Not quite Monet

Went for a walk in Newhall Valley park this SUNNY morning, looking for something to make a crown of thorns for the Prayer Room (used a briar rose in the end).

This Park was opened in 2005 - the first urban park to be created in England in more than 10 years. It is nearly 200 acres, mostly alongside the canalised stream called Plantsbrook (formerly Ebrook) - which also now gives its name to my daughter's school (formerly Riland Bedford).

There has obviously been a LOT of rain lately, and huge chunks of the bank had broken away and were making islands in the middle of the stream - we saw a wagtail working its way along one.

We also saw a heron eating a frog - only about 100 yards from the main road in a marsh they've created since we were last in the UK.

Lent challenge - make a list of what you are grateful for: sunshine, Newhall Valley so near my house, my husband who walks with me, a warm house, a camera, Blipfoto, all of you!