Friday, 8 June 2018

My raincoat is clean


Does anyone know what type of tree/shrub this is? It is in a small park here, is very large and absolutely covered in blossom.

Up until recently, I have always detested municipal parks. I found them melancholy and depressing, even with a large brass band belting out jolly tunes. I am not sure why I hated them so, but I think a big factor was association.

When I was too young for pubs, I would arrange to meet girls in them and - invariably - the girls failed to show up. I once waited for one in Brighton's large park near the Pavilion until the sun went down, then walked home in the dark with Beach Boys tunes running through my head. It has taken a while for me to fully appreciate The Beach Boys too.

Now that I have come to terms (almost) with the stark fact that I will never again wait for a girl that isn't my grand-daughter to meet me in a park, I enjoy sitting in them and drinking tea (not even coffee) as I watch people stroll by. Am I at peace with myself? Almost.
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28 comments:

  1. Cro Magnon8 June 2018 at 05:38

    The park opposite the Pavilion is still an important meeting place; mostly involving Brighton's rampant gay scene.

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  2. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe8 June 2018 at 05:49

    Age can bring on acceptance and acceptance can bring on peace. However, you should never lose the very interesting person you are.

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  3. Joanne Noragon8 June 2018 at 06:39

    It's far more peaceful to come to terms with limits than rail against them. I do hope we've enjoyed the trip down.

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    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson9 June 2018 at 04:02

      Yes. I have to remind myself that I've had my turn.

      Delete
  4. Lettice8 June 2018 at 08:38

    Oh dear! Waiting for the next round in the big Bell in the sky are we Tom? Before you know it, you will be going off real ale and then you can be sure the die has been cast.

    LX

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    Replies
    1. Tom Stephenson9 June 2018 at 04:03

      Can't see that happening, but you never know.

      Delete
  5. Jennifer8 June 2018 at 08:58

    No idea on the shrub. I don't think I've seen one like it anywhere around here.

    Your story about the girls failing to show up reminded me of something similar from when I was around 17. My best friend Jessica and I met two cute guys working at a restaurant in Myrtle Beach, SC. After lots of flirting we made plans to meet up with them in the wee hours on the beach by one of the piers when their shift was over. Well, they never showed and we both felt totally humiliated. Jerks.

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  6. Jacqueline @ HOME8 June 2018 at 11:42

    It looks like a buddleia or butterfly bush but it might not be ! I can’t see it very well. I love some of the Beach Boys but don’t play them very often. XXXX

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    1. Tom Stephenson9 June 2018 at 04:05

      No, definitely not buddleia. After 50 years of hearing the Beach Boys, I've had enough.

      Delete
  7. The Weaver of Grass8 June 2018 at 12:25

    It is actually not a clear enough photo for me to try to identify Tom - can't even be sure what colour it is.
    As to dates in parks - I was brought up in the very depths of the countryside so that parks were much too public for clandestine meetings. Much better places.

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  8. John Going Gently8 June 2018 at 15:15

    Not a buddleia ...they don't bloom yet...looks like a hebe

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  9. Iris8 June 2018 at 16:51

    If it's a tree I am going with 'prunus padus watereri' and if it's a shrub, with 'itea virginica'.

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  10. Merlesworld8 June 2018 at 17:29

    People watching, as I get older I do it more too, it is very restful.
    Merle.......

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    1. Tom Stephenson9 June 2018 at 04:06

      Strangely, I used to people watch more when I was younger.

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  11. Doc8 June 2018 at 20:47

    It is a Portuguese Laurel.

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    1. Tom Stephenson9 June 2018 at 04:07

      You sound confident, Doc. I think I may have to call you the winner.

      Delete
    2. Tom Stephenson9 June 2018 at 06:45

      I've just checked - you are right, of course. Thank you.

      Delete
    3. Joanne Noragon9 June 2018 at 06:49

      You will have to call him the winner; he's our expert, and probably has one in his greenhouse.

      Delete
    4. Tom Stephenson9 June 2018 at 13:48

      He must have.

      Delete
  12. Rosina Sestina9 June 2018 at 00:12

    Municipal parks were a life I was not part of growing up on a farm and they have always felt alien to me, like pretend places too neat and tidy and I still feel the same about them.

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    1. Tom Stephenson9 June 2018 at 04:08

      Yes, they are too pretend for me as well. Capability Brown for the masses.

      Delete
  13. Bea10 June 2018 at 10:05

    I do like sitting in municiple parks. Over the past decade, the trend here has been to carve out a children's playground (and, in some cases, a dog-run) on almost every city green square. -not sure that I like it.

    I once saw a rather thin fox zip through the grounds around the Pavilion on a very busy weekend day.

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