SUMMER

The post brought some pictures of how the perfect English summer should be; a catalogue of British pictures from the Maas Gallery, which features one of my favourite watercolourists, Dorothy Webster Hawksley.

I have a small print of one of her paintings in a bedroom. I love her use of sharp, clear lemon yellow.

We had a private view invitation

with the most perfect representation of a summer evening, Dave Inshaw's painting, on loan from the Tate Gallery, where postcards of this image are the most popular purchase.

(1943 was a very good year!)

The day was just as beautiful as the paintings and when friends came round we sat outside under the shade of the walnut tree. John looked as though he had just walked out of an Impressionist painting!

In the afternoon we did nothing more than loll about in the garden enjoying the glorious weather.

I would have liked to clear up the very messy pond, but every time I put my net into the water I fished up tiny, wriggling newts. They obviously thrive on a bit of murk and debris, so I'm leaving well alone.

I LOVE SUMMER!