As I felt my mood lighten with the brightening of the day as the sun burned through the murk and mist, I was led to pondering once more about the lateness in returning to Greenwich Mean Time. Our bodies are aligned to the sun and at this time of year, the sunlight seems increasingly out of sync with the time of day. The mornings are cold as it is earlier than the clock displays of course. I welcome the return of the hour so that the morning light and temperature are much more in tune with my body and the time of day.
Having borrowed a couple of books from the Children’s Library, I was incensed to come across two errors. And not to mention a mistake about Sir Norman and helium in the August edition of Astronomy Now. Why, oh why, can’t I get published!? However, I am not immune from making mistakes myself and have just completed revising an earlier book of mine. The main errors were punctuation not factual though.
Stress levels were quite high during the week on an outing to the city of Exeter for a special screening of the film Pressure, accompanied by a talk from the Met Office technical adviser. The film was powerful with breathtaking performances from the lead actors. The stress came from finding a car park which stayed open late, was easy to find, near the venue, and did not involve a strange parking app. The scene setting of the film was superb with attention to detail as I had not been aware of in a film before. The whirling cigarette smoke of a 1940s office, the type of paper and pencils used, the accuracy of the weather charts and accompanying background conversation, the gentle breeze which foretold of the forecast accuracy. Of course, liberties were taken with who was where and the addition of thunder, but, overall, the film took us along for a rollercoaster ride of emotion, a collective sigh of relief when the rains fell.
Stress was followed swiftly by success in an apple pie competition in which I came first. There were not many entries in the event organised by the local town council for Apple Day I must admit, although the pie was a worthy winner with its light flakes and buttery flavour.
There was more breathtaking action by the performers of Exeter Opera Group as they performed Saint Saens Samson et Dalila. Iryna Ilnytska has worked hard over the years to bring together enough musicians and singers to make this opera group not only a success, but of a high standard to appear at bigger and bigger venues. She deserves success. Her voice and performance are outstanding. If you have not seen her, do catch one of the performances in Devon. And tell your friends! Soloists from other areas add to the mix of more local singers, while Iryna herself is an award winning Ukrainian mezzo soprano whose desire to help Ukraine involves multiple solo concerts. Money raised goes straight to volunteers in Ukraine for buying essential small items.
The week was rounded off with a trip on a tram at Seaton Tramway to celebrate my husband’s son’s birthday. Friends joined us for the ride and the inevitable cream tea afterwards. The day was warm and sunny, and we ambled along the seafront afterwards, basking in the late afternoon warmth.
Trouble and strife seem far away on glorious late summer days of warmth and friendship. Harvest festival reminded us to share and be kind to one another. If only. I sang the harvest hymns with gusto as this time of year always reminds me of my dear Dad who loved to grow and share his vegetables.
