Scorcio! Scorcio! Scorcio!
Oh my goodness, it’s been hot! 36o on Friday (just shy of 100o F). Certainly not what we’re used to. We’ve had the hottest June day in the UK since records began and France enjoyed their hottest day ever! Typically, some woke scientists made a claim that the current heat wave would not be possible without the climate crisis. Burn, baby, burn!
Our favourite diplomat, Mr Ryan, visited during the week accompanied by his travelling companion and “friend” Olivia. Mr Ryan has visited several times in the past but this was the first time we had the pleasure of meeting Olivia – she is an absolute sweetheart. They were attending a conference in the UK and Jordan had cautiously asked whether we might be able to accommodate them for a few days. Not surprisingly, we were more than delighted to do so.
We picked them up at Oxford Station on Tuesday morning and made our way to the Ashmolean Museum to wander through an exhibition In Bloom: How Plants changed Our World which was excellent.
From Google’s AI summary of the exhibition:
The In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford traces the fascinating history of botany, tracing how everyday blooms like roses, tulips, and peonies were brought to Britain.
The exhibition kicks off with the 17th-century plant hunters, such as John Tradescant the Elder and Younger, whose early collections of seeds and curiosities formed the foundation of the Ashmolean Museum.
It features over 100 historical and contemporary works, including rare prints, Dutch-master floral paintings, drawings, and ceramics.
Explore how historical figures and botanical artists turned flora into highly profitable commodities and botanical science, while also examining the darker colonial aspects of plant exploitation.
Contemporary artists (such as Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg) bring the narrative into the 21st century by exploring biodiversity, conservation, and the environmental emergencies we face today.
It’s worth pointing out (as it’s not obvious from the photos) the sculptures of the flowers by Justine Smith are made from paper currency from a variety of countries. The photos don’t do them justice, of course, but they are fabulously detailed.
Wednesday morning we ventured out into the blazing furnace of the 30o temperatures and made our way to Broughton Grange Gardens. It’s only open on Wednesdays so we were fortunate that Jordan and Olivia’s itinerary included a Wednesday with us. The gardens are gorgeous and we enjoyed a lovely meander before the full heat of the day forced us to retreat indoors.
Thursday, alas, they had to move on. They were headed to Prague where one of Olivia’s sons lives. The drive down to Heathrow was fine and we got there in plenty of time for their afternoon flight. When we made our way into Terminal 3, however, Jordan received a message that their flight had been cancelled and they had been rebooked on to the next available flight. That flight was due to depart at about 6.00 pm so they faced about an additional five hour wait and it rather put paid to their plans for the evening in Prague. But heck, First World Problems, right?
Upon more careful reading of the message it soon became clear that they were booked on Friday’s flight. So, not a five hour wait but about a twenty-nine hour wait! Quelle merde! And no British Airways customer service personnel to be seen.
Various phones came out to see if there was an alternative flight that day with a different airline. Thankfully, there was and Jordan quickly booked a couple of seats for a flight leaving at about 5.50 pm. From Gatwick! Quelle merde, encore une fois! So, the next task was to see if they could book bus tickets from Heathrow to Gatwick. Mission accomplished and thankfully we did receive confirmation from Jordan that they had eventually arrived in Prague.
Yesterday, we went up to London with Annabelle and a friend of hers to see Beetlejuice, the Musical. This was our Christmas present to her last year and this was the show she wanted to see. More about that expedition next time. And, later today I am off to Birmingham Airport to collect my lovely sister Sallie and her husband, Rod. A summary of their visit will (hopefully) appear next time as well.
And finally, how about these two mermaids enjoying the hot weather.
And finally, finally another selection of photos of Penelope’s Garden. The hollyhocks have suddenly burst into bloom with the hot weather. They are amazing – they seem to be able to thrive anywhere! As do the poppies.
Meanwhile, keep breathing, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And, be gentle to wasps and bees – we need all the pollinators we can get. And, hold your loved ones close.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg