
We often walk together down from Stevington to where the river is split at the weir head. The shallower of the two flows falls into dappled Sun, shielded by the lines of bristling Beech and the congenial waving of Willows that keeps it special, beyond the wide pool. This stretch hosts two small islands, the lower one of which, is cut through by the road, bridged by the ancient grey stone arches, guiding travellers over to where the welcoming glow of Church awaits. But, the river is all too happy to show off its special collection. And, this is where it's beauty truly lies, for, harboured by the high banks, among the Water violets, Pillwort and Bulrushes, are the brightly discoloured wrappers from the sweet shop or supermarket, casually gifted to the wind for distribution. The gilded glitter of tattered Coke cans, once bright red, but now faded by the Sun, rain and rushing water, take nothing from the shine of sweet Aluminum. But the jewel in this crown is the plastic bottles, fretted humbly into the river's shining curls, assured of safe passage to the ocean where these cute canisters of containment can finally come to rest in the gut of the greatest gift.
Leonhard Rauwolf, German physician and botanist, was born today in 1535.
Donald C. Peattie, American botanist, naturalist and author, was born today in 1898.