Wordle 163
A sturdy small girl
stomps down the pavement in a paddy,
crosses the field at speed
to launch herself with aplomb into the dinghy.
Rocking wildly she picks up an oar
to propel the boat upstream
by paddling over the stern.
Her fluid strokes are expert,
outrace the chase by angry parent,
She steers skilfully,
leans across the current towards open terrain
on the far side of the river. Escape, freedom
Countless small creatures scent blood,
descend on tender skin for a meal.
Hot itching inflames her temper,
fuels an about turn in search of respite,
calamine lotion and a soothing touch
from mother, jovial now that the wanderer’s returned.
This was me as a child, living beside the Thames. The stately river could ease my mood in an instant. Not so the midges!
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Vivinfrance's Blog 
I got bitten by midges at work yesterday! We were busy cleaning spruce tree debris off an art and architecture feature at Kielder – the Mirage: http://kielderartandarchitecture.com/art-architecture/mirage-deck.html
And your grandson is going to have his first trip on the water in his training with Tyne United Rowing Club: http://tyneunited.co.uk/
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Should have added ‘tomorrow’ to that last sentence! Duncan and I have both been out in the launch with the last Learn2Row group who are a few weeks ahead of Fraser – it is fantastic when the weather is kind. Last week was all training inside as the weather was too foul for the beginners. Sally
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Good luck, Fraser for (I presume) today. Leave the crabs where they’re happiest and don’t catch any. xox
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Probably Wednesday to make that clear but could be tonight as they are short of a rower for a J12/J14 crew – depends how much homework he comes home with!
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This was so well written that I could feel the bites!
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Hmmm. The Thames is haunting my life these days. Just read a novel by P.D. James and the river was almost a character. Isn’t it fun to draw on those old memories for poetic inspiration?
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It seems to pervade a huge amount of my writing. What was the PDJ book? I’d like to read it.
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Viv, this had a great title, a real eye-catcher. Then your young self fleeing at the speed of snit, rowing, rowing, only to have the thirsty little bloodsuckers send you back home!! Great and lots of fun. Amy
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You certainly were a spirited child, Viv. Well done.
Pamela
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This was just a wonderful romp, truly enjoyed it!
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I adore this little spunky girl. 🙂
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The child’s mind is always open to compromise to revert back to Mom’s call very easily. Just a little distraction is good for good feelings. Wonderful write Viv!
Hank
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this was me too…except I escaped into the wood and neither my homecoming nor my disappearance were ever noticed.
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I was thinking just the other day of how much more daring we were when young. I am glad you were too…and we both survived!
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I recognise that mood, too! Except I had no river …
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The best adventures always end with a hug..and home..what a wonderful slice of remembering
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It’s good to know that you were rebellious in your youth. Makes me feel comfortable for some reason. We would or could have been friends. I loved rivers and bodies of water, even them. They promised freedom and adventure,
Elizabeth
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