Tamesis in July:
Andrew organised a creative woodworking day in his shed. As everyone knows, a man’s shed is his private space. So we were very privileged to be allowed in and share the peace of Andrew’s back garden.
The weather was mostly clement, and the tea - made by Andrew’s wife Juliette - flowed copiously. Greg, Liz and I worked away on our various projects under patient direction of Andrew. Greg made a finishing piece to cap his antler headed staff, Liz started on a staff all her own, and I started my long term ‘ogham in the proper wood’ project.
We also went for a walk along the river that flows behind Andrew’s house. First we greeted a mighty oak, and then had meetings with herons and other wild creatures, not least the river itself.
I remember the warm welcome we received and the delicious food Juliette laid on for us. I also remember Elinore telling us the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and Charlotte coming home with lovely new shoes.
Tamesis at Lughnasadh:
Lughnasadh is a time of high summer and hot sunshine, right? Wrong. This August was pretty wet and miserable, and our ceremony day was no different. It rained on us non stop. Still, Liz led us in a beautiful ceremony of thanksgiving and offerings, crowned by ‘John Barleycorn’ sung and played by Andrew.
What will abide in my memory is the picnic that followed, though. Greg got his ground sheet out of his pack (it’s the Tardis in there, I tell you - next time we should just have the ceremony inside Greg’s pack) and we had a picnic. In the rain. In Alexandra palace park. It was cold, it was wet, and the food was just lovely. The friendship kept us warm.
What other group of people can you have a picnic in the rain with? We are unique.
Tamesis in August:
Liz, Cilla and I drove to Steffi’s house near Reading for her talk on the Native American traditions she has been working with for many years now. We had a wonderful and very informative afternoon.
Steffi knows her stuff. She told us the tale of her journey into the dancing and singing traditions of the Native American people. Along the way, we learned about the history of the Powwow and the people who organise these gatherings. We heard about how Steffi travelled to America and was a guest at a Powwow there. Her story was so fascinating we hardly noticed the time go by.
We shared home-made apple pie and tea, and listened. When it was time to go home, Steffi felt she hadn’t done her subject justice yet. And we were definitely hungry for more. So we were promised there will be a second part to this informative talk. Can’t wait!
With thanks to Andrew, Liz and Steffi for organising these events, and to everyone who was there for making them what they were.
