Wednesday 23 September 2015

Wednesday

It was our monthly Poetry meeting today in friend W's conservatory.   Friend S always calls for me and today she had her two black labs in the car - kind soul that she is, her partner was out and she didn't want to leave them at home, so they lay in the back of the car quite happily.

Today there were only seven of us but the poetry we read was so enjoyable - S read all Seamus Heaney, always a joy to listen to; we had Philip Larkin, John Betjamen, Pam Ayres and many more and then a lovely chat between poems.   It really is the most civilised afternoon and we are all so grateful for friend W's hospitality.

It is the Quarter finals of Bake Off tonight.  It is one of the few programmes to which the farmer and I are addicted (New Tricks is another) and tonight with its cream horns and creme patisserie sounds suitably complicated.  How they manage to talk to the camera at the same time as they are baking these complicated recipes I just cannot imagine.

Friends from America (Boston and Washington) are calling for coffee in the morning, so I shall have to be up with the lark.   Time now to go and empty the dishwasher.   See you tomorrow.

13 comments:

Terra said...

Your poetry meeting sounds lovely and a great idea.

Sue in Suffolk said...

I have a CD of some of John Betjemens poems turned into songs, set to music and sung by all different people - Great Fun

John Going Gently said...

I hope paul isnt voted off or tamal or nadyia

Heather said...

Your poetry afternoons always sound so interesting and enjoyable. Enjoy Bake Off - my husband is allergic to Mary Berry!! so we never watch it. How nice to catch up with friends who live so far away.

The History Anorak said...

I'm with Heather's husband on this one. No Bake Off for me, thanks!
Poetry sounds good though. Pam Ayres to Philip Larkin. What a range!

Mary said...

Wish I was coming for coffee with those friends - I've lived very near Boston and in Washington so it would be interesting conversation over a nice coffee in your lovely farmhouse.
BUT, fly I must tomorrow night to Heathrow then on to Paris so have plenty keeping me busy today.
Love the sound of poetry afternoons - wish I could find a similar venue around here.
Hugs - Mary

Elizabeth said...

Every year our book club has poetry readings for our Christmas meeting. Always enjoyable and interesting - sometimes the tears flow though when a poem touches a nerve.

sonia said...

Your day sounds lovely. I used to read poetry all the time but I suppose life got in the way. Also, I too love the bake off though over in the US we need to watch it on the computer which gets tedious. I also enjoyed the Sewing Bee version!

sonia said...

Your day sounds lovely. I used to read poetry all the time but I suppose life got in the way. Also, I too love the bake off though over in the US we need to watch it on the computer which gets tedious. I also enjoyed the Sewing Bee version!

Leilani Schuck Weatherington said...

We are able to see New Tricks via "hulu" here in the US off our computer (hooked up to a large screen TV, which is very nice) and it is one of our very favorite programs. Well written, funny, great characters. We love it!

Cro Magnon said...

Bake off was far too 'sickly sweet' for me yesterday.... all that sugar and cream; I prefer watching them bake Pork Pies or bread.

Elizabeth said...

I always envy your poetry afternoon - ought to start one here in New York!

Linda Metcalf said...

I'm loving the Bake Off...although I have to watch it on Youtube the following day. It's great to see what everyday bakers come up with! The poetry reading sounds wonderful...wish we had one here.