Captured

I've just been downloading a whole lot of photos from our recent jaunt Down Under, from the rather tasty camera of niece Ayu, who is still with us here until we return her to her family at the weekend. There are those sniffy people who argue that when folks are busy taking pictures they are missing the actual experiences they should really be focusing on (pun intended.) Like many clever arguments this sounds sort of plausible, but is essentially silly. You don't have to observe the rituals of photo-taking long to realise how it adds to the intensity of the experience being undertaken to eventually allow it to be relived in tranquillity. Pictures are a wonderful aid to recollection - something my wife has taught me, over the years. Looking at Ayu's photos, the majority of which celebrate the antics of herself and her cousins, the sheer exuberant fun of being young teenagers comes almost exhaustingly to life in a way that I can only think of as precious.

And something else Noi captured for me today. She was remarking on the friendly helpfulness we'd experienced on our trip from so many Aussies. This was summed up by one particular lady who was driving the free shuttle bus we took to get around the centre of Melbourne on our first day there. Her commentary on the journey was incredibly detailed and useful. She sounded as if she really enjoyed her work - quite a feat for someone who was plying the same route day after day. She actually held up the bus for us before we alighted, obviously recognising our indecision with regard to what we were going to do and quite happy to let us hold her up.