Blue Sky

Our beautiful island is sizzling daily under a sapphire blue sky.  The sun beats down and bakes the grass in the meadows to a golden brown.  Farmers are making hay while the sun shines and children are finally able to hold Sports Day in the summer sun.  The wind that usually whips round the cottage, battering everything in it's path, has turned from a wild animal into a biddable pet and keeps us cool with it's gentle breeze.

Yesterday was Sports Day at H2's school.  Last year it was cancelled altogether, due to awful rain and cold weather.  Not so this year!  We were more concerned that we would get burnt to a crisp under the glare of the sun on an open field.  We took plenty of water, a quilt to sit on and slapped sun cream on every five minutes.

Not a bad location for a school playing field.  The children entered into the spirit of the occasion and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, despite being extremely hot.  The teachers had put up 2 gazebos for them to sit under while waiting for their turn, so they at least weren't too hot.  The parents, however, were sweltering in the heat, but we enjoyed the novelty and reminded ourselves that this is exactly what we had all been praying so hard for, during the months of cold and wet.

H2 was thrilled to get two seconds and two thirds in different races and for once actually enjoyed taking part in strenuous exercise.  Not being one for any form of forward locomotion other than to the fridge, it was lovely to see him put in so much effort and have some fun at the same time.  I am hoping to keep the enthusiasm going for as long as possible.

This morning when I drew back the curtains, another glorious day greeted me.  It makes my heart skip and I can't help but smile.  I love the sun.  I love the heat.  I love the lazy feeling that comes over the countryside.  Animals graze sleepily or just lie flat out and soak up the rays.  Bees bumble about in and out of flowers, humming lazily to themselves.  Butterflies flit from grass to wall and rest a while, wings wide open.  Birds doze in the dappled shade of tree tops and the silence is everywhere.

Not being ones to miss out on a day like this, Pea and I grabbed a trug and set off to gather elder flowers.

Even though the clock hadn't even struck ten, the heat was quite intense, but now and then the breeze moved the air around us and cooled us enough to keep going.  It sounds pathetic to those who live with real heat, all the time, but here in Britain and especially Wales, we just don't get the chance to acclimatise.  We will just be getting used to it and it will rain.  Anyway, it was a perfect day to gather elder flowers as they should be picked when fully open and dry.  We picked them from several different trees and enjoyed a lovely walk at the same time.  We left the dogs at home in the cool of the cottage as they would struggle and make it hard work for us.

At home, I left the flowers in a bowl outside so the insects trapped within the tiny petals had a chance to escape, and I went in for a cup of tea.

Pea chopped some lemons and filled the kitchen with their fresh scent.  I find lemons one of the best things to lift flagging spirits, lemons and of course garden mint.  We poured boiling water on the elder flowers, lemons and added sugar; gave it all a stir and left it covered in the kitchen.  It will sit here for two days, emitting it's sweet perfume every time someone lifts the cover off to have a peek.  When it is ready, I will strain it into a bottle and it will be ready to drink.  Elder flower cordial is best diluted with sparkling water and lots of ice.  It doesn't keep so just enjoy it while you have it.  It is summer in a bottle.

Enjoy some summer time where ever you are. xxx