two encounters

On the second walk of the day, make a 'phone call at the castle. It is a luxury to make this calls in a variety of pleasant  surroundings, like the park, or the sculpture garden. This is no luxury for younger people, but having been cable-bound in halls up until now it represents a luxury.

Call the friend in Munich and we arrange to meet at nine forty-five on the coming Wednesday. This is the same friend who nearly killed himself on the Klausenberg some months ago. People with weak hearts should not run up hills. Look forward to meeting him again, there are no hills there were he lives in Munich.

When the call is finished and the appointment made, walk around the usual way to the big park. There are many people out walking today, families, some with children, some with dogs and some with both. The recent strong winds took down a large branch from one of the trees. Looking up, identify the tree from which the branch had come, and see that a second branch has broken off and is somehow in a state of suspension in the crown of the tree. The broken end of the branch, at the junction of the trunk and the branch, is clearly visible. Wonder if this is a danger to the users of the path below.

Finally, take a seat on a park bench overlooking the duck ponds. Using a program on the 'phone, start to improve my language. After a while a woman comes by and strikes up a conversation. It is a pleasant enough talk, she tells of her time as an au pair in England, and her times in France. Listen, and tell her a little about the times in Ireland, and England and France.

As it gets darker, it is six in the evening, the peacocks come out of their enclosures and start to pick at the gravel, perhaps looking for leftovers. Then, as it gets darker, we say goodbye, and she goes up towards the playground and that exit.

Go down through the park and enjoy the last of the evening light. The leaves are crunching underfoot, as they always do on a dry autumn evening. Leave the park by the entrance behind the sculpture museum.

The encounter by the duck pond reminds of a similar encounter earlier today, walking along the river after the mornings walk. A lady with a wheeled walking aid smiles, says hello and strikes up a conversation. She is German, she is unhappy with her old persons home. She talks of the time that she was in Ireland, in Connemara and in Galway. She remembers the early pubclosing times, and that these were a major imposition for Germans. Standing there near the bridge in the middle of town, we talk for about half an hour. She is unhappy because the people in the home do not take her seriously, she says.

Then she blames herself for expecting people to have too much time for her.

Oh well