Summer blue sky

 

Wispy clouds chased by gentle cooling breezes

 

Verdant riverbanks, dense and luscious

 

Geese feasting greedily on lunchtime leftovers

 

Murky waters gently flowing downstream, swirled up by passing punts and barges

 

A mother duck leading her ducklings in a row

 

Crowded tourist boats

 

Cameras frantically snapping the city of history behind me – freezing the moment for posterity

 

Children playing

 

Lovers embracing

 

The sound of birds, boats, laughter and diverse tongues

 

A moment to relax, refresh, reflect, renew …

 

Seated under the shade of a horse chestnut tree that has overlooked this scene for thousands of days, I reflect on how it would be if I actually took the time to notice and enjoy the simple things in every day.