Wednesday 4 July 2018

Last Night and Last Weekend

If you know me only a little bit through my blog, you know at least one thing: I am not a big follower of sports events. In fact, I hardly ever watch any sports on TV - with one exception: A match here and there during football world championships such as the one currently underway. The only matches I watch (and definitely not each and every one of them) are when Germany or England play. Since Germany are out (and fully deserved it, too), I am cheering for England. Last Wednesday, watching the match was disappointing and boring. Last night, it was a different story - anything but boring! I watched together with my sister at her place:


Early on in the match, we became fed up with the goings-on: fouls left, right and center, each followed by endless "discussions" between players and the referree. Speaking of the latter, he seemed unable to establish the authority his role commands; the "boys" seemed to be doing as they pleased, like a very rumbunctious crowd of rowdy school boys at play time when they know exactly that the only teacher watching them is the one who never really carries out any punishment.

Anyway, the match went on, and finally, we had a goal. Then the other team scored, and with no more goals during the 2 x 15 minutes (I was so ready to go home and to bed, it was well past 10:00 pm by then), what we dreaded happened: Penalty shootout! Oh our nerves... I am not kidding you when I tell you that my sister had to leave the room when it was England's turn to make the decisive strike. Well, we all know how it ended, and I was finally on my way home and in bed about half an hour later.

Phew!

Now for the weekend, which was one of the most beautiful summer weekends we have had so far this year: Really warm (around 30 Celsius), but not muggy or humid, just clear blue skies. I was at O.K.'s and we had a family BBQ on his parents' allotment, with all delicious food and drink, and of course each other's company, to enjoy.

The evening light was beautiful, and shortly before 8:00 pm, I went for a little walk "around the block" (actually, around the patch of woods near the allotment, and back through vineyards and orchards). It is the same route O.K. and I often use for our Sunday morning runs, but this time, I was not running. Instead, I was taking photos:





Back at the allotment, we were sitting there for another half hour or so, watching the sunset. At some point, those of us with mobile phones got up to take pictures of the sunset. Mine are like a time line, taken within minutes of each other until it became too dark:







We packed up and went home, sated with good food and beautiful views. 

As we were standing there, admiring the sunset, it occurred to me how nice it is to know that nearly everyone appreciates those colours and the special light of a sunset; no matter how many we have seen in our lives, we can not seem to get enough of them. This is something we as humans have all in common. A comforting thought to return to when I despair of my fellow humans and their inexplicably mean actions.

18 comments:

  1. Lovely dscription of a peaceful evening and a feeling of community with others. OK sounds such a nice person.
    I havent been watching the football though i might enjoy it if I did. I hardly ever feel in the mood to watch TV of any kind, there always seems to be so much other stuff to do.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed this post, Jenny. I can confirm that O.K. does not only sound a nice person, he IS!

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  2. Really a beautiful weekend that you had. And in great company. I am thinking now of how my husband used to walk down to our dock every evening to watch the sunset over Lake Chautauqua. You are right. Most people do appreciate the beauty of our natural world. But I think when I was growing up more children had more immersion in that beauty.

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    1. When I was a kid, my room was facing west and for years, my bed was underneath the window. I often knelt on my bed, arms on the windowsill, and watched the sunset.
      A nice memory of your husband!

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  3. This made very pleasant reading and leaves me with food for thought.

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    1. Then this post has fulfilled its purpose, Pat.

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  4. What lovely photos, Meike. And you are so right about sunsets!

    I like the sound of O.K.'s family and how they enjoy spending time together. You are lucky to be in their inner circle!

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    1. I am indeed lucky - I have not just one, but THREE great families! Two in Germany and one in England.

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  5. You are absolutely correct, Meike, about sunsets. I get spectacular sunsets (which this time of year are at about 2230 (it never gets completely dark on a clear night) which I always see when I'm here. However sunrise is at 0430 tomorrow so I'll not be watching it - again!

    By the way I really loved the flower picture. Wild meadows are always wonderful.

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    1. The "wild meadow" is actually part of an allotment - one I particularly like and look at every time we walk that way.
      Speaking of sunrise, I happened to catch this morning's sunrise because I was woken up at 4:40 by the noise two hedgehogs made in the garden underneath my wide open bedroom window! Whether it was for love or war, I don't know, but it was noisy!

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  6. I LOVE the sunset photos, timed just so that we are able to view it with you, lovely!
    Glad you got to see England win and I love your England shirt!
    Your description of the BBQ sounds lovely, the pleasant company, the drink and the FOOD which I am sure didn't give you HEART burn! (Wink wink)
    You are right about sunsets, but I feel the same about sunrises too and they are the same the whole world over, we can all enjoy them!

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    1. We can indeed all enjoy sunsets and sunrises, and they are for FREE!!
      That t-shirt is at least 10 years old; it was a fun gift from my sister to me and Steve, and she was surprised to see I still have it.
      I generally don't get heart burn, and the BBQ food did not have any negative side effects on me ;-)

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  7. I'm not a huge sports watcher on TV, but I have seen several of the matches in the world cup and the standard of play has been high - marred only by the outrageous fouls and stupid dramatics - which, I'm embarrassed to say, some England players indulge in too. All players at this level are skillful enough - they shouldn't have to resort to grabbing the opposition like a bunch of schoolkids - but I'm guessing some are also not very bright or honest. Maybe they should be paid less. Rant over. Looking forward to the semi-finals. And loved your photos!

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    1. Thanks, Mike! I am looking forward to watching at least the 2nd half on Wednesday, too. Could be I'm out running during the first half - weather permitting.
      I fully agree with what you say about the players at this high (and highly paid!) level.

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  8. Such lovely light in these photos!

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    1. It is my favourite time of the day for being outside.

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  9. Oh, this made for lovely reading, and viewing of photographs. The sunset sequence was a great idea. I loved the allotment flowers. Not O.K'.s family allotment? I would love to see more and more of both that one, and the one your parents have. I think from other comments, they fascinate me. It is good to have a minute to come read your posts.

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    1. Thank you for this very kind comment, Nan! The allotment of O.K.'s family is mostly for growing fruit and vegetables, there are not many flowers on it. The only other picture I have of it are with the family, and they do not wish to have their photos shown on here. As for my family's garden, I have been there only once this year so far. It has been so hot and dry this summer, it does not look as good as it did in previous years, I'm afraid.

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