Making time for people.

The sun was shining, the air was nippy and the water had an edge to it. These pebbles were once part of the spoil heaps from the local mining industry, which down here meant tin mainly, various ores and arsenic.

In time, a time frame which our minds invariably find hard to comprehend, these little stones which were once boulders, will be the grains of sand on the local beach 600 meters away, (That's five minutes in old money). My grandchildren will then take their children and grandchildren to play on what grandpa once walked across as a stone, by then the stones will be grains of sand and I will be dust.

This morning we met some friends who were searching for a pair of ducks that had gone AWOL. I showed them the otter holt, and we observed a moments silence for the souls departed. Further on we met a very quiet elderly Chinese gentleman, out for a wander along the valley in the sun. I smiled at him and said, "Nee how, Kung Hei Fat Choi." (Good morning, Happy New Year) his face lit up, he introduced himself, we shook hands and instantly became my best mate ever. :-)) It doesn't take much to lift people's spirits. We drove past him later, he recognized us and waved enthusiastically; a new name, a new year, a new friend.