Sunday 1 September 2013

Bulrushes at dawn


I'd like to say that we had a blissful afternoon today, enjoying each other's company in the late summer sunshine.  But it was one of these days when everyone was a little fractious.  The biggest boy and the middle boy were banned from walking together because of an inability not to drive each other mad, to the point of whacking each other.  I picked a teasel for the biggest boy, who proceeded to use it to "defend" himself.  The littlest boy had a broken bulrush which we found which also did some brotherly damage.  A difference of opinion over whether it was swallows or house martins swooping overhead turned ugly.

But... we did have a nice time other than that.  The biggest boy walked 5 paces behind us, the middle boy was 5 paces in front, the littlest boy was stripped of all weapons, and other half was permitted to talk about golf uninterrupted.  (It's not necessary for anyone to listen to this.  The appearance of listening is enough.)  Thus peace was maintained.

We climbed up to St Arilda's Church at Oldbury-on-Severn.  It's on a little hill, and the views are lovely.





Then we circled back and walked down to the river shore.  It was a windy day.  In fact for most of the walk along the top of the flood defences my hair was blown into such a huge ball of whipped up chaos that I couldn't really see much.  I picked up a bit driftwood to make an insect-friendly woodpile for the garden (will the saltiness matter?  I might soak it first...) and carried that in a carrier, plus a chunk in my hand, my bag (which is quite big), my camera and camera case, the walk book, the teasel, the bulrush, a Power Ranger and two acorns.  No-one helped me over the gates.  What with the hair situation and the fact that it was quite a big bit of driftwood it's possible that I wasn't at my most elegant.


The white building on the horizon is a nuclear power station.  We can see if from our house, which isn't really what you want to see from your window, but someone has to have it.  The yachts are from the local sailing club, and they were having a great time in the wind.


This was the view downstream.  The Severn Bridge, and behind it (underneath) you can just see the new Severn crossing.  The river is mighty indeed from this angle.

There's one precious day of the summer holidays left.  I have a little tradition of taking the boys to the beach for ice-cream and donkey rides.  I'm hoping for a little entente cordiale.  Bribery with ice-cream and donkey rides may help.

17 comments:

  1. I love all rivers - their history and landscapes, and the Severn fascinates me. It is such a powerful river.
    Hope you all have a lovely, last day of the holidays!

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    1. The Severn is indeed amazing and incredibly powerful. Thank you for your good wish, it was a lovely day.

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  2. I know I shouldn;t laugh but honestly, I recognised the walk you described so well - different players, different location but the same interactions :-)

    Enjoy your last day. I have been fighting back the busy-ness of term time and trying to defend our last couple of days of peace, but general car and house maintenance can't be put of for much longer. And I had forgotten I'm working at school on Wednesday, which is a bit of a worry!

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    1. Hope today went okay. It is back to the busy-ness with a vengeance I think.

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  3. We live just the other side of the severn from you and can also see the power station from our window - it can look pretty when the light catches it right ;) Looks like another good walk, will have to try it sometime.

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    1. It does look pretty at night when it is all lit up. Must take quite a bit of electricity though.

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  4. Rather them on the yachts than me!

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    1. Me too! I've heard it's much like standing in a freezing cold shower ripping up fifty pound notes. Although these little boats were fairly modest.

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  5. I'm always slightly in awe of the River Severn when I cross it - and the bridge! It must be an amazing view when you get that tidal wave coming down the river! Love the title of this post - as I look after small kids during the weekdays, I totally empathise with your battles and distraction (especially with ice-cream) is totally the way to go! Have lots of fun on your last day, sounds idyllic!

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    1. Yes, I get by on a rota of threats and bribery.

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  6. Oh dear, I wish I could tell you it gets better as they get older, but it doesn't. Sounds like you had a nice walk anyway, well, apart from the wind. We had it here too yesterday, in fact, it hasn't died down yet.

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    1. Yes, I can feel it not getting any better already! There is more lip and backchat I think.

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  7. I suspect just one being a little factious is bad enough so when you're all feeling that way....
    An enjoyable post with terrific photos showing some great views.
    I hope that today with donkey rides and ice-cream is better.

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    1. How could it not be?! Thank you for your lovely comment Flighty. You are always so kind about my offerings!

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  8. I lost count the amount of times I had to separate my children on various outing this Summer - a lovely walk though.

    Nina x

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    1. Glad it's not just me! It was indeed quite a nice walk, despite everything.

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