Tag Archives: Norfolk Broads

Changes in taste and style for the U.K tourist

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Look for and buying holidays is great fun, planning that all important getaway creates a lot of anticipation and excitement.

In the current economic situation most people need to maximise the value for money in every pound spent. While mount “Staycation” in Iceland  (I cant find it’s name anywhere, so I will call it Mount “Staycation” since travel abroad is so difficult currently) pours ash clouds over Europe.

It looks like many people are having to reconsider overseas trips, while I might launch into the Myriad reasons for coming to the Norfolk Broads this year. I find myself checked by the weather which seems intent on squeezing every last possible drop of winter this year.

Wait a moment though as we cruise along the Broads from Norfolk to Suffolk with our sliding roof closed for cover. We can still have fun in a very English sense reminiscing about childhood trips to wind swept rain soaked sea sides.  The weather may not have changed much but the  choice of attractions on offer has. In Norfolk stop by the Eco Tech Centre get up close to the giant wind turbine.  Visit Norwich now and witness the mechanical fire breathing dragon in Eaton Park.

Or find one of the many great pubs along the Norfolk Broads and enjoy food and drink in front of an open fire.

Of course what comes next is a three week heat wave with temperatures above 30 and blue skies.

In which case my next blog will be about appropriate levels of sun block whilst out on the water.

Either way speak to someone with years of local knowledge for Boat hire on the Norfolk Broads

Learn about the wild life of the Norfolk Broads

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Train to be a Broads nature detective.

Take a look at this free opportunity to learn about the Norfolk Broads wildlife and waterways

Sunday 16 May 10am Whitlingham Country Park

Would you like to learn how your local pond or lake can contribute to national research? Nature enthusiasts are being invited to a special water survey training day on Sunday 16th May 10am to show them how to dip into valuable data.

The free event at Whitlingham Country Park, on the edge of Norwich, is being organised by the Broads Authority and the University of Hertfordshire. It aims to encourage nature lovers to take part in a national fresh water survey in the name of science.

. The OPAL Water Survey has been developed by scientists from UCL in partnership with Pond Conservation and Buglife – The Invertebrate Conservation Trust. It is funded by OPAL’s grant from the Big Lottery Fund of £11.75m. The project hopes to create a legacy of knowledge and interest in aquatic monitoring which will feed into new campaigns being developed by Pond Conservation in 2011.

2. Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) is a nation-wide partnership initiative that will inspire communities to discover, enjoy and protect their local environments. It aims to create a new generation of nature-lovers by stimulating interest through local and national projects which are accessible, fun and relevant to anyone who wants to take part. Website: www.OPALexplorenature.org

3. The Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme was launched in November 2005 to help communities enjoy and improve their local environments. The programme funds a range of activities from local food schemes and farmers markets, to education projects teaching people about the environment. Imperial College London (the leading OPAL partner) was awarded a £11,760,783 Changing Spaces grant in August 2007

The OPAL (Open Air Laboratories) Water Survey uses commonly found animals to indicate the health of the habitat. The event on the country park’s two broads will teach people how to check whether their local pond or lake is in good condition, which will help scientists protect freshwater wildlife.

Helene Coleman, OPAL Community Scientist at the University of Hertfordshire, said, “We need to investigate the region’s ponds and lakes to find out which ones could be improved and which should be protected. Ponds and lakes are really important habitats but many of them are affected by pollution. The survey is a really fun and exciting project to get involved with, and it gives local people the chance to contribute to a national scientific study.”

Broads nature detectives needed to dip into ponds and lakes

The survey can be carried out at any lake and pond in England. Anyone can take part with an identification guide and workbook that can be downloaded free from the OPAL website www.OPALexplorenature.org.

The website will display uploaded results on an interactive map, along with those of other participants from around the country.

The OPAL Water Survey is part of the national OPAL project which is represented in the East of England by the University of Hertfordshire. It aims to create a new generation of nature lovers by inspiring communities to discover, enjoy and protect their local environment.

Booking is essential for Sunday’s event. To book contact Dan Hoare, Broads Authority, on 01603 756043, before midday on Friday 14th May, as places are limited.