Again no pies this week – the Pie Master had done his back in, preventing pie procurement. Fortunately something slipped back into place on Saturday afternoon, enabling the Pie Master to march & munch this w/e. A dozen of us headed to Swanton Morley.
Parking in the church car park, we headed east to the river Wensum, but before the party had done half a mile,
Giant Puffballs were spotted and had to be harvested and packed in bags.
After passing Castle Farm, we continued the very
picturesque River Walk, following the Wensum for over a mile. The group came to a standstill as a large brown dragonfly landed on a gate with a wasp.
It then proceeded to chew its head off and then devoured the rest of the wasp. The Pie Master was at the rear of the group and was not aware of the activity – so no pictures or video for the web site. Leaving the Wensum, we headed south, along by Penny Spot Beck awhile, then leaving it on our right as we made our way uphill to our lunch spot, in the shade of some trees. From here we headed along tracks to Woodgate and then following footpaths to Swanton Morley and
Darby’s Free House. This welcoming pub with a good selection of beers provided us with pints of “Reedcutter” from the
Humpty Dumpty Brewery, delicious “Afternoon Delight” from the local
Beeston Brewery and “Wherry”.
In addition two friendly dogs in the bar: Dylan and Boots – of course they wanted a
fuss.... The beers slowly supped as we mardled in the garden, we then returned to
All Saints, where the Walk Master spotted half a
scratch dial high on a buttress. The church being locked, it was out with the tea and this week’s starter course: Adriatic Anchovy fillets and Lemon & coriander Houmous accompanied by nairn’s oatcake and Rick Stein Savoury Oat Biscuits. The Pie Master had brought a lump of Spanish cheese, believed to be a sheep’s milk cheese from the Basque county, in lieu of a pie. This was good and soon got devoured, almost before it could be photographed for the record. Shortbread completed the courses.
On the way home, some of us headed to
St. Mary’s church, Bylaugh, seen on the walk on the other side of the Wensum. It too was locked and although having a Norman tower, the church was more recent and so no scratch dials.
Parking in the church car park, we headed east to the river Wensum, but before the party had done half a mile, Giant Puffballs were spotted and had to be harvested and packed in bags.
After passing Castle Farm, we continued the very picturesque River Walk, following the Wensum for over a mile. The group came to a standstill as a large brown dragonfly landed on a gate with a wasp. 
It then proceeded to chew its head off and then devoured the rest of the wasp. The Pie Master was at the rear of the group and was not aware of the activity – so no pictures or video for the web site. Leaving the Wensum, we headed south, along by Penny Spot Beck awhile, then leaving it on our right as we made our way uphill to our lunch spot, in the shade of some trees. From here we headed along tracks to Woodgate and then following footpaths to Swanton Morley and 
Darby’s Free House. This welcoming pub with a good selection of beers provided us with pints of “Reedcutter” from the Humpty Dumpty Brewery, delicious “Afternoon Delight” from the local Beeston Brewery and “Wherry”.
In addition two friendly dogs in the bar: Dylan and Boots – of course they wanted a fuss.... The beers slowly supped as we mardled in the garden, we then returned to All Saints, where the Walk Master spotted half a scratch dial high on a buttress. The church being locked, it was out with the tea and this week’s starter course: Adriatic Anchovy fillets and Lemon & coriander Houmous accompanied by nairn’s oatcake and Rick Stein Savoury Oat Biscuits. The Pie Master had brought a lump of Spanish cheese, believed to be a sheep’s milk cheese from the Basque county, in lieu of a pie. This was good and soon got devoured, almost before it could be photographed for the record. Shortbread completed the courses.
On the way home, some of us headed to St. Mary’s church, Bylaugh, seen on the walk on the other side of the Wensum. It too was locked and although having a Norman tower, the church was more recent and so no scratch dials.
