Watatunga Wildlife Reserve....

.... It's the last Bank Holiday before Christmas and  I was taken to this wonderful wildlife reserve by friends Jeff, Margaret & Wendy. Watatunga is situated near the village of Watlington, Norfolk.

You use electric buggies to drive yourself, in a convoy behind a tour guide buggy, around the 170 acres of woods grassland and lakes

Many types of deer, antelope and buffalo are seen.

I am pictured with Edward Pope, founder and owner of Watatunga.

https://watatunga.co.uk/

    

All Saints' Church Catfield....

.... I was taken to All Saints' Church Catfield by friend Bob Mitchell, editor of the Village Sign Times, the magazine of The Village Sign Society.

www.villagesignsociety.org.uk

It was lovely viewing the rood screen, kneeling cushions and sundial.

Sutton & Signs....

.... After visiting All Saints' Church Bob Mitchell and I ventured on to Sutton, viewing the windmill and quaint thatched cottages.

It was then a tour of the village signs of Sutton, Brunstead, Sea Palling and Lessingham.

Thanks to Bob for a very interesting and informative excursion.

    

Attleborough v MADRA....

.... I caught two buses to get to The Rec. on Station Road in Attleborough to see a ladies 7 a side football match.

Attleborough v MADRA (Mundesley And District Recreation Assocation), who are from Knapton. Attleborough won 2-0.

I was accompanied by Nick King, who sponsors Attleborough Ladies shirts. Nick was kind enough to drive me home, arriving at 10pm.

USAAF Station 145....

.... I enjoyed a visit to the USAAF Rackheath wartime airbase. Driven there by my friend Doug.

We were met by Ivan Barnard, leader of the group of volunteers who are clearing and working on this huge project.

Built in 1943 for the United States Army Air Force. It was designated Station 145 and was a major base for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) 8th Air Force. It was occupied by the 467th Bombardment Group, affectionately known as the "Rackheath Aggies," who flew B-24 Liberator heavy bombers.

In 1945 Station 145 was vacated and the Royal Air Force operated there until 1954.

Further information -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Rackheath

Salhouse Railway Station....

.... Very close to USAAF Rackheath is Salhouse Railway Station.

It played a significant wartime role. Military staff, ground crew, and airmen regularly used Salhouse Railway Station to travel to and from the base, while the station's goods sidings helped handle heavy equipment and supplies for the war effort.

The modern photograph shows the rear of the 14:51 Norwich to Sheringham service.

Trailing Vine....

.... Helping my Godson, Alan, cut this trailing vine on his house. Despite heavy rain showers we have cleared a good section.

Refreshed Front Door....

.... From green to a nice shade of blue.

Lowestoft Cricket Club ....

.... On Saturday 8th August 2026 my friend, Len Soards, took me to Lowestoft Cricket Club at The Denes Oval Sports Ground.

The match was between Lowestoft Town 2nd xi versus Dereham Town 2nd xi. Lowestoft won by 167 runs.

Garden Fence Treated....

.... To a fresh coat of protection.

Library Re-opened....

.... My first visit to the Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library after its 3 month, £1.3m refurbishment.

I was very much impressed with the new layout, especially dozens more very comfortable seats.

Plumstead Road Library Talk....

.... My talk at Plumstead Road Library was very well received.

I've been invited back in October to give a talk on a different subject.

Thank you to all involved.

The following speaker bio is very complimentary & I thank the writer for the composition:-

"The Plumstead Road Library Friends have a real treat in store for you this month. They are delighted to announce that globetrotter Malcolm Metcalf, fresh from receiving his British Empire Medal from the King for his services to fundraising, will be talking to us all about his ‘90 Things to do Before I’m 90’ fundraising challenge for Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity. This man really has been there and done it. And even now at 92, he’s still doing more challenges to raise money! To hear Malcolm tell us all about his adventures, and how you can take on challenges at any age, the place to be at 2pm on Wednesday, 29th of July, is the Plumstead Road Library.

