Today being Father’s Day in the UK, R and I started the day with a special breakfast of fresh pastries, while he opened his cards and a present from the Offspring. L also sent us a lovely film she’d made for G, of the grandsons answering questions she put to them about their Daddy. Given that the Boy Wonder is funny, and the Brother is both funny and slightly mad, this was so charming it had us in stitches, and we felt the need to rewatch it roughly once an hour throughout the day. From now on, the family answer to any difficult or unwelcome question either of is ever asked will simply be “Red”.
There’s a heatwave forecast for the coming week, but it was still quite balmy this morning, and R decided that he’d like us to go for a walk at Croome, which has been one of our special places for many years. When L called home for a Father’s Day chat and R explained that this was what we were about to do, the Boy could be heard in the background, yelling, “I want to go to Croome!” Which was strange, because he’s spent the past few months explaining to us that he very much didn’t want to go to Croome. L explained that it was too far to Croome from their house, so they wouldn’t be able to go today, and he replied, “Well, I am. I’m going to Croome right now.” Hmmm. Now, who does that remind me of…?
We had a nice time at Croome, where there were scores of dragons and damsels congregating around the lake. This was one of two Broad-bodied Chasers who were holding separate territories at the edge of the water, but while they were managing not to annoy each other, both of them kept having to see off the numerous male Black-tailed Skimmers who were zooming about the place. Having stood and watched this one for quite some time, I found it interesting that his demeanour was much calmer than that of the Skimmers. He’d go after them if he felt he had to, but only for as long as it took to clear them back behind the borders he’d set, at which point he’d either resume his own patrol or perch up and rest. When they chased him he would essentially hold his own course and simply shake them off, while they swirled around him (and each other) erratically and almost histrionically. Skimmers also like to perch, but they seem to be on a hair trigger, and anything that moves within their sight line will cause them to leap into action, which makes them a little tiring.
As evening fell I suddenly remembered with a jolt that today is the solstice, and I’ve had to work quite hard this evening not to keep thinking about the fact that from here on the days are getting shorter. And… breathe….
R: L2, C10, D31.
