Summer. What a joy it is to be alive when a real summer is happening.
Up at "The Hammer Pincers" car park, Mike and I waited for his wife Jill to arrive in their silver Honda car. It was almost ten thirty but the western skies were still so filled with summer light that nighttime was again struggling to take command.
I was wearing my navy blue "Yorkshire Pudding" T-shirt, faded blue shorts and walking sandals. The temperature was so balmy that I did not feel any kind of chill.
Once again, we had won the pub quiz with knowledge and cunning. Though Mike and I had no idea, our friend Mick - back from a week in Skegness - knew that Luke Skywalker piloted an X-wing fighter plane in "Starwars" (1977).
Earlier, I made Sunday dinner for the family. It was leg of pork this time with new potatoes, roasted carrots, purple-sprouting broccoli, mixed vegetables, Yorkshire puddings and gravy. This was followed by a superb raspberry cheesecake that Shirley had made from scratch. The slices stood four inches tall and were most delicious and summery.
Afterwards, I lay on the lawn looking up at winging swallows, the cumulus clouds and the blue sky beyond. Little Margot and Phoebe came to join me for a while, riding upon the chest of The Grandpa Beast at the very end of June and laughing like monkeys under that summer sky.
Summer - easing, placating, kindly smoothing out as though there might be no tomorrow. And it feels very good to be alive, hardly bothering to count the days until the first frost of autumn along our unstoppable journey to wintertime.
What a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteLike medicine.
DeleteI like the lay on the lawn bit. Very few people know this pleasure. With two kids ploughing over you, it takes your mind off any serious business.
ReplyDeleteLying on the lawn is the best way to see the sky.
Delete"first frost of autumn along our unstoppable journey to wintertime"
ReplyDeleteI know you are talking about a cycle here, but lurking in the fine print I can feel another of your "rivers flowing to the sea[/death]" tropes coming on.
What are "walking sandals" and do you wear socks with them?
You would probably wear white ankle socks with your stout and robust walking sandals Marcie but tough guys like me go commando.
DeleteSurely really tough guys just go barefoot.
DeleteMy father spent his childhood on a sheep station in Western Australia until he was sent away to school at the age of 8 or 9. He must have run around barefoot much of the time. He was very impressed by a visiting troupe of Hawaian fire walkers.
Did he have a go on the coals himself?
DeleteIf it could only be summer every day. I hate the dark nights, gales and cold of winter.
ReplyDeleteI will look back on this blogpost in bitter wintertime and remember - a breath of summer.
DeleteYou paint a wonderful summerly picture there. I am amazed at the dinner, though - on a summer's day, my appetite goes towards lighter meals; fresh salads and such. And what are "mixed vegetables" in addition to the veg you already listed (new potatoes, roasted carrots, purple-sprouting broccoli)? In any case, it sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteHappy memories you are all building together as a family. Phoebe and Margot may not recall every detail in their later lives, but they will never forget those summer days with their grandparents.
Mixed vegetable - a melange of peas, chopped carrots, sweetcorn and chopped green beans... but I must admit, procured from the freezer section of a supermarket!
DeleteSummer is my favourite time of year, however this one, particularly in London, is far too hot and my poor garden is suffering as well as my sleep.
ReplyDeleteWarm nights never spoil my sleep. I never get that when weather people talk about it being too warm for sleeping. They should try southern Thailand!
DeleteYou should try living in London heat with wall to wall windows in modern townhouse. THEN you'd get it!!
DeleteI don't want to live in London thank you very much Addy!
DeleteIt sounds like you are having a wonderful time just lazily living. "In the summertime wen the weather is hot"
ReplyDeleteAre you the real Mungo Jerry Thelma?
Deletewhile the arctic fox lay glued to the settee..... half by gravity and the other half by steam.... a perfect fox shaoed hole in the cushions enveloping everything below the waterline. The curtains drawn against the sunshine, the daylight.... occasionally hissing at passers-by....
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a vampire cowering in his lair.
DeleteIsn't it amazing how a summer's day can transform our mood.
ReplyDeleteYes - like a soothing tonic.
DeleteThat's a stunning sky photo. I know summer can be problematic in England, but it seems like you are having a good one. When will I read the phrase, 'Hose pipe restrictions'.
ReplyDeleteAt present, I can get my hosepipe out whenever I want.
Delete45 minutes floating in the pool Sunday afternoon, perfect summer days.
ReplyDelete...until the battleship "Sweet Bear" approaches from the west.
DeleteI've never lived in a place where days grew so long in summer. That sky is almost unbearably beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOnce I was in Iceland at this time of year and there was no full darkness at night.
DeleteThis is the kind of summer we all dream about good food, winning pub quizzes, laughter with grandkids, and skies that just won’t turn dark.
ReplyDeleteIt captures those rare, perfect moments when time feels slower and life feels fuller. Makes you want to pause and soak it all in.
Sadly, not all days are like this Asep. Thanks for calling by again.
DeleteCongrats on the pub quiz win!
ReplyDeleteSounded like a lovely family day!
Thank you and yes indeed Ellen.
DeleteSummer is so brief it seems, which makes it all the sweeter I think. What a lovely photo. Grandpa Beast sounds wonderful:)
ReplyDeleteGrandpa Beast is wonderful even though he is a beast.
DeleteWe are all reveling in this wonderful season in one way or another, aren't we? This is the time of year that makes the long, dark slog of winter more tolerable.
ReplyDeleteIt's like money in the psychological bank.
DeleteSounds like a PERFECT day!
ReplyDeleteYup! Just about.
DeleteWhat a stunning sky! I'm not really sure what a balmy summer day feels like. It's just hot (and humid) as hell here. But that's okay.... I'm alive and well enough to enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteIn the end that is all that really matters Kelly.
DeleteA lovely script for the season - it is Winter here, so we need the warmth and visions of warm days!
ReplyDeletewhere did my comment go?
ReplyDelete