Across the river from "Riverbend", high up amongst the gumtrees, is an old cottage. It used to be lived in many years ago but nobody lives there now and it is slowly falling to pieces. And yet at one time it must have been the fulfillment of somebody's dreams as evidenced by old flowerbeds and a rusty kiddy's swing outside and a cosy fireplace and bookshelves inside.
I reflect on this impermanence and apparent pointlessness of all human endeavour every time I row across the river and climb up the steep track past the old cottage to walk the Runnyford Road.
