It is a cliche that the thing the Brits find most comfortable talking about is the weather. And yet, more times than I care to mention I find myself starting these missives talking writing about the weather. Living on a small island where the weather comes from all directions and is rarely predictable means we are all slightly obsessed with it. I regularly imagine what it must be like to live in a country where summer means summer: alfresco and sandals from May to September. Unfortunately on an island surrounded by the Atlantic ocean, the North Sea, the English channel and The Irish sea this is absolutely not guaranteed. In the process of writing this I have scurried from the table in my garden into my kitchen and then back out to the garden all in the space of less than an hour. Partly in my desperation to be outside whenever possible but also in submission to the wind which sweeps clouds across the sun making it disappointingly chilly. Minutes later the clouds disperse and I’m reaching for the fator 30. Summer in the UK is never predictable.
Apart from the weather, with a surprise general election on the horizon, the subject of politics and politicians is also filling many conversations this month. Least said about that merry go round, the better, I feel. Although perhaps the outcome here is more predictable.
Recent weeks have been good to me. It is often said that the Summer season in London really begins with The Chelsea Flower Show. Despite the eye wateringly expensive tickets, every couple of years I try and go and I never regret it. This year was fabulous. We went on a warm Friday evening when the main crowds were leaving for the day and we could wander around the show gardens unhindered. It amazes me every time how established and natural these gardens look. Testament to the skill of the garden designers and their ability to create beauty. The slight drawback with these visits is the resulting sinking feeling when coming back to our own much loved but haphazard garden. I am not the main gardener in this household but each year I resolve to learn more about what to plant where and how to get ‘flow’ in the garden, so that I might pass on my knowledge to the main gardener. I am yet to achieve this successfully!
Thinking about ‘flow’ has reminded me of the 7am outdoor yoga class I joined at the beginning of May. I love the early mornings and early morning exercise is mostly my favourite kind. This class takes place on a croquet lawn in a park close to my house. So far we have not (miraculously) been rained off and I always look forward to starting a working day in this way. There is something special about practicing yoga with the sun on your face and birdsong as the background music.
I finished the month of May with a short trip to The Hay Literary Festival. I am fortunate enough to have a friend who lives in Hay so was able to stay with her and really make the most of the festival over the two days I was there. I went with mixed emotions. The last time I went was a few years ago with my Mum and we always talked of it as one of the favourite trips we took together. As booklovers, to be surrounded by books, book shops and talks about books was blissful and we both came back with armfuls of books. Her death has meant many losses and there are so many things I miss about her, but our shared love of books and reading is one of the greatest. I thought of her often as I sat and listened to authors talks and perused the shelves of second hand book stores.
My two festival highlights were Rose Tremain and Lemn Sissay. Rose was interviewed about her latest novel Absolutely and Forever. A story set in the 1950’s which explores the consequences of a desperate first love. She was generous in her conversation about her writing process peppered with many stories from her life. As a creative writing lecturer she advocates writing about what you don’t know, rather than what you do know. Doing this she said gives you so many research opportunities and allows the imagination absolute freedom. I like this idea.
Lemn Sissay was an absolute joy, dressed head to toe in yellow and exuding warmth and enthusiasm. He held the packed marquee in the palm of his hand as he spoke about poetry, and read poems from his collection Let the Light Pour In. This collection is all of the best poems (his words) from the four line verses he has been writing and posting on social media for some years now. I bought the book and have been dipping in regularly as it sits on the desk where I write.
He led the audience in a chorus of this beautiful poem which we sang repeatedly and more rousingly until he brought us to a close. I was so moved by this as was the lady beside me, who sang with tears unashamedly falling on to her lap. The power of words.
‘How do you do it? said the night
‘How do you wake up and shine?’
“I keep it simple’ said the light
‘One day at a time’
- Lemn Sissay
Writing
I like to give a little round up here of my writing each month. A highlight was a conversation I had with my writerly friend Corinne Cunningham. Corinne has just published her second book (more of that below) and she generously shared her experience, and wisdom to help me continue to work my way through the editing process of my own book. Her insights helped move me forward a little more this month. The process is taking me much longer than I would have hoped, but I have to acknowledge I am doing this around a job and other commitments and I don’t always have the time I would hope to have to work on it. As long as I continue to move forward I have decided that is enough.
I have published a few more posts here on substack, and in snatched moments have scribbled drafts for a quite a few more. This is a lovely place to share my words.
New Books
Paths Through The Year by Corinne Cunningham
As mentioned above Corinne Cunningham has just published her second book. Paths Through The Year. Corinne live in Maine in the US and her book is a year long exploration into place, creativity and self, explored through a seasonal lens of introspection
It is beautifully written and documents with gentleness and honesty seasons of joy, sorrow and challenges on on her multi generational homestead in the woods. The illustrations and cover designs are by her children and adds a lovely collaborative feel to this book in keeping with the family bonds which weave their way through her reflections.
I was fortunate enough to follow Corinne on her writing journey as she brought this book into the world and I am thrilled to now have my own copy.
Do buy a copy if you can.
The House in The Hedge by Melanie Leavy
I met Mel through the Confident Creative Club, a group for unconfident creatives run by Helen Redfern who also has a substack. I was in awe of Mel from the start; her prolific ability to write books, her clever way with words and her insight into the difficulties of the writing life.
Mel has just published her 4th novel. In Mel’s words, “The House in the Hedge is a story of hope, wonder and the magic of ordinary things. Your new favourite comfort read, it’s a cozy slice-of-life in an English village where houses have souls and everything seems easier with a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit”.
Mel’s writing has a hint of magic and I can’t wait to dive into this whilst in the wilds of Scotland later this month.
Again, do buy a copy if you can.
Mel also writes regularly on substack.
Summer London Things
There is an embarrassment of cultural riches on offer in London during the summer months and it can be hard not to feel overwhelmed by choice. Time and budget allowing these are things which are particularly taking my fancy!
Women Artists in Britain at Tate Britain 1520-1920 is a look at the women who forged a way to become professional artists. The exhibition sheds light on how these artists championed equal access to art training and academy membership, breaking boundaries and overcoming many obstacles to establish what it meant to be a woman in the art world.
Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Following recent travels in Japan I am drawn to anything with Japan in the title and this exhibition just happens to be at one of the loveliest small galleries in London.
Fragile Beauty a collection of Photographs from the collection of Sir Elton John and David Furnish at The Victoria and Albert Museum. This exhibition has some great reviews and I shall be visiting this one with my husband.
The Conversation at St Martins in the Fields is a new series, with writers interviewed about big issues facing the world, followed by the chance to continue The Conversation in St Martin’s Crypt Bar afterwards. I went to a previous conversation and discussion here around end of life care which was fascinating.
I hadn’t realised this was going to be quite such a bumper edition when I began. It has reminded me of the Summer Specials my mum used to buy me and my brother when we went on holidays as children. Bumper editions of our favourite comics, always looked forward to and always enjoyed. So if you have got this far thank you! I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you might even look forward to the next one!
I'm so glad our conversation helped! It was so lovely talking with you about all the writing things. You can do it! Slow and steady is not a bad thing ;) And thank you for that thoughtful write up of Paths, I appreciate it so very much!
I just wanted to say how much I value your suggestions of things to do and see in London. I live in the US but my son lives in London so I visit several times a year. I keep a running list of your recommendations and they form the backbone of my plans for each visit. Thanks so much!