Unexpected treats

I was anticipating a miserable morning of shopping in the rain, but after last night's steady downpour we have a bright clear day, cold but not unseasonably so.

As we were crossing Milburngate Bridge, high above the river, the resident heron flew under the bridge, barely moving its wings, poised in perfect silhouette, gleaming in the sun, and up from below to the spire of St. Nicholas' church.