N Bucks and Beds run

Today's route card read as follows:
M1 J14, A509 to Newport
Right through town to Chicheley,
A422 Astwood, Stagsden (detour to Stevington), Bromham
A5134 Kempston
A442, A6 Wilstead, Clophill
A507, A600 Holwell, Hitchin
A602, A1 home.

We were up early for breakfast before driving up to Newport Pagnell to pick a turkey joint for next week's festivities. Of course, the sweet shop was paid a visit and we restocked for the car.

A pleasant drive in bright sunshine but bitter cold, was punctuated at Stagsden where I stopped at the church to see the village sign and take a few photos.

Next stop was at Stevington, and the church of St Mary to take a look at the holy well there. The church is very plain inside, and partly ruinous outside, after restoration in 1872 which didn't include the North and South chapels. The church stands on rising ground and the well appears below the church at the base of the church wall. I was surprised at the strength of the flow of water, and can understand why it is said that the well has never been known to freeze.


Leaving the well behind, we then started south again, stopping in Kempston to check out a book shop and a crafting shop. Then it was straight home to start wrapping the presents...