Shopping's Reward

I frequently visit our local supermarket with my 2 daughters. Today was one such occasion and as a reward for being good shoppers, we walked along the River Stour in Manningtree (or ran at top speed depending on the preferred approach). Stour is generally pronounced as in pour on the Essex side of the river, whereas its pronounced as in sour on the Suffolk side of the river. Either way, it makes for a fine walk on a sunny spring morning.

Today we were lucky enough to see a number of solitary, bumble and honey bees, together with a butterfly and a rather large wasp. I think the butterfly was a painted lady. On the river were a good number of mute swans, variously swimming and flying around in a 'its springtime therefore I'd better get confrontational' sort of way. Fortunately they didn't bother us.

Once the children had exhausted themselves running around at top speed, they set about collecting stones, which we of course had to bring home with us - well Daddy had to bring home. The collection is now abandoned in the wheelbarrow, in the back garden.

Anyhow, I hope you like the photomontage from our walk - do click on the magnifying glass symbol at the bottom of the picture to see a larger version.