This is where the river Great Ouse meets the outflow from the white water rapids course (off right of sketch), at the edge of Bedford's Priory Country Park. Cardington Lock is just out of sight, round the bend. It was a warm morning. I sat among the thistles, nettles and cow parsley, watching the paddle boarders and canoeists pass by - and even one narrow boat. There were swans and geese too, on the river and overhead; and behind me were Easter walkers with their dogs. I wanted to paint the river again, and chose this glassy bend with some disturbance entering from the right. The wind ruffled the surface which carried swirls of dust and flotsam downstream. |