I was listening to Add to Playlist on BBC Radio 4, the new series started with ‘Summer in the City’ by the Lovin’ Spoonful. It was the most appropriate song for the sweltering weather we’ve experienced here in London. (The programme is a super listen, I frequently discover music that is new to me, you can find the programme on the BBC Sounds app).
May was busy, full of excitement and joy. My eldest grandson celebrated his 4th birthday, his little brother his 2nd birthday, they are now joined by a baby cousin who is less than a week old.
We plan to take Champagne and Chocolate Cake to the new family once they were settled at home. (My parents started this family tradition when my younger son was born, it was such a fun way to welcome the baby into the family.)
Here’s my wrist tag, from my visit to the hospital ward earlier in the week. It’s so good to see that the baby and his parents are so well looked after.
I’m cooking from the three new recipe books I bought last month, it’s lovely to discover new flavour combinations. I was looking for something to watch on Disney+ (after the high drama and fun of Rivals!) and discovered Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations. It is a four episode series, where she cooks some of the recipes from her book Sunshine, Lemons and Sea Salt, with bonus recipes and some fabulous table settings. I am now determined to up my ‘tablescaping’ game.
How on earth did we sit exams in this heat? For me it was O’Levels, A Levels and yearly exams at University. I was thankful that for my PGCE, assessment was by essay and examiners visiting the schools to observe my teaching practice. I feel so very sorry for those people sitting examinations at the moment. Along with the government considering installing air conditioning in schools, I wonder if it’s time to look at the school year, and move exams to the winter?
Ham Fair is on 13th June, it is a lovely local ‘village’ occasion. I saw on Instagram the other day, a new prize for the dog show. Lady Annabel Goldsmith was often a judge, and awarded prizes, it’s lovely that her family want to remember her in this way.
I have jars of marmalade and bottles of Elderflower Cordial to donate to my parish stall (St Thomas Aquinas, Ham Common) . If you are visiting, pop along to say hello and buy some delicious homemade produce.
My ´middlebrow novels’ reading progresses. I read two novels by Barbara Pym this month: Excellent Women (my choice) and A Few Green Leaves (for my bookclub) They were both wonderful, I’d forgotten how much I enjoy her writing. I now intend to re-read her novels, starting with the ones I already have. I remember my mother loved them, I seem to be reading more and more novels that she enjoyed. The first three photographed are American editions, the only copies I could find at the time in 2008. She had really fallen out of favour her in the UK, in the early 2000s, I’m very glad there is a resurgence in reading Pym.
There are two super Substack posts about Barbara Pym which I have read recently: Eva Baker at Gathering Bones In Praise of the Middlebrow Novel and Anne Kennedy Smith at Cambridge Ladies’ Dining Society wrote The fascinating Miss Pym (4 May 2024).
I’m glad to say that Virago have published more of her books, there are several, new to me, books which I am looking forward to reading.
My darling dog, an elderly, retired from racing, greyhound, has found the heat difficult. I have put a desk fan in her room (aka the spare room!) Occasionally , a room with an elderly dog sleeping in it can have scent challenges, I have a solution. When I wash her duvet (and cover) I spritz the bed and bedding with perfume. Those little samples one gets, when one is buying makeup, are absolutely ideal. Her room now smells heavenly.
For various reasons we were unable to go to France at Easter, I am really looking forward to returning to Brittany in mid-June. Once our daughter is on her way to the summer camp, in Maine, where she is working this summer, we can head off to Brittany.
I am looking forward to walks on the Beach, to delicious seafood and ultra fresh, locally grown vegetables. There should be plenty of time to read, and maybe I’ll buy some Apricots to make jam and compote.
Have a lovely June, keep cool and take time to rest.
Judith x
Your monthly updates are always a treat Jude - many congratulations on your new addition!
What beautiful editions of Barbara Pym's books. I've never read her before, but I've been meaning to for years. This may just be the push I needed, so thank you!