One of my earliest memories is of sucking-in mouthfuls of cold, crystal clear, fresh water as it bubbled from a natural spring in the stony bank of the country lane near where we lived. On a hot day no drink has ever tasted so sweet and refreshing.
A second happy memory is of the summer after O-Levels, camping in a field alongside the River Wye with various friends. No responsibilities, endless freedom, good company and the river to jump and play in. Here in London, a calming stroll along the canalised River Lee restores energy and my optimism.
The water that concerns me most these days is the mighty trout brown Thames. It seems none of us tire of playing in and around water. Boris's mud-pie of an airport island is fast melting away in the swirling currents created by Sir Howard Davies' recent announcement. He was clear that no environmentally damaging proposal would make it to his interim report in December. By that reckoning, none of the proposals would be successful, but he's already stated he bends to the pressure of arguments in favour of expansion. As the various plans put forward for airports in the Thames Estuary are THE most environmentally damaging, I'm taking Sir Howard at his word and am not expecting to see diggers moving onto the Hoo Peninsular anytime soon.
The poor old Thames is also at the centre of other development plans too. The Department for Transport is consulting on three options for a new crossing. The GLA (Mayor Boris again) is also considering a new crossing at Silvertown and the future of the Woolwich Ferry. Finally Thames Water is planning a giant tunnel under the river to carry away millions of tonnes of raw sewage.
Where once, everyone played in the rivers, it seems today most people want to tame the rivers and view with disdain those who admire and respect the swirling waters. Like a lot of things in nature, water can be dangerous, but don't let this freeze you with fear; GET OUTDOORS. Nature's NOT nasty. You won't be spiked by grass, savaged by a caterpillar nor gored by a hedgehog. Wildlife is wild but gaining experience of it through play is crucial.
Our new President, Miranda, has championed eating roadkill, and that will probably be the stick the media will beat her with forever more. Chris Packham this week came over all emotional talking about his illegal adoption of a young kestrel. What these examples show is that people who now care passionately about the world around them, learn about it through experimentation and play.
Messing about is good for your physical and mental health, which is why we're opening Rainham Marshes International Avian Airport over half-term and up to Christmas, where you can visit to watch the incoming flights of travellers from Africa and northern climes as the mass migration of species gets underway. We'll have news on departures too as other birds take flight for warmer climes. Lets call it migration tourism and soon certain national daily papers will be running stories on "them migrant waders, coming over here, taking advantage of our mudflats".