We are blessed with the most wonderful weather. Do you know why? It’s because it’s so unpredictable. Those winter’s mornings can be cold and dark. However, we are now in March and in just two weeks the clocks go forward and British summertime officially begins. Not that the weather takes any notice of officialdom. It may still be freezing cold or pouring with rain. The British weather is like a capricious friend, constantly changing, never predictable.
Even in the winter you can get some fine weather. The spring-like weather that we’ve been having recently brings to mind the words of the poet William Wordsworth.
I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o'er vales and hills, when all at once I saw a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Speaking of clouds, just imagine it’s the first warm fine day of the year and you’re lying on your back on the grass looking up at the sky. You feel the warmth of the sun and your body starts to relax. Will you be ready to cast off the baggage of winter and seize the moment? Would you be interested to know how you can create something extra-ordinary out of something as ordinary as a change in the weather?
In this article we are going to explore one of the ways we can do this by getting outside and having a picnic.
I believe that picnics add peace, passion and purpose to our lives for the following three reasons.
Firstly, we create time to be with the people we care about. As the poet William Henry Davies said “What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.” In modern life we wander in a crowd of people like a nomad continually on the move. When we have a picnic we are away from the home and work environment so it is easier for us to forget the stresses and strains of everyday life. We finally stop our wandering and focus on our thoughts and the people we care about.
Secondly, if you choose the right setting, get some suitable food and create the right ambiance a picnic can be very romantic. Dining outdoors is immensely sociable. There is always the chance of meeting someone interesting. After all if you eat indoors who is going to come and knock on your door and say hello.
When it comes to romantic picnics one of the best I’ve experienced must have been an evening at Aldley End House, a Stately Home in Essex, where I went to see a live performance of the Rat Pack. The Rat Pack is a show paying tribute to the voices of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davies. This was such an amazing evening! The inky darkness of the sky against the backdrop of the illuminated house and some wonderful music. My date had also prepared the most amazing picnic. I was impressed.
Thirdly, picnics are educational. When you are outdoors you can learn more about your surroundings, the history of your area.
If you want to improve your literary knowledge why not partake of your picnic whilst enjoying a Shakespeare play in an open air theatre or expand your knowledge of classical music with a concert at Kenwood House.
Picnics also keep you fit! At these events I’ve played friss-bee, swingball and rounders. So if you over indulge – fear not! Just get up and run around a bit to work off those calories.
There are many health benefits of sunlight. Being in the sun helps our bodies to produce vitamin D which strengthens the bones and immune system.
Picnics can provide you with some wonderful memories.
I have spent some wonderful picnics with friends. I can remember taking off one evening and driving all the way to Henley for a picnic by the river. As I listened to the evening chorus of the birds in the trees, I had the surreal feeling that just hours earlier I was in the office and I was connecting with nature.
The picnic is open to all. We do not need to spend lots of money to enjoy it. You can be a tramp or a member of the royal family - the venue the great outdoors is open to all!
If time is a concern, nowadays you can even order your picnics pre-prepared. However, it doesn’t really matter what you take – it’s the company that counts.
We are very fortunate to have so many excellent picnic spots right on our doorstep. To get ideas for places for good picnics is not difficult.
Your local library or bookshop are probably awash with books with some great suggestions.
The internet is another very good source of information. I can recommend
http://www.picnicshop.co.uk/picnicLocator for finding good picnic locations and www.ts-u.co.uk for information on open air theatre
So the picnic fulfils a role for families, for friends and for lovers. It is the time and place to reconnect with nature. A lazy leisurely meal.
This summer I ask you to rejoice in the magic of the unexpected. Remember that beautiful summers day may not be there again for some time. Will you be prepared to get out there and enjoy it?