High Summer and "Noon"

Rural voices all are mute,

Tuneless lie the pipe and flute:

Shepherds, with their panting sheep,

In the swaliest corner creep;

And from the tormenting heat

All are wishing to retreat,

Huddled up in grass and flowers,

Mowers wait for cooler hours;

And the cow-boy seeks the sedge,

Ramping in the woodland hedge,

While his cattle o're the vales

Scamper with uplifted tales

Therefore leave the shadeless goss,

Seek the springhead lined with moss...

Twill hot noon the more revive;

While I wander to contrive

For myself a place as good,

In the middle of a wood:

From "NOON" by John Clare 1793-1864.

Front gate

A scorching week in the 30C plus temps.

Dinnerset "Audun" by Villeroy & Boch