“Day and night the ferry-bell was jangling and the winch clanking as the actors of country life passed before us in endless panorama. Milk carts, carriers’ carts, waggons laden with grain, flocks of sheep attended by shepherds and barking collies, stylish ladies in smart Norfolk carts- the women I noticed were always more exacting than the men and herds of cattle. Those animals nearest the water stood with forelegs firmly planted and backs raised, bellowing with fright as they stared into the swift river as the ferry crossed over. After them passed an old granny with a child in perambulator, a shy-looking young couple with much luggage, a portly farmer going to catch a train, and lastly, the lord of the manor himself passed over.” ⎯On English Lagoons, Chapter XII, pp. 39-40
At Buckenham Ferry on the River Yare, a farmer waits to cross with his horse-drawn cart carrying large milk containers in the early morning mist. The ferry bell can be seen at left.