Gifts that made them happy ...

A good friend offered them gifts …

They donned their wellies and went along to his house by the river.

Chatting amiably they filled the boot 
with firewood he had stored and cut for them ...

And shook the trees, heavily garlanded with apples.

Crimson and green mottled 'Newton Wonders'

Fly Agaric dotted below the boughs.

He invited them to sit on a bench by the water’s edge

and proferred a small glass of red wine each.  

Warmed by their physical exercise, they listened and watched.  

The Somerset Levels stretched before them, 
a flat landscape of wetland and willow.  

The river running low and fast – 

the local mill gates raised to avert flooding after days of rain.  

They talked of times past, their shared history.  

Gifts as precious as treasure … 

... that night they sat by a warm fire, 
drinking pressed juice, comforted by apple crumble.  

Chocolate macaroons crumbled into the topping made it extra special.

They will remember their afternoon by the river.