Quaker outings can be very charming affairs. Ann Evans of Sawley meeting has sent us a snapshot (literally and metaphorically) of a day at Swarthmoor Hall when Friends - including two from the USA - picked a warm summer's day for their visit.
'Our picnic lunch was eaten in the formal garden area,' she tells us, 'its wild fringe of lush grasses and deep shade by the stream giving respite from the heat, and providing a haven for damp-loving beings, including our children.'

They noted a number of those small miracles one can see in gardens; woodpiles with associated insect life, well organised compost, and 'beehives at the far end of the wild meadow placed conveniently close to abundant wild raspberries; nettlebeds alive with Emperor butterfly larvae; wild roses gracing ancient walls where deep crevices harbour small mammals.'

Following the example of the Swarthmoor gardener, the meeting hopes to sink an old bathtub in its own garden to invite frogs. Eye thinks Ann and Sawley meeting might enjoy Narrative of a visit to the Australian colonies.

Labels: bathtub, damp, swarthmoor, thefriendeye