S4C shines

 Another lovely summer day to rejoice in. Pancakes for breakfast, then a walk together around the Fields and down to Blackweir, where the sun's angle made the waters of the Taff sparkle. We sat on a bench for ten minutes and enjoyed the moment. A dutiful heron stood on the opposite side of the island of pebbles in the river, neck completely outstretched ready to spot and catch a passing fish. It was a long way away but the photo I took at almost full zoom length wasn't blurred as they often are. Not surprising really as the auto focus shutter speed was 1/320, as it was so bright.

After lunch in the garden we took a siesta, then I went down to the local shops for a few items each of us needed. In Tesco's I found a bottle of Reinhessen Pinot Noir one of Clare's favourites and mine, rate to see on a supermarket shelf here. The last time we drank a glass of this was on our 2018 Rhine Cruise in Rudesheim. We haven't spent a great deal of time in Germany over the years, just a handful of visits, but drinking a glass the country's Pinot Noir in particular hold special memories of those times.

Although the garden was in shade, it was warm enough to eat supper outdoors. We have been blessed with many more healthy looking roses than usual this year and abundant flowers of different kinds that are well frequented by bees and cabbage white butterflies. The runner beans which Clare planted in pots and in a corner of the flowerbed are growing tall and flowering nicely. A solitary sparrow it seems has taken up residence and sings from the climbing rose bush which covers the other side of the garden wall trellis. For once in my life I'm not restless and content to be just where I am.

We watched a concert on S4C recently recorded concert as lock-down restrictions were eased. This year's National Eisteddfod moved entirely on-line. This concert was arranged in place of the final gala event I believe. Performers were all socially distanced, singers on stage and backing musicians under separate stylish open sided tents. The swinging Llaregub brass ensemble stood well spaced in the open simply choreographed and uniformed like a carnival marching band. Excellent performances, a handful of them done via video not recorded on site, with several numbers from Bryn Terfel to finish off with. It was an outstanding S4C production technically and content-wise, and deserves far wider recognition than it will probably get, as it's all in Welsh.

Two continuity presenters were scripted with poetic links between performances. Apart from 'memory lane' numbers many of the songs seem to have been written, certainly during lock-down, if not for this particular concert. It held together seamlessly as a production, and was really impressive with thoughtful content. I was struck by the expression of spiritual longing and searching, with mentions of God. A setting of the Benedictus from the Ordinary of the Mass was sung, and that was the only church/religious item to be included. Wales may now be a largely secular society, but its creatives are still looking above and beyond themselves for hope and meaning.

Afterwards I went out to stretch my legs and get some fresh air before bed. Some people were still sat on the grass chatting in the twilight under a clear blue sky as the stars came out.