Summer? Only if the weather improves here in East Anglia soon!
But as it's June 1st I'd better put Spring in the cupboard and get Summer out.
Summer is very sparse on the top of the bookshelves as I forgot about the flower jugs until I looked at last summer's blog posts.
Another beautiful Summer illustration from the book "A Sparrow's Life's as Sweet as Ours." by Carrie Ackroyd.
These are Skylarks - not seen so much now I'm in a village but at Clay Cottage they were always singing above the neighbouring field when I walked across the footpath.
In 2018 there were about a million pairs in this country but at one time there were 10 million Skylark pairs - enough to eat - as they were a delicacy until they became a protected species in 1931. In the late 1800's up to 40,000 birds were delivered by railway to London markets every day. If prices fell then the males would be kept as caged songbirds.
Thank goodness that doesn't happen now.
Thanks to everyone for comments yesterday and apologies for not replying- I was out all day at the Suffolk Show - photos next week.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
It doesn't feel much like summer, does it. Not round here.
ReplyDeleteAs always, loving your seasonal display.
xx
There was an hour of sun this afternoon - such a surprise!
DeleteWe are awash with Skylarks here, chalk downland and fields, they sing continuously although difficult to see. Cold in Dorset in the mornings, warmer pm but wretched wind all the time. Sandra
ReplyDeleteIt's the NE wind that's really bringing down temperatures here - horrible
DeleteHappy First {meteorological} Day of Summer, Sue!
ReplyDeletePerhaps by the time we get to real summer, things will have warmed up here
DeleteSkylarks are now increasing (up by 20% recently which is good news). We see and hear them frequently around here. Did you know that Vaughan Williams was inspired to compose “The Lark Ascending” while sitting on Effingham Common amongst the skylarks during one of his Surrey perambulations to collect folk songs. It has been gorgeous weather here, low 20s, wispy clouds and a gentle breeze - perfect for getting on with things so I have been overdoing it in the garden! My bike has been in for various repairs to brakes and gears and is now mended so daily cycling along the lanes now scented with meadowsweet and along the bridleways wreathed in wild roses is back and I had my first sea swim of the year down at Goring early on Sunday morning. It was, in the words of the young women I swam with, absolutely lush! Also, happy to see you tried and enjoyed Baron Bigod. Had no idea it was pronounced By God so thank you for that. Wishing everyone a lovely June. Sarah in Sussex
ReplyDeleteThere was lots about Skylark poetry on the opposite page to the illustration - but I didn't have time to sort it out for posting.
DeleteSunday was the only day we had warmth here - but still too cold to swim
Sorry to say this, but West Wales has been drowning in sunshine for what feels like weeks! Keeping things watered is already a big task. If could send it your way for a while, I would.
ReplyDeleteYou are very lucky to see the sun - enjoy it
DeleteI love your display and remember the Ladybird book very well. It's dull, cold and windy in Berkshire but may warm up later.
ReplyDeleteI've got all 4 of these Ladybird books but have never thought about including them in the display until now
DeleteAh well, you have summer on your shelves for the time being. it won't be too long before you have glorious warm sunshine again, I bet.
ReplyDeleteI'm hopeful - without sun the veg crop is going to be poor
DeleteIf the sun was as warm as it looks as though it should be, I might be a bit happier. We've not had any rain for weeks now, but there is always quite a chill in the air. I've not got room on my shelf for a Summer display ... someone seems to have put quite a few books there!!
ReplyDeleteI am not one for collector plates but I do love those. We are going to be 91F today very hot! but rain coming in Friday and over the weekend. We need the rain.
ReplyDeleteCathy
I would never have thought about getting the plates until I saw them at a car boot. Not sure how long I shall keep them
DeleteIt doesn't feel very warm here but there's endless sunshine. Happy summer!
ReplyDeleteYou are very lucky to have sun, the grey skies here are a bit depressing
DeleteThose illustrations never fail to make me smile
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
It's such a lovely book - I'm glad I found it.
DeleteThe year seems to be zooming by! We have lots of summer weather here - a little too hot for me already so I have had to crank up the air conditioner! Ugh!
ReplyDeleteHappy summer to you, Sue!
Plenty of air conditioning outside here at the moment!
DeleteI hope June brings you some sunshine and warmth. By noon, it is to be 80 degrees F today in Massachusetts. Rain is predicted for the weekend and we need some moisture. Your June display is lovely. The Skylark is a handsome bird. Thank goodness they have survived.
ReplyDeleteHere we haven't got up to 60F very often yet
ReplyDeleteWe have been plagued by intermittent East winds for quite some time. x
ReplyDeleteSummer has arrived here on the prairies of Canada. In fact we are actually getting July temperatures now. Heaven help us come July.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Lovely bookshelf decor.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is holding off until August when I come to visit - ha ha! It's hot here. Too hot. 32C. It's unusual for May, though the weather this year has been all ups and downs.
Even the name Skylark is poetic and the illustration is pretty.
ReplyDelete