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Writer's pictureCathie Rooyen

A good bye

Updated: Oct 26, 2023

Wednesday 25th October 2023


Saying goodbye can be tough. Sometimes I find saying goodbye to a place is difficult too. Even though my logical mind kicks in and I know that the physical space won't miss me, it still feels strange knowing that I'm leaving it. Saying goodbye to people is always hard although the internet has eased that gap in communications, but the physical-ness of the person can be hard to leave behind.


Today I looked out of 'my' window at the back garden that has changed so much in the past few weeks of Autumn. I saw the familiar birds and caught a glimpse of the squirrel running through the high, bare branches like it was scaffolding just for him. After I'd done some packing I decided to go for a walk. The thick clouds were hanging threateningly in the sky but there hadn't been any rain.



I needed to check in on the swans and say goodbye to the small dam. The weather was cool but not as bad as the windy day in Kilwinning plus I'd worn my ear warmers today. It's really true what Billy Connolly says about no bad weather, only bad clothes. I wore long socks under my leggings which also helped keep my legs cosy. I was amazed at all the different colours of the leaves and that so many still clung onto the branches. Some of the leaves looked empty, like the life-green had been sucked out of them, and the watery sunlight shone through the veiny canopy.



There were a few dog walkers and one young puppy, called Skye, stopped to say hello. I chatted with the lovely lady and admired the inquisitive swans who'd come close to check up on snacks. Skye was desperate to nose bump one of them but was safely kept out of reach. We chatted about the missing 3 Cygnets, from the original 6. The lady had watched them from the nest and their growth through the summer. Skye started getting bored so we parted ways and I strolled along the path feeling my goodbyes in my body.


📷 Yes, that's a vacuum cleaner in the dam



I'm heading to my sister tomorrow for my last month of chilly 'summer', lol. I've managed to do and see quite a lot in Scotland, although there are still so many things I want to do. But for today, I was content with letting in the autumn feel and detaching from the environment that has been so good to me this year.


Feeling really grateful again for all my wonderful opportunities to be here, right now on this blue planet..

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