The walk took us up to Mansbridge Lock (via a sneaky detour to the White Swan Carver for lunch) where the water was completely frozen and stones could be skipped along the river with satisfying ease.
We then continued on to the Mansbridge Reservoir, which was only mostly frozen - where this spade came from I have no idea, but it's not often you see one sitting in the middle of the lake!
The local birds seemed unfazed by the ice, happily hopping in and out, and their feathers added a bit of variety to the smooth icy surface.
After visiting the reservoir we looped back though a residential area and emerged by St Mary's Church in Swaythling. The church is one of Southampton's two remaining Medieval Church, parts of which date back to the 12th Century. I must have driven past this church hundreds of times, but this is the first time I have have stopped to visit it, and it's rather lovely.
Statistics:
Total Walk Time: 1 hour
Walking Conditions: Easy and Flat, muddy in places.
Cost: £Nil. Free parking readily available.
Walking Conditions: Easy and Flat, muddy in places.
Cost: £Nil. Free parking readily available.
Useful Links:
Walk Leaflet from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust:
http://www.winningwaysforwildlife.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/Living%20Landscapes/Itchen/Bargemans_Walk.pdfSt Mary's Church
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary's_Church,_South_Stoneham
The White Swan Carvery
http://www.greatbritishcarvery.co.uk/our-pubs/white-swan
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