Joy is always on time

I’d been feeling on an even keel earlier in the week - for this relief much thanks - but yesterday the top headline in the Guardian: 

Israel accused of act of genocide over restriction of Gaza water supply

knocked me off keel so that when I saw the tiny Big Issue seller freezing in the icy wind outside ALDI with no place to shelter, I was knocked over the edge. That’s how it rolls with me. I did something to help and later I wrote to my MP about Israel. Then I turned to my current painting.

Today I have recovered my equanimity so I’ll tell you about a picnic.

Some years ago, Liz and I began the habit of having a December Christmas lunch at Hassop Station, and when Covid came, we had Christmas picnics instead.

Photo by Liz

We both loved these so much that we now do it every year.

On Wednesday the allotted day arrived, but it was rainy, with gales, and Dave said to me, before he went out, “You can’t have a picnic in this weather! Go somewhere really nice for lunch - our treat.”  This was a noble offer from a person who doesn’t like food or socialising and disdains spending money on either.

I mean…these are his Christmas supplies…

When I tried to explain that an outdoor venue was an essential component, he suggested sitting in one of the tunnels on the Trail, again missing the point of sky and trees and loveliness. (And anyway the tunnels are always windier than anywhere else.)

So…Liz and I, each sitting in our cosy beds, resolved the venue by texting…

First we went to the bench of the gammy knee adventure, just for fun, but it was even windier than in August. And colder.

So then we tried the one tucked into the hillside a bit

But it was still too windy and cold.

So this is where we ended up:

Note the deely boppers

Photo by Liz

Liz sniffing the gunpowder in the cracker (she’s an addict)

We wore Christmas headgear, and had home made cheese flan, crudities, satsumas, mince pies, crackers, mulled wine and coffee, and a lot of laughs.

Plus a lovely view

And weather

We enjoyed it so much we decided we’d have a New Year one as well. Watch this space.

Quote for the day from the poet Maggie Smith: