Yesterday’s early morning walk started at the end of Fen Road, a little way downstream of Baits Bite Lock. Ice covered the channel feeding into the Cam and two cormorants flew over in salute. At the lock mallard, mute swans and black-headed gulls dabbled and scavenged for food. A sentinel heron took flight on lazily flapping wings.
Crossing the river at the Lock the path followed the river upstream. Joggers padded past with the cheery ‘Good mornings’ of the shared acknowledgment of how good and mad it was to be out on such a bitter day. Ahead the depressing prospect of the A14 embankment; to the left the hopeful sun rising and bringing a sparkle to the frost.
Leaving the A14 the path struck north across a field frozen into firm walking; then through crunchy, rimed kale and a left turn to follow a hedgerow back to the river. Below the Lock a plume from a narrow boat suffused the air with the welcoming aroma of wood smoke.
Photos: Horningsea, Cambs, January 2017