Summer ending
Well, a busy couple of weeks have passed since the Assembly which admittedly seems five minutes ago!
For once, it’s culure vulturing that’s keeping me busy; next week, Companion Andy and I are off to the Music Festival at Emmaus Carlton, but last weekend I had a wonderful treat : my son and daughter in law took me to Belfast to see James Galway perform at Proms in the Park in the magnificent grounds of Hillsborough Castle. We stayed with their friends who were not only delightful but generous, taking us on tours round Belfast City Centre and, on the Sunday, the Giant’s Causeway.
Before that, however, we had a picnic whilst listening to glorious music under a vast cedar tree in wonderful weather, a totally delightful evening, with James Galway and his wife Jane playing duets, later joined by 7 other flautists!
Our wonderful hostess brought her two young boys (8 and 5) on the trip to the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and it was lovely to watch such unfettered fun and energy clambering the rocks. When discussing arrangements for the trip, I had been warned only to take tiny bottles of liquid toiletries for flight restrictions - so when it came to the suntan cream I had thought “Hmm, no need to trouble with that in Northern Ireland in mid-September!” I returned to South Lambeth knowing the meaning of ‘Redneck’ and can only wish the same temperatures for next week.
I returned in time to join a tour of the new Warehouse, which is on course to complete next month and it seems vast - particularly in view of the fact that we will be decorating it ourselves!
The allotment is still yielding a good supply of tomatoes and the winter greens are coming on nicely. Summer is, however, turning to conker-heaven autumn rather too rapidly for my taste - particularly regarding the shortening of the daylight. Oh well, I suppose we’re over half-way between midsummer and the shortest day now..
Take care,
Elizabeth
