Stony Stratford Sunday Walk

Lazy Sunday mornings, relaxing at home, coffee on, slobbing out, still in your pyjamas, waiting for the Sunday roast to be cooked. Smells of home baking, maybe even wading through the weekends papers.

Nah not our style really. We were up and out, down for an early breakfast at the local pub, before a stroll along the Great Ouse and into Stony Stratford.

After filling up with a hearty breakfast at Wolverton House, we were soon out walking down towards the Old Mill buildings, the frosty morning spreading out before us, fields of crystals clung to the greeny yellow grasses, thrushes flitted about the paths and Robins sang from high atop trees and posts.

Walking to the Old Mill

Walking along the river, the freezing temperature of winter was more obvious. The stunning blue skies reflected back from both the fast flowing waters, and, in shallower, calmer areas, thick sheets of ice; that had formed over night.

Looking out across the river, thick, wool covered sheep could be seen in the crispy grass; and flower like tendrils were sprouting in frost from the weeds growing beside the waters edge. The kids decided they had found the perfect spot to break the ice, using collected sticks. They had fun, while I watched from a distance, leaving Zoe to fend off splashes of icy water and stop the kids slipping up to their ankles in the freezing flow.

Breaking Sticks

Looking at the river ice

The Great Ouse as it winds past Stony Stratford.

Graffiti

Heading under the A5, through the forest of concrete supports, the river constrained like a canal, the striking local graffiti is allowed to shine through. I can’t stand mindless vandalism, and tagging is up there with the worst, but a well thought out, and designed piece of graffiti can brighten an area. I’ve photographed these before, but not well; so today I tried a few, one of which, while a complete move away from my usual style, I really like. It even contains a bugbear of mine in spot colouring.

Pink Chickens

Urban Art and Bridges

The A5 Crossing the Ouse Valley

Stony Stratford

The river flows on passed Stony Stratford and on through Passenham to its source in Syresham, Northants. Our walk, turned off at the bridge connecting Old Stratford to Stony Stratford; we headed back through the old market town of Stony Stratford and home.