This weekend saw the annual Watermill Fete. Straight out of a history of England, or Enid Blyton, the sun beating down and the atmosphere genteel, we had a lovely afternoon there. For your entertainment there were coconut shies, rubber duckie races on the river, bric-a brac, pimms to quench the thirst, lovely ladies in big hats........
The river mosaic stepping stones in the garden and quote from WB Yeats.
Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
published in the collection "The Wind Among the Reeds" and quoted in the movie "Equilibrium" (2002)
-William Butler Yeats, the Cloths of Heaven, 1899
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
published in the collection "The Wind Among the Reeds" and quoted in the movie "Equilibrium" (2002)
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"Reaching for dizzy heights of stardom"
The rustic spiral staircase in the renovated auditorium
Local folk
coconuts!
Not far from the madding crowd.
Wonderfully colourful "paint your own" venetian mask stall.
The delightful Geraldine McCaughrean, popular amongst English teachers and young readers was (quietly and unobtrusively ) in attendance. Having been one of both categories at some time in my life, I am a fan of hers !
Mrs McCaughrean seemed one of the most genuine and kindest of authors. She was happy to take time to talk to us, generously posed for a photo with wriggly baby, and her most unpretentious and delightful daughter, chatted and entertained baby whilst we waited our turn. How lovely to meet a friendly, and approachable "celebrity" , who seemed to be really interested in children and not just in making money.
Her book "Peter Pan In Scarlet " is the official sequel to Peter pan and all profits go to Great Ormond Street Hospital. I haven't read it yet, but plan to commence as soon as the current book is finished. If it is as good as her other work it will be a treat. It has rave reviews on Amazon.
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