June at No.fifty6 – wild winds, heatwaves, peace remembered and many a story
Posted on 30th June 2019 by Julie and David Thomson in General News.
When it is peace, then we may view again
With new won eyes each other's truer form
And wonder. Grown more loving kind and warm
We'll grasp firm hands and laugh at the old pain,
When it is peace. But until peace, the storm,
The darkness and the thunder and the rain.
Charles Hamilton Sorley 1895-1915
The weather has thrown everything at us this month, majestic electrical storms, wild winds, downpours of rain and then the second half of the month – unbroken sunshine and we end the month with a heatwave and record June temperatures. A gentle breeze this week has kept us sane while the rest of France is really suffering but it is too hot to be out for long unshaded.
This month guests have come with their stories to tell, pilgrimages to be made, and we have commemorated the Centenary of the Peace Treaty.
The extract from the poem above – Soldier and War Poet Sorley was killed at the Battle of Loos but his words ring true today as peace is more important than ever.
As you receive this month’s newsletter, ceremonies will be taking place across The Somme to mark the 103rd anniversary of the start of The Battle of The Somme.
