I have just spent the last couple of days at a festival in the nearest large town. Fascinating stuff to be sure. The point of the festival is to promote the town and the main vehicle for the fun and frovility is the river; this major attribute serves the town mainly as a lure for tourists these days. The time when it served as a main transport or travel route have long gone but the borough recognises what a fabulous asset they have. There is a long embankmkent and when it is not festival time, there are magnificent floral displays. The accessble section of river has two or three bridges over it, allowing those meandering over them a birds eye view of a really superb vista.
The reason I am bigging up this area is that the fine walks and bridges are a haven for walkers, joggers, and keep fitters. There are little groups of folk darting about and making the most of the beauty, out in the fresh air. Even on a rainy or cold day, the riverside is so attractive, with a small crop of little bistros and other eateries dotted around what is now referred to as ‘the cultural’ quarter. The town’s main museum & art gallery is there with all of the side activities. This must be one of the healthiest groups of folk on the planet if the rate of exercise and contented faces is anything to go by.