Sunday, March 06, 2016

The quiet of the afternoon

For me, the early part of an afternoon, just after lunch on a holiday, has a serenity that no other time of day can match. 

The light is bright, almost brilliant but it never seems harsh. Despite the heat- it is far too hot to be walking around outside, contemplating the surroundings from the shade of a drawing room or a verandah is a strangely therapeutic experience.

Partly, it is the quiet - there is very little movement around, people are all indoors, resting. Even the animals and birds are silent, except for an occasional caw from a crow. The only sounds are of the trees and the wind, rustling the leaves.

There are no chores or errands to be run. This is the time for a quiet glance through the papers or to read a book. It is the space between lunch time and nap time, both equally appealing on a holiday. 

The weekends are a precious thing, but the morning and the evenings tend to be busy with errands or friends. The afternoon is a time of solitude and rest. Perhaps this is its appeal?

It must seem a bit strange, finding something appealing in the hottest time of day. Is this just me? Does anyone else feel the same?


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

For me it's the first hour of waking up on a weekend/holiday. Which strangely is rather early.

The space between putting on the kettle,drawing the curtains and settling down on the sofa with a cup of coffee. I am not one for solitude,but this hour before the house wakes,I crave. Just one hour,one cup of coffee and quiet.I refer to it as the calm before the storm :)

Jack Point said...

Nice. Thanks for dropping by and sharing that, notesonmirrors :)

Anonymous said...

I agree! Post lunch was definitely the most tranquil time. Well at least that was the case before my little girl came along -_-

Jack Point said...

Thanks for dropping by Delilah, good to see you are still around.