The still heady smell of elderflower | Forum

Littlestone Jun 8, 2006 21:41:13

Replying to jacksprat

A little something I wrote last year, just prior to the summer solstice and on the first anniversary of my mum's death. Seems appropriate again now as some of us take off for the magic of Callanish, go to our own quiet place, or just decide to stay at home :-)

<i>Coming up to midnight, Friday, 2005. Car loaded, water and a sandwich in the fridge for the journey down tomorrow. Leaving Essex a little after 4am. Lock the doors, climb into the cockpit, first stop mum and dad at the back of Pewsey churchyard - safe now in their circle and mine. Fresh flowers and a solstice smile to them and all that went before. Then gently into the Vale of Pewsey. Windows down. Wind blowing a year's worries away. Skylarks and the still heady smell of elderflower. And before the people gather there, a quite stroll around my favourite Avebury stones and secret bank - still mist-surrounded and expectant.</i>

We really do not live to see that many summers - certainly not that many to waste upon tiredness and misunderstanding. So, for what it's worth, I hope you enjoy what looks to be a lovely and very special weekend.

Happy travelling.

Littlestone

suave harv Jun 8, 2006 21:55:37

Replying to Littlestone

Wow! That caught me off-guard.
That's fantastic Littlestone.
Yea, I'm glad you posted that. I've pasted it and sent it to a friend, hope you don't mind.

Thanks so much. I've seen the Avebury mist too;-)

moss Jun 9, 2006 07:12:50

Replying to Littlestone

Also, elderflower can be made into "champagne" at this time of year;-
take a handful (about 10), lb sugar, lemon or two, dash of cider vinegar, gallon of water - sugar to be melted in some boiling water, combine and leave for 24 hours, sieve and bottle, tops have to be strong - it gets explosive after a couple of weeks.

nigelswift Jun 9, 2006 08:33:00

Replying to Littlestone

Littlestone, kindly put that on Megalithic Poems.
Thanks.

follow that cow Jun 9, 2006 10:09:45

Replying to Littlestone

A beautiful piece of writing LS. Since first reading this last year I have used your phrase

'We really do not live to see that many summers - certainly not that many to waste upon tiredness and misunderstanding'

..many times in conversation, always giving due credit of course ;-) ... and as each summer passes it's meaning becomes more poignant.

Pity your not going to Callanish ...... moon skims are many but moments very few.

:-)

Callanish Crowd — Enjoy!