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10th September 2006

A small group of Norfolk Mills Group members met at Horsey Car park on Sunday 10th September 2006. A bright blue sky, warm sun and a light breeze made perfect walking weather for our walk led by Mr. Robin Jeffries.

Horsey drainage mill

Robin explained how the formation of Horsey mere differed from the formation of the Broads in the area. The white sailed sailing boats gracefully moved across the mere as Anne Grand retold the age old tale of Childers Night, June 13th when the mere takes on quite a different but equally wonderful appearance as little spirit children return to laugh and play as they did in life.

Knopper Wasp Galls at Horsey

Dragonflies flitted across our path as we learnt to distinguish between the brown, blue and red dragonflies. The Knopper wasp gall was seen on many oak trees. Nature's rich larder displayed elderberries, rosehips, blackberries and hawthorn bushes turned red with abundant berries. A marsh harrier soared on thermals above the open marsh landscape.

Phil and Robin at Brograve mill	Anne and Robin at Brograve mill

Robin explained the somewhat alarming yellow ochre colour of the New Cut as we approached Brograve mill. Now derelict and forlorn, the mill still has two stocks remaining that made perfect perches for cormorants. It is said that the notorious and colourful Sir Berney Brograve who lived at Waxham Hall, once hid from the devil in Brograve mill.

 

Robin at Brograve mill	Robin observing cormorants at Brograve mill

 

The walk contrasted Horsey drainage mill, a restored red brick tower mill with four white painted patent sails, with Brograve mill, leaning and neglected and open to the elements against the smart sleek modern lines of the wind turbines at West Somerton, which as you walked miraculously appeared to change from the double line of five to a single line in the distance! Anne Grand