The River Book

Educated in watery disciplines to masters level, Tessa Wardley is a member of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management and a former senior water ecologist at a leading environmental consultancy and policy advisor to the Environment Agency. These days she uses her 15 years experience of studying rivers to back up the fun and adventures she has in and around them, usually accompanied by her four children.

Contents




NB. Each suggested activity includes suggestions for a selection of rivers that are ideal for doing that activity and tells readers how to get to them.





Introduction





Finding your River




Where to Start - Looking at Maps - The River - The Banks - Access





Play




Words and Games - Build Channels and Dams - Make Water Wheels - 'IT' and all its variations - Making Miniature Boats - Duck Races - Water Fights - Obstacle Courses and Races - Scavenger and Treasure Hunts - Pooh Sticks - Skip Stones ...- Other Games with Stones - Water Magic





Be Curious




Hunt for Minibeasts - Go on a Dragon Hunts - Catch Crayfish - Look at the Plants - Forage for Wild Foods Have a Look Under the Water - Go Fishing - Tickling for Trout - Go Bird Watching - Map a Bird Territory - Predict the Weather - Go on a Mammal Hunt - Pull Your Froude Indicator Out - Go Dowsing





Relax




Lie Back and Listen - Contemplate a Waterfall - Do Some Yoga - Make a Sculpture - Peer off a Bridge - Search for Sacred Springs - Soak your Feet - Have a Picnic





Be Adventurous




Go for a Swim - Go on Safari - Swim, Float, Boat - Climb a Tree - Jump In - Make a Rope Swing - Shoot Some Rapids - Camp Out





Fascinating Facts




How Clean is Your River? - How Fast is the Water in the River Moving? - How Much Water is there in the River? - How Powerful is that Waterfall Crashing on my Head? - Is Water Really Blue? - The World in a Grain of Sand - How Old is your River? - The River and Its Past





Practicalities




Safety - Leave Only Footprints - Legal Access