Monday 9 July 2012

positively magnificent

The British weather this summer has not been good. There has been a lot of rain, so much that the hose pipe ban has been lifted. This passage from a birthday book made me smile.

"Have you observed," began Evelyn with a giggle, "that Mrs. Thatcham's one criterion of a beautiful day is whether or not it is possible to see across as far as the Malton Downs? 'Can you, or can you not, see across to the Malton Downs?' -that is the only question. For the farther you can see, - why, the more beautiful the day! And not the day only, either, for the beauties of the landscape, and the countryside also, hinge entirely on the answer to that question."
Evelyn sniggered, and continued, warming to her subject: "Thus, if it is possible for Mrs. Thatcham to see two counties at once from the top of the hill, then the view from there is a fine one, -the country exceedingly lovely. If three counties are visible at the same time, it is then more lovely than ever, - the country-side positively magnificent, and so on and so forth." Julia Strachey Cheerful Weather for the Wedding
view

What are your criteria for a beautiful day?

8 comments:

  1. Loved ones, family, friends...

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    1. Lilac - Yes indeed the people make the day beautiful. Maybe it says a lot about Mrs. Thatcham that people aren't part of her beautiful day?

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  2. Thank you for the link to this book. I went back and read about it and find it is one that is just up my street!

    Good day for me is lots of rain, then everything is green! live in the tropics so rain is always welcome.

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    1. Mystics - Oh good I'm glad you found a new book, hope you enjoy it. I'll try & send some of our rain your way.

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  3. Love that quote! I have the book but haven't read it. This quote has inspired me to read it. Good weather for me is when the sun is shining. Here in Los Angeles, we are having some good weather right now. June gloom seems to be over!

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    1. Sunday - I was given it as a gift but the title has always appealed to me. It's a lovely short read. Could we have some of your sun please?

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  4. A beautiful day for me is when the temperature is under 100 degrees F and there is a slight breeze. I will have to wait 'til October or November to see those conditions again... so I try to be grateful for the bright sunshine and lovely sunlight.

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    1. Anbolyn - I find it fascinating with blogging reading about our different climates over all the countries we span. Your comment has made me reflect on the joys of being cool. Hope you have moments of breeze.

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Ooh how lovely more stripes on the page...
Thank you for taking the time.