You have got to love these balmy summer days, when the wild roses are flowering along the hedgerows, and the dark yellow of the ragwort is blending in with the straw-coloured grasses now dried out from sun and water need. And the bright red of the fuchsia bells against the dark green foliage of the hedges all along the country roads. And the evenings when the scents fill the air, scents of night flowers, of grasses and trees, of the soil, delicious are the fragrances of the land as the earth cools down as the sun slowly disappears. How lovely these long and light summer evenings, stretches of brightness seen along the horizon as late as midnight – to reappear as early as four in the morning when the sky lights up again. I used to set my alarm to witness this magical moment to see the new morning appear, glad for another chance at life and anticipating a wonderful day. These are the restoring days of the year, the sun brimming with health giving vitamin D3 (well at least our bodies can avail of the sun to make it). It has been since 1976 that Ireland had a summer like this, with higher temperatures than we get here normally. And as the heat continues there is said to be a water shortage and resulting ban on using the water hose in the garden, so I’m keeping all my grey water and what is left in the rain water barrel for my vegetables. The dry earth soaks up the water eagerly.
At this moment I am very much out of routine, seems to be like this for a while now, my regular blog reading and writing has diminished. I miss it, but too much is happening and I’m getting little done. It is just that type of a summer I think – a summer of laziness, but also a summer of beauty and of enjoyment, of scents and sights.
I do hope that it is full of goodness for everyone of you too.
Love your photos! You show pure happiness. On one of my trips to England in my younger days, I checked into a little hotel and went to bed. I was to meet my traveling companion at the airport the next morning. I woke up at 10:00 and looked out the window to see light. I was so confused that I thought I had slept until 10:00 in the morning. That’s when I learned that the sun goes down much later at night in your part of the world.
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Yes it is true and I love it too. The sky does still show streaks of light at midnight and the evenings are lovely and long. I am glad that you were able to experience this too. When I travelled in India I always felt sorry that it was dark at 6.
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What a beautiful gallery, dear Agnes, that really transfers this wonderful summer feeling in photos and words. It was so nice to take part a little in your life and you look very happy. I’m a bit jealous of the ice cream right now:) Wish you a wonderful summer, kind regards Mitza
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Thank you dear Mitza, and I wish you that too, a summer full of health giving gifts from nature and plenty of lovely friends and family gatherings.
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Thank you for your good wishes, dear Agnes. I’m riding my bike 4 times a day and enjoy summer and nature. Is it a wonder the First Nations in America counted their lifes in summers? Well, I was born in the summer:)
Kind regards Mitza
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Well then I will say Happy Birthday to you dear Mitza, and enjoy your bike rides.
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😀😀🦋
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Prachtige bloemen en wat heb je de zomer mooi beschreven vol zwoelheid en geuren
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Dank u, en ja ‘zwoelheid’ is zo een goed woord Marylou, het beschrijft het mooi in het Nederlands.
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Such lush and spirit-lifting photos. Thank you.
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I love the final photo especially. I too love this weather and the long days. I wish summer were twice as long.
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Thank you Ali, Then also we all look forward to the cosy winter nights and I personally love Christmas time when it snows 🙂
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Lovely post and photos. Glad you are enjoying the sunshine.
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Thank you very much!
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prachtig!!!!!!
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Dank u wel Vivianne!
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Artistic photos and poetic writing – a lovely post, Agnes. Love the happy photos of you!
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You are so kind dear Jodie, thank you, so glad you have enjoyed.
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I’m glad you are enjoying the summer, Agnes. The flowers look lovely, in spite of the heat and lack of rain.
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Thank you Helen, by the way did you get rain since? Here not a drop since 21 of June which for the S.W. here is a long time 🙂
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We had five minutes of rain this evening, Agnes. Nowhere near enough, of course, but it’s a start 😊. I hope you get some very soon, too!
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Your writing and photography are simply marvelous… quite exceptional!!
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Thank you so much Lance, that sure is an encouragement for me, much appreciated.
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My pleasure, Agnes!
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