52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 4 - Imperial War Museum Duxford (24th January 2010)

This weeks walk was a walk around the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, Cambridgeshire. Wayne and the children last went there a few years ago but it was probably 30years or more since I last went.

The weather stayed dry and the sun even shined at one point but boy was it c-c-c-cold! There was lots to see though and most of it was indoors.

As an added challenge it was suggested on the 52walks Flickr group that everyone try and phtoograph a bench during their walk. There were lots of different benches and seats at Duxford and Steven came up with the idea of taking this series of photos.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 3 - Bedford (17th January 2010)

Today turned out to be a lovely sunny day. The snow has all gone and so we decided to venture into the County town of Bedford for an urban walk beside the River Ouse. Having parked our car we headed for the riverside. On our way we passed this statue. It was donated to the town last September by the Italian community, who have settled in Bedford over the years, in recognition of its welcoming spirit, which has enabled them to thrive. The statue represents the narrative of the immigrant and the forces of a changing world represented through a series of larger-than-life size figures.



We crossed 'Bedford Bridge' - I liked how the Park Inn Hotel reflected in the water.



A short walk further along the river we passed the 'Bedford Suspension Bridge'. The Suspension Bridge was constructed in 1888. The opening ceremony was performed by the Marquis of Tavistock





We took some wild bird food with us which Lara enjoyed feeding to the swans, cygnets and geese. The geese however seemed reluctant to eat it - I think they're probably more used to being feed bread.

Whilst feeding the birds, a couple of rowing boats went past with their coach riding long the bank shouting instructions to the crew.

Later we past the boathouse where a couple of boats not being used were outside.

To get back to the car we crossed the river on the 'Butterfly Bridge'. Completed in 1998, the pedestrian bridge was the winning entry in a British design competition that asked designers to design a new bridge, a memorable landmark representing the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. The bridge was officially named and opened by Prince Charles in June 1998.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 2 - Shillington (10th January 2010)

This afternoon we all wrapped up warm and went for a walk over the fields at Shillington. Its a walk we take quite often in the summer but seldom in the depths of winter and especially not when there is snow lying on the ground.

We walked down the footpath near the Church along the edge of a farmers field. Not a lot growing in it at the moment.

At the bottom of the footpath there is a bridge over the stream. We affectionately call the bridge 'Pooh Bridge' because we always play Pooh Sticks when we cross it. Today the stream was running quite fast but despite dropping sticks into the water on one side they never did come out the other side. I guess they were gobbled up by a troll ....... or maybe they just got stuck in some weed.

Some of the trees were covered in yellow lichen.

Walking over the fields we got a good view of the Church we had past earlier standing high on the hill.

And when we reached the Church again we got a great view of the area. The hills in the distance of this next photo are, I think, at Barton Hills National Nature Reserve.

This next photo taken from the Churchyard looking towards the allotments is almost identical to one I took last year at the same time of the year for the 365 project.

On our way home we passed some rather cold looking ponies in a field. They instantly ran to the fence when they saw us coming expecting us to feed them.

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 1 - Maulden Woods (3rd January 2010)

Today was my first walk of "52 Walks with my Camera". We all went for a walk in Maulden Woods. It was really chilly but when the sun was out it was so pretty.



In places where the sun hadn't been there was still a heavy frost on the ground.

Frozen puddles were a fascination to Steven and Lara.

In places it was muddy ........ VERY muddy!

But it was nice to get out for some fresh air.

Day 365 - December 31st (New Years Eve)

December 31st - the last day of the year and the last day of my 365 challenge. My final photo is a family portrait. Not a very good family portrait but as it's the last photo of the project I thought it appropriate to capture us all for prosperity. Happy New Year from us all.



Thank you to all my fellow 365ers for their kind comments on my photos during the year. I have loved looking at all their photos too and getting a glimpse of their lives.

365 is now over and I had thought I was going to take a rest from regular photo taking but Pam on UKScrappers has tempted me with a new project - "52 Walks with my Camera". The commitment is to photograph a walk a week during 2010. The word 'walk' can be interpreted loosely. A walk can be an expedition up a mountain, or a walk around your back garden. Hope to take our first walk this weekend (weather permitting) and will be posting my photos on this blog as well as on Flickr.

I'm hoping to scrapbook more in 2010. Since the demise of the MojoHolder blog my commitment to regularly scrapbook took a nose dive. I'm hoping that in 2010 I can get back into it. My layouts will be posted on my scrapping blog here.