Here I am sitting in the Grand Place in Bruges.  I’m the one behind the camera.

I’ve been talking to a nice old couple.  (Hmm … perhaps younger than me!)  They’re from Groningen in the north of The Netherlands.  Their son spent time living in Canada.  >  Where?  > London.

Where I’m from.  We had a jolly conversation about Canada and Europe … and other stuff which escapes me at the moment.  It was fun.

***

Earlier I sipped my cappuccino in Izy Coffee and chatted with the barista, who’s from Glasgow, Scotland.  That was fun too … talking about life with someone at least fifty years younger than me.

I decided to tell her about my favourite book – “The Wise Heart” by Jack Kornfield.  Years ago I would never have done such a thing.  Intrusive, I thought.  Now I don’t care about that.  “You’re free to ignore everything I say.”  She smiled.

***

Next up on the bench I was renting was a family from Rome.  Here you see Michele, Alessia, Stefano. Stefania and Bruce … all Italian.

More talking about life, this time including my stay with friends in the village of Riardo – between Roma and Napoli.  Plus the ecstasy of tasting tagliatelle porchini with divine olive oil.  Oh, the taste bud memory!

I asked Stefania what she enjoys most about Stefano.  “His love of travel.”

I asked Stefano what he enjoys most about Stefania.  “Her empathy.”  Great answers.

***

Tonight will be a lovely event in my life.  I can feel it approaching.  You’ll just have to swim in the suspense overnight. 

All will be revealed