It’s relentless. And exhausting. First we had 10 months of chilly rain, then a heatwave, then a cold spell, before wave after wave of heat. Having spent Monday recovering from the weekend, I then spent Wednesday recovering from Tuesday. Sadly, I had to go to a funeral of a friend which sparked memories of times never to come again, indeed a friend remarked recently ‘we are all scattered now’. The train journey to Portsmouth went well thankfully, but the return less so with no air-conditioning. I melted afresh. We were given a free bottle of water on one train. The service and burial were obviously emotional but delivered well by the young, enthusiastic priest. It was held in Portsmouth Catholic Cathedral. Before the service I sat for a while in the pretty rose garden.
Transport issues. Again. Having dropped my car off at the garage for a service, I tentatively booked a train ticket for Tuesday before walking to the High Street to catch a bus up the hill. The bus left early so reached the next stop at 0925. Too early for a lady to use her bus pass…How ridiculous! The service is hourly so makes it hard for people to wait for the next one, and if it was early, then that is not the passenger’s fault. I do not like unfairness.
NLO issues continue unabated despite me calling out some really untenable behaviour. Sadly, one of the best Astroscouts has now left the group due to the issues.
Charter Day at Honiton was a fun-filled day full of music, colour, and friends. There was the colourful Samba music group, the Rock Choir, Morris dancing, charity stalls, craft stalls, and a demonstration from Gittisham Forge in making intricate metalwork. I met a Devon policeman aptly named Fudge. The event was rounded up in the evening with a delightful concert by Honiton brass band in the Millennium Green where drinks and snacks were available. We did not know about the latter but will remember for next year. The cakes looked very tasty.
With school holidays looming, there is the annual whinge about their length and the cost of keeping children entertained. What happened to letting them make their own entertainment? I read and read and drew and played with friends outside. My own children played with friends, drew, made Lego models, read, we took picnics to the park. I was ‘farmed out’ to relatives although at the time it was billed as a holiday with grandparents, followed by a holiday with an auntie and uncle. I had a great time. This was in the 1960s and ‘70s. My own children sadly did not have those opportunities, just the occasional weekend with grandparents. I was lucky to not be working when they were young but, even so, did not feel they needed to be entertained by me all the time. We had a reasonable sized garden which was a help as there was room for a paddling pool, a small slide, and a sandpit. There was a lovely play area and lake a short walk away as well which we used to visit. A group of youngsters roamed between houses making up games between them. A real community effort in keeping an eye on them ensued. Happy days. This was in the 1990s.
Thankfully, the week has ended on a much cooler and fresher note. Let’s hope some rain appears soon.
My brain melted in the heat, but I hope it wakes up this week and gets back on track to promote my friend John’s artwork. He is an amazing space artist and is seeking to raise funds for our local Observatory. Please contact me to learn more.
Karen Hedges 