Great Barford a few miles downstream from Bedford where a substantial 15th century church and bridge indicate how important this place once was. Sheep vacated their drinking place when I arrived. So I sketched by the water's edge and listened to the splashes of the swimmers, paddle-boarders and canoeists from the campsite on the other side of the river. The Anchor pub seemed to be doing good holiday business. Ossa, a golden labrador, came and fished (well - observed them darting underwater and head-dunked for them in the shallows.) I talked with master. I learnt about the the recent tragedies of the local mill-owner with his Porsche and his helicopter. I also discovered that we had friends in common. It was an uplifting and reassuring encounter. It is enough to be humanly companionable: we don't have to solve the world's problems. Enough is enough. |