Paddling for water storage tanks at Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre Zimbabwe: day three on the River Stour

Yesterday we completed our first lap of the River Stour, paddling from Stratford St Mary to the end of the river at Cattawade (not counting the river beyond Cattawade that opens up into a large tidal river that goes out to sea at Felixstowe and Harwich)

It was an increasingly windy day with rain showers to begin with yesterday morning when we set off at 9am. I don't mind the rain at all, but the wind is an unnecessary battle when it is coming right at you in a head wind! You can easily wear yourself out if you stay in it for too long. It is far better to let nature do its ‘thing’ and wait for it to settle down again. I have learnt from experience that it is far better to judge whether you creep along the side of the river, staying out of the wind as much as possible or to stop for the day.

There are some benefits to being on the river in the wind and one of my favourites is to hear the Poplar trees rustle like mad and to watch them swaying in the wind. Poplars, Aspens and Cottonwoods are all related. I just love the Poplars because you very often hear them before you see, or notice them. Even when there is only a breath of wind, the leaves will start off their lovely rustling sound. Time to look up. They are like an old friend saying “hello”.

They do this because of the vertically flat petiole, which is the part that connects the leaf to the stem which is longer than say the Willow tree leaf stem which is very short in comparison. In all Poplars, Cottonwoods and Aspens, the leaf stem is extended. It is also the shape of the leaf stem which is vertically flat so it is both length and shape of the leaf stem that makes them quiver and rustle. The Latin name for Aspen is ‘Populus tremuloides’ which says it all! So next time you are out for a walk and hear a rustling sound, look up and see if it is a Poplar and if it is, take a moment to look at the leaf stem and its flat shape and length..

Today it is another very windy day, but we are hoping to drop in at the start again at Sudbury tomorrow to start lap two, even though the forecast is much the same, this can always change overnight. Here's hoping.

Ballade of a Rainy Day by John Bradburne

 

Rain may stop play at cricket, but it can

Never stop praying to the God of grace

And grass and grasshoppers and hopes in man

Of better things to come upon our race

In time, even in time where time will face

Sublime eternity and, as for me,

Merry this very moment in embrace

Of Mary Queen of grace I well may be.

*

No platitude, but attitude to plan

Of Christ's beatitude I'd have you trace

Out in this sally: Rally, rise to span

The gap as aptly as a child in place,

On earth, as is in heaven angel-face

Facing Our Father ... here's no lack of glee

Where made immaculate in the embrace

Of Mary Queen of grace I well may be.

*

The ground around is wet since rain began

Two hours ago, the powers flow apace

And swell the mellow rivers... 'is it Pan

Piping sublimely out from time and space

In rhyme? or is my Nursemaid whom I face

Not minding if I call her Nanny'? free

Of Mary Queen of grace I well may be

Never! I billy with my Nanny gloat

That Pan is wholly Man not half a goat...

God encompasses us: push out the boat

In Marry bonne (one beer

Is worse than none - I steer

Clear of it, Prince!).

 

Teresa Yonge and James Perkins are doing a 134-mile sponsored Paddle on the River Stour in East Anglia, for Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre in Zimbabwe for water storage tanks. This is the first of their daily blogs, chronicling the journey. Read the introduction post here. You can donate to their campaign here.