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This summer on the Ribble has shown the River in all her many moods and all her glory, and the ever-present rain has ensured that we have had many days over several weeks where even low tide has seen quite high water levels travelling at speed between Preston and South Ribble...
Some days we have seen the sunshine, however, and occasionally several days have passed with no rain, leaving the Ribble's waters crystal-clear and sparkling - and a more usual level at low tide...
The River Ribble is an endlessly-changing body of water, from tide to tide, day to day, mood to mood, the still waters of high tide since the beginning of June have more often than not been patterned by rain...
Whatever the mood and season, however, the Ribble is never silent, either running and plashing with a music which defies description and takes some beating in terms of the sheer pleasure that we get from listening to the water's playful voice as it runs over itself and the stones of the river bed...
...or crashing by with the many millions of gallons of rainwaters which have fallen in the Ribble corridor...
...carrying huge trees and other debris in its path...
...and tonnes of rich silts wash downstream in the maelstrom...
...as the Ribble passes between its banks and beneath its bridges with a tremendous roar...
Only when it is seen can the speed and turbulence of the waters be appreciated...
...as well as their awesome power...
And even in those all-too-brief spells of sunshine...
...the Ribble rushes past...
Ribble wildlife carries on regardless, from House Martins rearing their chatting young in Ribble-mud nests beneath our eaves...
...to the Herons and other birds who wait patiently for low water - and thus their feeding window - to return from their useful vantage points...
The Ribble Swans seem unconcerned whether the waters are high and fast...
...or low and more gentle...
...when the waters swirl and ripple as they travel on their endless journey...
...and don't mind the enormous trees their more powerful incarnation has left behind...
The Ribble is beautiful whatever the weather or water or tide or season...
...and Ribblesiders are always out of doors enjoying the sights and sounds and fresh air...
The views across the Ribble from Preston to Penwortham take some beating...
...and we are still only 5 minutes walk from Preston City Centre!
There are endlessly fascinating creatures and plants everywhere we look...
The rare treat of sunshine lights them to excellent effect!
The insects carry on regardless of the audience...
...and the Ducks never seem to mind...
Horse Chestnuts by the Ribble in the late evening sun...
...which shines over the Penwortham Green Belt...
...while the storm clouds begin to gather once more...
Watching these clouds almost seeming to "boil" as they whirl and build...
...is an equally fascinating sight...
...and the summer rains return to the Ribble once more...
Fancy spending a fantastic day by the Ribble? Come on a Ribble Way Walk to Brockholes on Saturday 4th August for a glorious day on the riverbank...
savetheribble@tiscali.co.uk
