A List – of things you should know about this river where I swim.

The Good Ship Bitsnbobs (this blog) has been listing dangerously to starboard recently. So, in the spirit of “if you can’t beat them join them up into a list," this month – August - i am listing. This is, sort of, explained here.

1. It’s deep - you can see your feet through the water but you won’t touch the bottom sometimes.

2. It’s not autumn yet, but some leaves are drifting onto the river, the dragonflies use them as boats.

3. The little blue dragonflies do this the most and they will let you swim right up to them.

4. There is a heron, if you swim far enough you will see him, but the kingfisher will always be a surprise.

5. Sometimes, if you lie on your back and splash, your knees will feel like they are in a warm shower. Sometimes, if you swim on your front your knees will feel as if they are in a refreshing bath. Your chin will always feel blessed.

6. The water-boatman is faster than me.

7. There are hidden caves behind the trees waiting for someone to explore them.

8. The butterflies flutter by. Some are yellow.

9. There are unexplained cool patches that tingle you.

10. I found a new place. You can sit and watch the fish, jump from the rock if you’re brave, or slip silently into the water.

11. There are purple flowers along the bank.

13. The crickets are in the trees behind the purple flowers. the crickets are noisy.

14. The bark of the trees catch the shimmering reflection of the water, the trees looked bewitched.