Walking, Gardening, Reading and Hamnet

 

Nell and I have enjoyed longer walks these last two days; the weather has been fine, dry and warm, and so the muck on the canal paths has dried significantly and that has been a good thing. Today, I spotted some hawthorn blossom emerging in the hedgerows, and some celandine in the grass, and on both days I’ve heard a skylark singing. I had to stop yesterday because I didn’t quite believe what I was hearing, but yes - definitely a sky lark. Wonderful! 

And so, thanks to this upturn in the weather, I am back out into the garden, tidying the flower borders of their Winter debris, weeding the raised beds in preparation for the herbs I am planning to fill them with this year and generally looking around and letting ideas of a horticultural bent waft in and around my mind. I didn’t realise how the lack of proper gardening over Winter affected me until I began pulling up weeds and the smell of fresh damp earth reached my nostrils. It was truly glorious and I was surprised how much the scent lifted my spirits. I feel inspired to give the greenhouse a good clean now, and to visit a garden centre to buy seed compost and a few early flowering plants for the pots in the courtyard. 

I have attained my reading goal this month to get through the five big novels that make up the Cazalet Family saga! And I’ve read another novel on top of that. The reading bounty has been possible because of the lack of anything worthwhile to watch on TV save for ‘Small Prophets’ which was excellent, and ‘The Walsh Sisters’ which I tried NOT to be sucked into watching but it turned into the sort of car crash TV you can’t help but goggle at. Do people like that REALLY exist, I thought. And if they do, how can they live with themselves? 

Yesterday evening, I went to see ‘Hamnet’ at the festival centre in town. I’m not sure how I feel about it really. I’m glad I read the book first. The child actors who played the twins, Hamnet and Judith, were outstanding. The cinematography was excellent, the symbolism deep and thought-provoking. I didn’t like Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare because he seemed too old and emotionally dense - and not in a good way. Despite all the reviews telling audiences to go armed with tissues, I didn’t once feel like crying, but then my hormone supply dried up ages ago and I am now mostly a cynical old witch. I think I’d describe the film as a visceral exploration of human instinct and loss, and what happens when you realise you have no control of your life. 

More gardening tomorrow. Get those herb seeds ordered.