The BBC has sent me from Hackney to Norfolk to do my BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme (JTS) placement and I'm enjoying exploring this new (to me) countryside of meadows and broads - but it doesn't always go to plan.
Last weekend I headed for Pensthorpe, the wildlife park where they film BBC Springwatch.
It was an hour from my base in Norwich but I had a bus timetable and felt confident.
Pensthorpe was amazing - ducklings, blue dragonflies darting around and a wildflower meadow. But it was a long, hot afternoon and after three hours walking I felt ready for home. So I headed for the nearby bus stop: a pole on a grass verge in the middle of what felt like nowhere.
Fifteen minutes later - still no bus. Whipping out my mobile I called the bus company. "Er, no," said the man, "the last bus was an hour ago. You must have the wrong timetable..."
By this time Pensthorpe was deserted. All I could see were miles of empty fields, some now sinister-looking big ducks and a long road with unfriendly cars whizzing past.
Then, like a mirage, I saw a BBC logo appearing through the late afternoon sun. By chance, the Radio Norfolk stage had been at Pensthorpe earlier in the day and Ian, the driver, had popped back to close up. Like a woman possessed, I sprinted up to him and said, "Hello, I'm a JTS trainee - please help!"
Luckily he recognised me, squeezed me in between all the gear and took me back to Norwich. It just shows that it's worth saying hello to everyone while you're on JTS, as you never know when you might need a hand.
It wasn't exactly what I'd planned for the day but I got to ride in the radio car, which was excellent. I don't think we have a training module for that...
Elizabeth Dawson is based in Norwich for a year on the BBC's Journalism Trainee Scheme. She has just finished her online placement and is moving to radio.
