I’ve had a very enjoyable few days visiting some of my less visited locations, benefiting from the spring weather. The photos are from Wimpole Estate to start where the parterre is bare. A notice implied it was being ‘attacked’ with a herbicide, indicating to me that there has been problem. Still the view to the folly meant it was not a completely wasted trip. Next up are some of the riverside cottages viewed from RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes across the Great Ouse. I was there on the way to Swavesey to enjoy the local camera club’s annual exhibition. I have not knowingly stopped in Swavesey before but liked the Market Square. Those are my friends Paul and Ange outside the Memorial Hall where the photos were on display, many of which were excellent. The old windmill is also at Swavesey. A trip out to Wicken Fen is always enjoyable and there is plenty of water around. It is not easy to get away from the war as a F-35 flew over while at Wicken, I assume heading for RAF Lakenheath. It was in the bottom of the cloud base with the moisture resulting in nice little vortex trails of the wings. A nature reserve which I have not visited for many years is at Godmanchester so decided on a walk there yesterday morning. As with many such places around here these reserves are the results of repurposing of quarries. There were quite a few teal on the main lake with a couple close enough for a photo. From there it is a short drive to the National Trust Houghton Mill. Although the mill is closed until Easter and the car park is limited due to the state of the ground I always enjoy the view of the mill and action on the river. There was a curious cygnet who followed me around, I guess hoping for food, only to be disappointed. I’ll finish with a few signs of spring around these places, including at the Lodge this morning. The dunnock was singing to the world at Fen Drayton Lakes  and the mosq