Downstream

fell into ‘one of the mud-
holes’ with which ‘the river is
intersected’.
A bright blue sign
announces I’ve arrived at the
Gardens, a tiny park with
cobbled stones and benches.
On the right is a set of big
black gates, ornately
decorated with flashes of
gold, which open on to a
small patch of grass. I walk
towards the river, to a pier
and iron railings. In front of