The longest day of the year is already here. The dawn chorus starts whilst the clock still reads four and the fade of the gloaming lasts well after ten. We are rising early to be part of it and then eating too late, for it is hard to leave the garden to prepare supper. These light-filled days see growth literally reaching towards it and the fecundity is as its zenith on the right here and right now of the solstice. 

This time last year we were preparing for a big party that we held on the crown of The Tump on this special day. In the run up and with the moment focused, we became acutely aware of the time elongating and then slowing before we leaned into the other side. The three days before, when the energy in the garden was at its most expectant, and the three days after that saw it relax and spill and burgeon into the next phase of summer. The meadowsweet in the ditch exemplifies this tangible shift here at Hillside, the creamy luminosity and sweet perfume being at its height and the last flower to fade into the shortest night.