Abacus

Today’s Abstract Thursday challenge is repetition - thank you Ingeborg as always. For this I’ve photographed the abacus we brought in China way back in 1980. It was only 18 months since  Deng Xiaoping had opened China to the west, and our day trip from Hong Kong took us into a land of bicycles and Mao suits; we were greeted with amazed curiosity as we viewed the town’s reservoir and makeshift art gallery before visiting the inevitable souvenir and craft shop. 

Our purchase was repurposed as a piece of wall art - apologies for introducing you to yet another item from our travels. I love the rich tones of its wooden beads and its calm simplicity. With its repetitive rods and their repetitive rows of beads, it seems to fit the challenge, though I’ve clearly faffed with the image to add interest. 

And as I’ve been writing this, Daniel has messaged me: the baby’s on her way! Of course, we’ve no idea how long things will take, but they’re in the hospital ……..