I got off the station platform, went under the tracks, and headed to the Tourist information center first to find a place to stay for the night. I had checked the location of the i mark on the map, so I was able to find the information center right away. I wanted to get a good night's sleep in bed tonight, so I pushed the glass door of the information center to enter. But there was someone inside, but the door wouldn't open. I tried to enter without reading the sign on the locked door that said the store opens at 9:00. There were still more than 10 minutes until 9:00. The staff member inside told me that the door next to it was open. I was in a hurry.
It was still before opening time, but I was shown to the counter and they kindly asked me what I wanted. "I'd like a B&B for tonight. I don't have a reservation." I told them that I came "for Swallows and Amazons." I guess I'll have to stay in Horning Village, so they called around and found a place for me. I ended up staying at Gable Cottage. It was a thatched house. Then, since it was immediately clear that I was not good at English, she drew me a map with an illustration and then walked me to the bus stop. Her said that if I waited there, the bus to Horning village would arrive. There was still some time before the bus arrived, so I went into Roy's store nearby. This is the name of the shop that appears in "BIG SIX". I wonder if they still sell mushroom soup and grilled meat pudding. This place has become a very large supermarket and is divided into several buildings.
After shopping for lunch, I returned to the bus stop. I asked an old lady at the bus stop how much the bus fare to Horning was. She lives in Horning village, and I talked as I walked from the bus stop to the B&B. She told me that she lives in the area and was going on a cruise that afternoon.
She walked with me, passed by the Swan Pavilion, and told me that this was where Gable Cottage was, and I parted ways. It is a white house with a thatched roof and walls. There is a 1693 on the exterior wall, which is probably the year it was built. It has a beautiful door.
It's very nerve-wracking to visit a stranger's house for the first time in a foreign country. But since I've come this far, I have to overcome it. After practicing saying "Nice to meet you" over and over again, I knocked on the front door. After a while, the door opened and a kind-looking woman came out. This was Aunt Maggie. I greeted Uncle Leon and shook his hand. Then I was shown through the study and the kitchen, up a small staircase, to a room on the second floor. It was a small room, but the walls were pure white and it felt very clean. There were two beds, one by the window. I could see the flower-filled garden through the curtains.
I was asked what breakfast menu I wanted, but I couldn't say I didn't care about anything, so I told them I would like this and that. There were lots of flowers in the garden and it was well-maintained. I was then given a rather large key to the entrance of the house. I could come and go freely, but to get to my room I had to go through the study and the kitchen. Being trusted made me feel even more nervous. The couple are often not there, so I feel a responsibility to remember to lock the door when I go out.
After leaving my luggage, I first walked around Horning village. Although it is near the river, there are rows of houses and there are very few places where I can get close to the river. Even when I found a path, most of the places had signs saying Private, No entry, so I couldn't get close to the Bür River. I finally got close to the ferry inn and was able to sit by the river and take a break while eating ice cream. More than 20 coots came to be fed. I have never seen so many coots in a group.
I walked east along the footpath past the church, passing by the school. After a little while, I found a path to the river. As I waited on the shore, large engine-powered boats passed by one after another, slowly passing by. A yacht with a sail also passed by. I thought it would be nice, and wondered if they would give me a ride, but when I waved back, they just looked back at me with a smile.
The riverbank on the other side was covered with grass and trees, and was left in its natural state. On this side, too, this path was the only place where I could reach the riverbank. Both banks were covered with reeds all the way. I sat here, sketching the boats passing by, and spent the whole time relaxing until the evening.
Now, I didn't buy anything to eat for dinner, so what should I do? It seems that there are no restaurants or other shops until I return to Wroxham.
