blue swimmer crabs

there was a spectacular sunrise this morning.

i wish i had taken a photo of it, but as usual, i was in too much of a hurry to be on my way before the sun's rays can freckle my already much-too-freckled skin.

the river was unusually calm; it was one of those rare mornings when you just know for sure that you are going to see dolphins.

so i looked and i looked, for all of 90 minutes, and of course no matter how desperate i was, i couldn't see any. i am sure they were close by, though- i heard their characteristic gentle blowing.

what i did see were blue swimmer crabs. i've never seen them in this part of the river before, but they were abundant. tess went into the water and tried to befriend one, but it zoomed off. those creatures are really fast! you really don't get to appreciate their speed and quirky swimming when they are bound and crowded into a fish tank.

i kept looking, my heart and eyes turned to the river on my right. on my left were the two dogs, one of them harassing me to throw a tennis ball. i did. the ball ruffled the shirt of a passing runner. he turned back to look at me. i sheepishly called out an apology. he raised a hand in acknowledgment and continued running.

when i went home, i told mum all about how i wanted to see some dolphins this morning but instead just saw two wet, sandy dogs and a whole lot of blue swimmer crabs. she then said she'd never seen them here before, and how she wished she'd joined me on my walk this morning.

i wonder if there's a lesson to be learnt in that.

happy palm sunday, everyone xx