Equity in the future.

Off home. The Wee House locked up until 'The Font' returns sometime next month. The rental car will finally be returned to the airport and the company reassured that I've not done a runner in their underpowered Peugeot.

Vignettes of a different world.

Outside the chapel a group of soon to graduate Hong Kong boys cluster together. No families to cheer them on. Most of the Hong Kong boys are kilted. A political statement ?  I sense that not all of them will be returning to Hong Kong. Their future probably different from the way they imagined it would be .

In the queue at Tail End ( the great fish and chip shop on Market Street ) a Jamaican family with their daughter in her gown and hood. The first member of the family - anywhere - to go to university. Two embarrassed younger brothers in bought for the occasion suits hop from one foot to the other. The father tongue tied with pride. The grandmother on a happiness high. In between giggles she chants 'Oh my goodness' , over and over, as if it's all a fairy tale. They're chatting to an Indian family. The grandparents arrived from the Punjab forty seven years ago to work in a factory. The father built up a newsagents. Now their tall, pencil thin, son is a doctor. Their joy infectious. When you have equity in the future everything is possible. Such is the wonder of every day hope.

Then it's time to go. The town bells are still ringing. One peel plays Chariots of Fire. The Principal, a wee lady dressed in black velvet bonnet leads her colleagues down the road. This is the third procession of the week. Another seven to go and the same number next week. She waves . Repetition doesn't seem to have dampened her happy enthusiasm.

Ball bearings :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q