The swallows are gone and the crows are here - a sure sign that we're turning to face winter. Craw, craw, craaaaw... the unmistakeable harsh cry of one of those black messengers greeted me this morning as I looked out across our balcony at the grey sky rolling in from the sea. These are only normal-sized crows- nothing like the big so-and-sos that turn up around this time of year in Vienna. Those Kraehen are Siberian Crows, taking refuge from the snow and ice of Siberia. Winter's only weeks away when you see one of those. Have they arrived in Vienna yet?
Vienna
My thoughts turn to the city that used to be home. Except that it was never home... I wonder how my friends are doing; wish they were just around the corner for a chat. Funny, I never expected them to feel so far away. Had a vague idea when I left that I'd be hopping on the train every so often to go over there, that we'd meet up half way, be in touch by phone and e-mail and, well, just carry on. It didn't work out like that. The friendship's still as warm if I go there but I don't go there that often. Vienna is a chapter of my life that's closed.
A heron glides over the rooftops, its legs sticking out behind like two cocktail sticks. Strange birds these, you wouldn't think they could fly.
Montreal
I wonder how Rosi's doing, my friend from Vienna who's now in Montreal. (I won't say more about her as she's a bit private like me). Really miss her. Just to be able to chat, you know. I could pick up the phone more often, that's true. But phone and e-mail is still not the same. All the new-fangled electronic media in the world can't ever replace meeting face-to-face.
My cousin's coming to town
And I get to the office and find an e-mail from my cousin in south west England to say she's coming to Amsterdam in mid-October. Yes!
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