The Knife Angel sculpture, made from over 100,000 seized blades, was specifically created to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour whilst solidifying our critical need for social change. Not only does the Angel act as a catalyst for turning the tide on violent and aggressive behaviour, but it is also acts as a beautiful memorial designed to celebrate those lives who have been lost through these violent and thoughtless actions (taken from the website for the Knife Angel).
In January 2022, the Knife Angel came to Northampton, so I popped along to take a look.
I think this is a good way to bring people’s attention to some of the violent crimes that happen on our streets. What do you think?
Last year, I took another walk around Sywell Country Park, but this time it was all about nature and finding the birds, insects, and flowers.
It was June, so it was much greener than before and I could feel the warmth from the sun on my skin.
The first feathered friend I saw was this Coot with its white frontal shield. Fun fact: Back in the day, the featherless shield gave rise to the expression “as bald as a coot.” (Wikipedia)Â
This one has found something to balance on.
Whilst trying to photograph this delicate dragonfly, I got the plant in focus instead – I think it’s a Stinging Nettle.
There are lots of flowers dotted around – like this daisy.
Although Hogweed is pretty to look at, it’s best not to touch it as it can cause blisters and scars in humans! (Wikipedia)
This bee doesn’t seem bothered.
Another beauty, but also very toxic, is the lovely Foxglove. Fun fact: In the past, myths had it that foxes wore the flowers on their paws to silence their movements as they hunted – hence ‘fox’s glove!’ (Wikipedia)
It’s quite hard to take photographs of things that move, but this Long-tailed tit sat at the top of this tree just long enough.
As did these two-silhouetted birds.
A family of swans swam passed – the mother looking back to check the cute little babies are all there.
Then, they head off towards the reeds and out of the open – there were buzzards circling overhead!
These coots chicks were sticking close to each other – the lake must seem like an ocean to them!
This bird flew away at the exact moment I took the photo!
But, this dunnock and duck looked straight at the camera lens!
It’s always a pleasure seeing nature at her finest!
A lovely place to walk around is Sywell Country Park near Northampton. The reservoir was built to supply water to the surrounding villages, but now it’s a country park with a gravel walkway around the lake, meadows, forest-like areas with different types of trees, and a variety of habitats for the wildlife that live there. (Woodland Trust).
As you leave the car park, there are lovely green areas surrounded by tall trees, perfect for a picnic or just to sit peacefully and enjoy the sounds of nature.
You have to walk up a flight of steep steps to the reservoir, but the effort is worth it as the views are fabulous.
I always walk to the right and the first thing I see are these two geese psyching themselves up to get into the chilly water.
Next, I pass a lovely red-bricked water tower which is always worthy of a photo (or two!).
This swan looks so elegant with its curved neck – an aquatic ballet dancer maybe?
There are so many different types of plants and these dried grasses will be shelter to small birds and mammals.
The path leads you through sometimes wooded areas and sometimes more open areas as you walk around the lake.
There are many types of birds to see and this swan was tending to her nest among the reeds.
This robin stopped long enough in the tree, so I could take a photo.
And this Great tit was busy feeding.
The path follows the undulated features of the countryside, so you get good views all around the lake.
And there are lots of trees and, as this was early in the year, they are still bereft of leaves.
Flowers here and there give a welcome splash of colour.
It’s good to see all kinds of wildlife getting a helping hand as these little bat houses prove.
And, it’s also a pleasure watching wildlife from these hides which are placed in certain locations.
On the walk home, I couldn’t help but stop and say hello to these fellows. (Don’t you find cows to be very curious – they always migrate towards you!)
This cute pony getting in on the action.
And I was happy to see that with Spring comes new beginnings.
The town centre of Northampton is small when you compare it to the likes of Birmingham and London, but it’s surprisingly full of things to see.
I live close to the centre, so I always walk there and, with camera in hand, I find some things that I have never noticed, others that bring back memories and some things that just make me smile.
I walk passed the Garibaldi Hotel all the time. I have never been inside, but something compels me to take a photo – I think it’s the green-painted wall with the sign on one side – but then I notice the date at the top of the other side. It was erected in 1897 – making it one of Northampton’s oldest pubs and it’s still open!
On the corner of Sheep Street and Church Lane, I manage to get a photo without any people and then I notice further up the street a club called Passion (the small white building on the right hand side) where I partied with friends on a mad Saturday night out many moons ago.
I’ve walked through the graveyard of St Giles Church before, but never stopped to just be in the present moment before.
I stand for a while watching this squirrel scamper about – it brings a smile to my face.
I also notice the trees full of beautiful pink cherry blossom.
I’ve spent many nights / afternoons with friends and family at the Mail Coach in the past. It’s one of the places I still go to. I remember meeting everyone there before I jetted off back to Thailand in 2014, they all came to say farewell, it was such a great night. This photo is again devoid of people which surprises me as I took this photo at 4.00pm on a Friday afternoon – I’m not complaining though!
