Winter walk around the lanes

One of those frosty mornings when it is obligatory to venture out to explore. I've not had much time for walking recently, but the lanes and my camera were calling.

The air was thin and clean. Although it was late in the morning, the frost was still heavy.

 Crossing the clear river Cound, slow moving and icy.

Long shadows cast by the bright winter sun as we passed an old Regency farmhouse.

Then turning back up little 'Sandy Lane', a deep and old track still frequented by large tractors and lorries. But not today.

 Swans were quietly grazing in the thawing fields.

Before dropping down to the old converted  mill, and heading back to our own little cottage, nearby, which once upon a time might well have housed a labourer who worked at the mill when it was in use, over a hundred years ago.