Life Lately: A Midsummer’s Evening, Gazpacho & Late-June Roses

IT’S STRAWBERRY SEASON and Wimbledon, which can only mean one thing: strawberries and cream. Have you been watching the tennis? Also, Summer Solstice was just a couple of weeks ago and we said a bittersweet good-bye to the longest day of the year. Here is a little of our lately: homemade gazpacho and June rose; pints on a sunny pub terrace and wildflower meadows; friendly llamas and gin and tonics and so much more…

We only lived in sunny Spain for just under four years, but since we’ve been back in the UK, P has already mastered paella, the tortilla española, and now, gazpacho! His is so delicious, it tastes identical to what we had when we were in Valencia.

Our countryside village has these charming events and one of them, which happens every year, is a Midsummer’s Evening and this year, it was held last Thursday, one day after the Summer Solstice. There were food trucks and folk dancers and face-painting. All the shops were opened late and there was live music (a cover band act). There were also alpacas, four of them, huddled together in a pen, curiously wary of all the commotion. We got gin and tonics and roamed about in the market square and ordered a stone ground pizza from one of the trucks. I stayed close to the alpacas because they were so funny-looking and fluffy and sweet. Do you want to pet him? The alpaca farmer asked me. He had been asking all the small children in their mother’s arms the same thing and the alpacas were wholly indifferent to all of them. Of course!, I said. And I proceeded to gently pet the alpaca who seemed to like it and then, all of a sudden, it turned its face directly into mine and nuzzled my nose! Everyone gave a collective gasp at this sudden show of interest and affection. Yes, I just always seem to have a way with animals. Just call me the alpaca whisperer.

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This time of year is my absolute favourite in the English countryside⏤there are roses everywhere. There is nothing more charming than English roses growing along old stone cottages and white painted arches, framing windows and doors and filling the air with their wonderful fragrance…

Pints in the sun on pub terraces on a warm summer’s day⏤does it even get better than this?

On a cloudy island, sunny summer days are what it’s all about. When we lived in Spain, there was no urgency when it came to sunshine⏤there was always tomorrow. Here in England, the moment the sun peeks out, it’s required to drop everything and get outside and enjoy it while you can, for it may change without a moment’s notice and be overcast or rainy again.

In June had told you about our repainting the living the most fabulously chic pinkish colour called Jonquil. We absolutely love and it’s a shame that now we’re planning on moving away in a few months’ time. I’ve decided that I will paint the new place the very same colour⏤that’s how much I love it, and the experience using this natural, eco-friendly paint.