canoes, fingers and thumbs

[estuary_woman]

The canoeing is lovely. Quiet water and different views of known places are somehow freeing, comforting and peaceful. The birds behave differently when human sight and presence catches them from the water and not the land. Almost silent paddle strokes do not seem to disturb them. Perhaps it is our profile on the water and the smaller, safer, shadow cast. I am learning to look at the paddle as a rudder and to turn the canoe around. Co-ordinated movement does not come easily to me, but it gets a little better each time. Last weekend the high tide was late in the afternoon and beng on the river in the particular glow and warmth of that time of day was very good indeed.
Today, my  thumbnail is mostly  taped on with sellotape. I caught it in the door at work a month ago and it is now coming off, but not quite yet. That is on the right hand. The left hand is getting better after a cat bite last weekend. Pins and needles sensation in all the fingers is going now., almost as I type. The cat is a lovely animal, I just approached it at the wrong time, I think, and worried it.  It did not stop me being on the Roman river on Sunday, which was  beautiful. Sunshine, warm wind and water; growing confidence in things learned; all these are sources of pleasure and happiness, even if I have slightly compromised dexterity just now. It is coming back, bit by bit.
Maybe  it will be the garden tomorrow, and in the afternoon a visit somewhere local, to an old hall with a moat.