I was on a mission to see things I’ve never seen before and I spot the ‘Rosa Concordia Signum’ which means ‘the Rose, Emblem of Harmony’ After a little research, I realise this is Northamptonshire’s motto.
There are two little alleyways in the town centre. One is Frances Jetty, leading from Bridge Street to St Peter’s Way. All the times my friends and I used this alley to get our taxis home after a night out on Bridge Street, I never knew its name. It really is amazing how much we miss sometimes!
The second alley is called Jeyes Jetty and this one used to run between the Drapery and College Street. Again, I was interested to find out that this alley is linked to the invention of Jeyes Fluid and used to be called ‘Screaming Alley’ due to painful dental extractions that happened there.
I’ll let you read the notice on the gate.
The New Testament Church of God is housed in this Greek-style building, complete with columns and arched windows and these carved stone faces and decorative capitals on another building up the road. Both things I hadn’t taken much notice of before.
I can’t wait to see what else I can find, what else evokes memories and what else will make me smile. 🙂
Last week, I published ‘Another Day, Another Walk’ and this week I am publishing ‘Something old, something new.’ The same walk a few months apart and this time I walked further and took the long way back home.
On my walks around the town, I may take the same or similar photos, but I always manage to find something new to capture.
And, after many years away from my hometown, I really enjoy exploring it!
Trees and water, buildings and wall art, birds and animals, graffiti, bridges and flowers are all things that I am drawn too and can’t myself taking a few photographs!
One of my favourite walks around Northampton takes just over an hour and circles around the town centre and along the River Nene.
Leaving home, I walk south along the A508 until I get to St Peters Way. I leave the busy road and walk along the footpath that leads me towards the River Nene with Carlsberg to my left.
I carry on walking and bear left, so the river is on my right-hand side.
Across South Bridge, I see the entrance to Northampton Waterside with the former Latimer and Crick building next to it. The building has been converted into flats since then.
I continue to walk along the tow path and see the narrow boats moored up along the river.
At the end of the tow-path, I walk along the path into Beckett’s Park..
Under University Bridge..
And follow the path around Midsummer Meadow.
Until I see The Ark – a floating cafe serving coffee on the river.
Here, the path goes to the left and to the right. If you bear right and cross the river, you can keep following the path if you fancy a longer walk, but today I cross just to take a couple of photos from the other side of the river.
I walk back over the river and see an old Victorian chimney.
Then, I am back on a busy road again and walking away from nature, up passed the hospital until I get to the Wellingborough Road with The Spread Eagle pub on the corner of Market Street.
I cut through the houses to Kettering Road, up Clare Street, and passed The Swan and Helmet.
I’m always happy when I go out and about with my camera and even happier I’ve made the effort to get out into the fresh air – there is nothing better! Peace and Love 🙂
I love going out and about with my camera – I really need to do it more often! These photos are from one of my favourite places to walk around – Delapre Park.
Can you tell I like trees? And reflections. And birds! LOL 😉
Whilton Locks, near Daventry in Northamptonshire, is the name of a seven-lock system which forms part of the Grand Union Canal – the main waterway from London to the Midlands (Wikipedia).
Back in 2013, I took a trip out there to take a gentle stroll along the canal. If you get the day and time right, you won’t see another soul which means you can really appreciate the sounds and peacefulness of the countryside for yourself!
A boat passed me by, I watched as it created gentle waves in the water. Once it had gone, the water was so still, creating mirror-like reflections of the trees.
It’s a lovely place to go for a walk and it’s high time I went back!
Delapre Abbey is a lovely place to visit if you are ever in Northampton. With a history spanning over 900 years, the abbey itself sure has an interesting story or two to tell. If you want to read more about this, go to Delapre Abbey‘s official website.
The surrounding park is a popular place for walkers and it’s great for photographers any time of the year. You’ll find yourself walking through woods, around a lake and across grasslands as you make your way around the abbey.
Let’s start exploring!
Walk through the woods leading towards the lake.
There are seats around the lake to take in the views.
Follow the path to the left of the lake. It doesn’t matter which way you go around the lake, but I always go left.
This fellow wanted to have his photograph taken and I couldn’t say no!
Glimpses of the lake through the trees never fail to make me feel excited about seeing more.
The overhanging trees make for some lovely reflections in the shimmering water.
The trees stand majestically in the woodland.
The lake is beautiful – very still, the water gently lapping onto the shore. It’s very peaceful.
Unless the water is disturbed by people enjoying themselves on speed boats.
These geese were on a family outing.
While this mother swan and her cygnets were doing some exploring of their own. I stood still and watched while they came ever closer.
Walking through the grasslands, you might see horses grazing – and geese doing the same!
There are more woods to wander through as you walk towards the abbey again. This tree looks like it’s taking part in a strange praying ritual!
And into the gardens for a final couple of photographs.
I hope you enjoyed the walk around Delapre Park in the Summer. Next time, we’ll visit in the winter.
