down by the river in the early evening sunshine: book reading, people watching. joggers, dog walkers, half the neighbourhood washed up along the shore, soaking up the warmth.

an impromptu game of football, but with real goalposts in the flood plain; no jumpers or school bags here. no kids either: everyone here is that much older, more involved in real life. a dog on a lead on the sidelines, bouncing up and down, cheering on his team.

a pair of crows, chasing in mock-anger, switching and tumbling and cawwing into the tree above the heads of four augustiner-drinkers.

for the briefest of moments i forget where i am, what country i'm in, disoriented as i cross the road in front of the oncoming traffic.