Spate

My cold is persisting but as the forecast looked quite good and I was ready for some fresh air, I thought I'd go down to the river. As the crow flies it is about ¾ mile from us. However, to access the pleasant woodland path, unless you are a crow, you need a bridge. There are very few bridges across the upper part of the river and the nearest to us, a footbridge from which this shot is taken, is slightly further. Under normal conditions, you are almost guaranteed sightings of dippers and grey wagtails along this stretch, but all rocks and islands are currently submerged. I did see a nuthatch and a treecreeper in the woods to add to my 2014 bird tally, and I christened by bus pass, using it to haul me back up the hill.