start...

2005-08-19T11:48:00.000+01:00

Promises for the grand Auction of Promises on November 26th (in order of receipt) to date are:

1. 6 bottles of Claret Chateau Guibon Appellation Controlee 2001

2. Be a train driver for a day!
A days instruction on maintaining, firing and driving a miniature steam locomotive at Holt. For insurance purposes there will be a minimum age limit of 18. North Norfolk Model Engineering Club membership will be included, which will also provide the promisee with a year of NNMEC’s newsletter!

3. A selection of high quality prints signed by internationally known professional photographers.

4. A light aircraft flight over local villages

2005-08-19T10:28:00.000+01:00

The beautiful big blue Norfolk sky over Hindolveston Woods....just where the six turbines would tower over the trees.