Things to Remember to Do in June 2021

3rd June 2021

A new month full of optimism and hope!

My parents vow they will be early for their own funerals, couldn't be more Irish or Punctual. So here I am, abstaining from family traditions, three days late to the party.... Hurrah for June in all its Midsummer glory. Plans and preparations underway for children's Summer.holidays that stretch out far beyond the sunshine, days yawning with books, picnics, swimming and imagination. This will be our third full Summer back in Ireland, and we are equipped with the necessary tools - wetsuits and raincoats and a sense of Adventure. #staycation is still the #motdujour so we'll come up with new places to go and hopefully people to see. I'm happy to be in Summer clothes but have no keenness to be in a crowd.... Yet.

In Ireland we have so much to celebrate. As a proud island nation we have a productive climate for agriculture and a supportive educational system bringing fresh young minds to the fore. The wit amongst our peers and determination amongst businesses to excel on a national and international level is exemplary.

In celebration of June, let’s choose some of the things not to forget about in our all-too recently enforced slow living.

“I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June” L.M.Montgomery.

Month of peony flowers, strawberries, barbecues, bicycle rides and picnics? Not too far fetched this year, as the promise of Summer holidays abroad is almost beyond reach and we turn more to the era of My Fair Lady-esque activities, albeit socially distanced of course.

This gives hosts a fantastic opportunity to drag mismatched chairs and tables, hammocks, cushions, picnic baskets, et al. into the garden to nestle near the willow tree and invite friends over to sit apart and perhaps bring their own cutlery and glassware?

Remember that Father’s Day is imminent and cannot be missed. Plan to buy him something a little different this year – a Ravensburger puzzle for the retired Dad, some Irish pottery for the foodie, a personalised photobook that you have had time to make, a Guinness hamper, or a Summer botanical gin from Glendalough Distillery paired with some of his favourite snacks.

With the cancellations of festivals and everything in between, there are innovative offerings online. Nevertheless, with the loveliest weather in June, it is perhaps not the time that you want to be spending indoors looking at a screen, however big or small.

Instead, try curling up with a book in a beanbag outside. Some favourites are:

A Theatre for Dreamers by Polly Samson

The Secret Life of Trees by Colin Tudge

The Lost Words by Robert McFarlane

Whip up a storm in the kitchen and pack it into a bag for a Summery picnic. My favourite place for inspiration is Tori Finch’s “A Perfect day for a Picnic” where she shares recipes for a host of themed picnics as well as styling ideas to recreate the ambiance. Whether you choose a kids teddy bear picnic or a spicy Asian inspired luncheon you will find ideas to suit everyone’s tastes. I can highly recommend the chocolate brownie too, even if you are not picnic inclined.

It is elderflower season and those who suffer from hayfever will be delighted to discover the relief that comes with a sip of homemade cordial or sparkling elderflower fizz. It is the simplest recipe if you can find a countryside supply of elderflower heads to soak overnight in sugar syrup. I used the recipe from Darina Allen and she also suggests using it to make Elderflower Lemonade. Another good thing about this recipe, is that the lemon slices you soak with the elderflowers can subsequently be frozen and added to gin and tonics. What’s not to like there?

Fed up of food, but looking for something else? Feel like you have explored your county in it’s intimacy? Then it is definitely time to upskill with a short online course, start a blog, buy a Nintendo Switch and take up Just Dance….join an online gym and sculpt your body, write a quiz and learn origami…..