The Batchelor, the Chinaman and the Solicitor...

There are a lot of jokes which start out "An Englishman, Irishman and a Scotsman were..." (you can substitute other nations if you wish). This evening I set out to walk down to the town and watch the second half of the Brazil versus Chile match in the pub. Even before the half-time whistle blew, it seemed fairly clear that Brazil were in control, so I set off a little before half-time itself.

Walking along the road, I noticed that the front door of the house of one of my neighbours was open. I hadn't seen him for a while (not since before Christmas, I think), so I called in. Anyway, a glass of whiskey, a bit of conversation, and an re-introduction to his one-eyed cat and her kittens later, I was on my way. (He's the batchelor, by the way)

It's a fair walk down to the town, so the second half and started by the time I got to the pub. The place wasn't busy, so I bought my pint, pulled up a stool and started to watch the match. A little later a new fella came in. Obviously "not from round here", but equally obviously well known. He was given a packet of crisps, without him asking and he too sat down to watch the match. I'm not sure, but I think he has something to do with the Chinese Restaraunt a couple of doors along. (...the Chinaman...)

Once the game was finished, with the expected win for Brazil, the Chinaman left, I finished my pint and so did I. It seemed a bit early to finish the evening, so I decide to have one more in the wine bar on the way home. The place was empty except for the barman, a man I'll choose to describe as "The Solicitor" and me. The Solicitor was finishing his evening mean before going home.

There's no "story" to this. No punch line. But it is rather nice to see people who catch your eye in the evening. I wonder if they noticed me? Possibly not, but then it doesn't matter all that much either way.

Does it get better than this?

Well, maybe not. I'm sure I have been much more excited, but right now I feel very peaceful.

In the last couple of weeks I've completed a pretty substantial change in my life. I think most people would describe moving ones home from one country to another "substantial change"! I feel much less unsettled than I expected. The weather since I arrived has been unexpectedly settled and hot... and then this evening it rained briefly. The air smells fresh and green with that "after the rain" smell.

The sun has set. I'm sure I saw a bat flit across my field of vision a few moments ago. It's often hard to me sure with bats. They have a peculiar ephemeral property. There are clouds in the sky and from time to time the (full) moon is revealed, and then hidden.

The past seems to have faded, and be fading further. Right now I'm going back to reading my book (News from Tartary), a great travel book, by an interesting man, also describing an intersting woman.

New week, new country, new life...

Between Friday and Saturday I moved from one country to another. Immigration takes time you know! By some standards it wasn't such a large move, from England to Ireland, but for me it is a big thing. There is no "going back" any more, because there isn't really anywhere to go back to. The feeling is unsettling, but also exciting.

I'm very fond of the book The man who planted trees, and here is an article which suggests that the idea improves lives in the real world as well.
BBC: How fruit trees in India save girls' lives