News
A tale of mud, pooh-sticks and musical talent
"Friday 16th October: in the cold grey light of what seemed like dawn, 39 L6 geographers and four staff left for the wilds of Wales. Our mission: to study the downstream changes in the characteristics of the Afon (that's river) Tarrell. Dropped off by the coach at the foot of Pen y Fan we started our (luckily) downhill trek. The clouds were at road level and it was raining in that innocuously misty but cumulatively very wet way that Wales has. The source of the Afon Tarrell is unremarkable - in fact the girls found it hard to believe that this muddy trickle could in any way be described as a river.
"Despite the weather they enthusiastically launched themselves into detailed measurements. In total we measured 23 sites downstream and along the way we challenged them to invent a river song, incorporating as much geography as possible. Sadly they failed (but more of that later). As we progressed down the river the girls discovered much evidence of the local Welsh sheep (mainly on their wellies) and were heckled by herds of cows.
"Just after lunch, as they were giving mini presentations on what they had learned so far, we saw our first glimmer of blue sky. Then, as if by magic, the sun came out, revealing an all together much more pleasant Wales. Our final challenge was to measure the velocity of a site where it was far too deep to get in the river and use our flow meters. Mrs Bedford had come prepared - we were to play "pooh sticks" , but the sticks failed to emerge from under the bridge. However, we did provide a distraction to many drivers who were bemused to see 43 females hanging over a bridge gazing hopefully into the waters below.
"On the return journey, staff were disappointed to find that the girls had not produced a fully geographical song. We four teachers put our heads together and some short time later the girls were treated to the debut (and, sadly, final performance) of 'Greggers and the Rockettes':
(To the tune of Mamma Mia):
River River
Our day started uphill
By a tiny stream
There my channel was straight
And not very deep
Look at me now
Will I ever bend?
I don’t know how
But I suddenly lose control
Meanders are in my flow
Just one riffle and velocity goes
One more eddy and I’ll go round the bend
Oooooo
River, river
Here you flow again
Downhill, all the way to Brecon
Riffle, riffle
Here you slow again
Pool, pool, let’s get helicoidal.
Oh how my bedload’s rounded
Just cos attrition ground it
That’s why
You’ll go up the Hjulstrom curve.