Adventure and new horizons have always been in Malcolm’s blood. Back in 1939, he left his family home as an evacuee during WW2.  Then at 19 years of age, he became bed-bound with tuberculosis of the spine for more than a year. Every day, Malcolm would read a world travel book he had been gifted by his brother. He vowed that when he got better, there was no holding him back and he would travel the world. And that’s exactly what he did! So much so that he now goes by the nickname of ‘The Michael Palin of Gorleston’. 

From travelling to Australia with only £250, to going the length and breadth of England in only one month with just his bus pass when he was 82, Malcolm is always up for a challenge. One of his most recent challenges was set by Priscilla Bacon Hospice to do 90 things before his 90th birthday.  Malcolm revealed, “I gave it some thought. My godson said I’d never do it, and that was all I needed. I needed someone to say I couldn’t do it! There was no stopping me!” His challenges included flying a plane, editing the EDP, taking a ride in a Formula 1 car, and many, many more! 

To find out how he got on with his fundraising mission, and to learn about his latest challenge: 93 things to do before he’s 93, the only place to be at 2pm on Wednesday, 29th of July, is the Plumstead Road Library. You only have to spend a few seconds with Malcolm to realise that he is one of a kind. He is a natural storyteller with such a big heart. Nobody tells Malcolm that he can’t do something! He really is an inspiration, and we can’t wait to learn more about his adventurous life. 

No need to book. Just turn up and enjoy. There's even a bus stop directly outside the library. And that's exactly how Malcolm will be arriving... with his much-used bus pass!

See you there." 😍

    

Summer Holiday....

....  On Wednesday 22/07/26 my Godson, Alan Collier, drove me the 200 mile journey to my wartime village of Dry Sandford near Abingdon, Oxon.

A nostalgic visit for me, where I was an evacuee 86 years ago. On the way we stopped at the lovely village of Spaldwick in Cambridgeshire for lunch.

In Dry Sandford I had a long talk with some good friends and visited the village church, where I sang in the choir in 1945.

On a visit to Abingdon we climbed the 100 steps to the top of the Museum. We then took a bus to Oxford visiting the lovely old covered market, several Colleges and watched several fishermen catching fish in the river.

We then spent two days visiting two of my nieces in Cheltenham.

From there we enjoyed a bus trip to Ross on Wye via Gloucester.

On our return journey home, on Sunday 26/07/26, we enjoyed a break in the journey at Bassingbourn Cum Kneesworth.

Praises Given....

.... What a wonderful email received from Linsy Harvey, the Volunteer Co-ordinator at the Priscilla Bacon Charity.

From: Linsy Harvey

Subject: A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Incredible Events Team

Date: 21 July 2026 at 11:58:03 BST

To: Malcolm Metcalf

Dear Team,

As we come to the end of an incredibly busy few months, I wanted to say a huge thank you to every one of you for your hard work, enthusiasm and dedication in supporting our events.......

Linsy then goes on to thank many individuals for their efforts including.......

....... A very special thank you also goes to Malcolm Metcalf B.E.M, who is currently halfway through his incredible 93 Challenges for his 93rd Year. Your enthusiasm and commitment are an inspiration to us all. Whether you're joining in with Knit and Natter, line dancing, volunteering in our 10 retail shops, taking on fundraising challenges, or finding yet another way to support the charity, you do it all with energy, humour and a smile. You truly embody the spirit of volunteering, and we're so grateful for everything you continue to do for PBHC.

Charity Cake Stall....

.... The Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity stall was set up in St. Stephens Square, Norwich.

The Stall had a wonderful selection of delicious sausage rolls and dozens of cakes, many that had been made by volunteers.

Clive Evans BEM the charity Volunteer Ambassador said, “It was especially lovely to welcome Malcolm Metcalf BEM. Who set up camp on one of the tables and kept our guests so well entertained.“