Suffolk Show Part 1

This is where I went last Wednesday. Although it was dry it wasn't a warm day and I was glad that I hadn't gone in shorts!

I love sitting in the grandstand to watch some of what's happening in the Grand Ring. I was a bit late leaving home so got caught in traffic through Ipswich and missed most of the 8.30 start  first Show Jumping event. But the scurry racing was fun to watch.

Then had a walk round the HUGE showground, through the military area - Monster helicopter from Wattisham

Went passed the agricultural machinery area to get round to the Food Hall and Art Show, so one token photo of giant machines!

Out of the chilly wind and into the shelter of the art exhibition marquee.

Below some  photos especially for Jill in Fraserburgh ( I wish I knew how to get better photos of art when the lights are shining on the glass).
I picked up the catalogue to see who they were by how much selling for

 Oystercatchers on the Deben - Linocut by Greta Hansen £150

Hareing Through the Undergrowth - Watercolour by Mandy Dearsley £195

And more Oystercatchers. Watercolour by Anthony Wells £225

And Long Tailed-tits. Water colour by Simon T Trinder  £295

These below  are large and amazing - but wouldn't be my choice for home. Acrylic on canvas by Georgie Baskerville  £200 - £320 each

As always I like the town or country views,  watercolours by very well known local artist Reg Siger. These had no price listed in the catalogue 

More from the Suffolk Show tomorrow

Thank you for all the comments yesterday, I do hope that post didn't come over as complaining especially to people who for one reason or another are not able to spend time with their family. I love to spend time with them now as soon they will be at school and then not about so often, but phew, it was hot,dusty and tiring!

Sue

One Exhausted Nana

Eldest Daughter + now 3 year old Jacob came to stay for a couple of days and on Saturday we met up with youngest daughter + Florence and son, DiL and Willow at.............

WOOLPIT STEAM

Saturday 1st June & Sunday 2nd June 2019

Warren Farm, Wetherden, Suffolk. IP14 3JX

Directions A14 eastbound, junction 47a (from Bury St. Edmunds) A14 westbound, junction 49 (from Ipswich)

Featuring: Steam Engines, Tractors and working demonstrations Vintage cars, motorbikes & commercial vehicles Stationary engines Vintage & modern fairground

 

Although this has been going for years it's not somewhere I would choose to go - Stationary Engines that just sit there and go putt, putt, putt don't excite me very much! But Jacob likes Tractors so of course Nanna wanted to go too!

It was a hot sunny day in a dusty field so you can imagine how filthy the two oldest were by the time we all got back to mine late afternoon! Willow wasn't so bad as she was mainly in her pushchair. 

Thankfully there was a bit more there than just putt, putt stationary engines.

Shock for the children - as I went on the Merry-go-round too

Then all back to Nannas for tea.

Suffolk Show last Wednesday, Woolpit Steam on Saturday - I'm done  walking round shows for a while thank you!

Back Tomorrow

Sue

June Country Days

June was named after either the goddess Juno or from Iuniores - meaning young people


The first of June marks the first day of Meteorological Summer but traditionally summer starts on the Solstice on the 21st June but there are Midsummer festivals on the 24th!

Here's the Wheel of the Year with the Litha or Summer segment from the book "Ceremonies of the Seasons" by Jennifer Cole. Litha was the Anglo-Saxon for the sixth and seventh months

June was such a busy time in the farming calendar that there was little time for festivals, not many special church days either so much of the folklore for June is centred around Midsummer Day. Good weather was needed for hay-making.

A calm June sets the farmer in tune

 

Below is the first June page from "Cattern Cakes and Lace" by Julia Jones. It explains that St Barnabas Day was the longest daylight day of the year before the calendar change in 1752.

Barnaby Bright

Barnaby Bright

Longest Day

  Shortest Night

In Ancient times people thought that they needed to help the sun as it increased in strength by lighting bonfires. They would jump through the flames to ensure good fortune and drive their animals through the embers once the flames had died away to protect them from evil.

 
If it rains on Midsummer Day we may expect a wet harvest

 St Johns Day is on the 24th

Before St John's Day we pray for rain, after that we get it anyway

Cut your thistles before St John,

You will have two instead of one. 

 Below are illustrations from some of the June pages in "An Illustrated Country Year" By Celia Lewis.

There will be yellow flag irises in the ditch across the track very soon.

 

And Finally

A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon.

Thank you to everyone for comments yesterday, I'll keep doing the end of month review as it's not as boring as I thought!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. I have Eldest Daughter and Jacob staying for a couple of nights so it will be little cousins getting together again I hope.

Back Monday

Sue