There isn’t much to say. Recovering from the excesses of the season, processing these photos taken last week. Mum and I went for a walk around the lake. Embassies, courting couples, graffiti and spiders. Getting lost and finding the way again. Much is happening, holiday starts tomorrow.

These roses are still beautiful, even when they’ve died.

Fishing in Tay Ho

They said the weather would cool on Wednesday. Tuesday night a smattering of fat raindrops fell then the breeze picked up and the uncomfortable humidity hasn’t returned since. Walking around is pleasant, but the previously clear skies are now shrouded in smoggy grey.

Graffiti near Tay Ho

Most everyone seems to travel on two wheels here but I prefer my two feet approach. I used to be terrified to walk, footpaths are for eating, motorbike parking lots or maybe for building a little fort.  So you must walk on the road where you are part of the traffic. But the epiphany is that when you walk on the road you are just another vehicle, those faster than you overtake while the slowcoaches hang back. You may have to jump out of the way of beeping taxi’s or lumbering busses, but as long as you keep to the side and walk predictably then you’re as safe as houses.

Birdcage at Truc Bach lake

So I’ve been walking, out to Truc Bach Lake over to To Ngoc Van, but I still can’t get the guts to cross the busy road near my house. There is a market over there too much incentive to leave it much longer.

Roses at Nghi Tam

I feel a little stuck out in the boondocks here, but there are some good things way out here.

Clocks on Yen Phu

Sometimes I seem to get stuck out here in Tay Ho, unwilling to take the time and expense to go exploring alone. So I stay and work when concentration allows it. Here are some pictures of my new home.