BBC Countryfile guest’s warning to viewers over ‘heavenly’ activity

Countryfile viewers got a look at an unusual activity

The latest edition of long-running BBC series Countryfile featured a guest who shared a warning over an unusual activity.

This Sunday’s episode (September 13) saw the show take a look at ‘an old estate in a modern world’. Its description from the TV listings explained that Joe Crowley, Datshiane Navanayagam and Adam Henson all head to Westacre in Norfolk to discover how a historic rural estate is adapting to survive in the modern world.

At a financially critical time of year, Datshiane looked at its valuable yet vulnerable crop of blueberries. They also met the owner to find out how traditional estates are diversifying and evolving to secure their future.

Joe joined the conservation team working to restore an important area of wet woodland, boosting biodiversity and creating habitats for wildlife. Their final spot was a tenant brewery crafting local ale before sampling some themselves in the village pub.

Meanwhile, Adam met the farm manager, who is looking at ways to help run the land in a more cost-effective way through collaboration between livestock and arable farming. However, one special guest took part in something very different.

The show also introduced Nicola Crockford who enjoys a unique pastime on the estate – river snorkelling. She described it as thrilling and said she gives the owners a different perspective of their land.

Footage showed Nicola in action as she drifted down the river with her camera. She said one of the things that owners are usually interested in finding out about, is how much trout are in their waters.

She said: “I love a mission. I love that the thing that gives me personal pleasure can also be useful and give other people pleasure. I feel so lucky, I feel so blessed to be given this treat in life.”

While in the river, she tries to film as much fish, food and everything she can find to make a record of what is below the surface. Later, as she’s in the water she told the camera: “Worries? What worries? There’s no worries, there’s no aches, no pains, this is heaven.”

Nicola recommended the activity to viewers but it came with a warning. She urged: “Obviously, don’t just get in the river without checking out on the website for health and safety. Getting landowners’ permission as necessary and that way you can have a wonderful snorkel.”

Over the years of snorkelling, Nicola claimed she has found other ‘extraordinary’ artefacts. These include skulls, a World War Two bomb and a horde of jewels. She said you never know what you could find.

According to the British Sub-Aqua Club website, river snorkelling is one of the “UK’s hidden gems”. They state that it allows divers to explore a a completely different environment from the coast on a rewarding, relaxed adventure.

Countryfile continues next Sundays at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.