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, he 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 you 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 Loxham.
