Pendragon and I have just spent two wonderful days in the Metropolis. On Saturday night, we visited our favourite eating house, the "L'Amour Docile" for a pre-theatre health conscious spread. Is there such a thing ? We always test the delights of the house salad first,and then followed up with pretty solid portions of pumpkin risotto for Pendragon, and the root vegetable spaghetti for me. Two amaretto coffees to finish and before you can say "L'Apres -midi d'un faerie",we were standing with excited faces in the foyer of the Theatre Grande. An Oriental elven dance company were to perform their latest work,"Sunlight on Moon Water", and they were sure to be physically amazing,and also thought provoking. Our seats offered a good view of the dance work,and we waited to be amazed. Pendragon and I love going to the theatre,and sitting together in these narrow seats always seems to start us giggling like sprites. And cuddling, and kissing the odd kiss. Enough said, we misbehave a little, but it is just because we are happy to be there,together.The dance work lasted only about an hour, and although the calibre of the dancers could never be in dispute,the work itself did strangely disappoint. Not enough partner work,a lot of repetitive patterns of movement, and a lack of light and shade in the music they were following. It just lacked the most important ingredient - soul.Dance engages me a lot,being one of life's and Dingley Dell's natural moondancers.But I found it hard to engage with 25 dancers, all dancing separately,for an hour. I wanted them to work together,do varied and interesting lifts,and not rely so heavily on martial arts ritualistic moves. We walked back, in the lights of the city,to Pendragon's city toadstool, had two warming cups of dark chocolate ,and fell asleep in each other's arms.
On Sunday we rose early to beautiful sunshine outside. Throwing on our casual vestments, we strolled out into the warmth of the morning to find our breakfast.The Cafe Percolini provided Elfen toast for Pendragon, and a plate of scrambled quail's egg for me. We sat chatting as we do,rejoicing in the freedom of the day, and watching all the other diners in the passing,all out in force like ourselves, not wishing to miss a moment. There is a lovely meadow walk 100 yards from Pendragon's place,so later we followed the path, coming out eventually very close to the gardens of Metropolis University.Both Pendragon and I spent four years of our elven lives there,so it will always be a very sentimental spot for us. From there we took the First Class Faery Tram Car back to Dingley Dell. It stops at the back of our toadstool,leaving just a little passageway between us and our toadstool home. The sun continued to shine for the rest of the day. Pendragon sunbathed for an hour then found the strength to grab his scythe and tidy up our postage stamp lawn. I finished planting up the last of my geraniums and petunias, and watered all my newly tidied pots.The front garden looks beautiful,in shades of blue ,and yellow ,and red.Dulcie Woodnymph and Ariadne Sylph had parked themselves behind the Aubretia pot and seemed to be enjoying the scent and blossom. The Flowerpot people were guarding the geranium pots,just in case the odd slug or snail climbed aboard,looking for fresh foliage. A happy scene- they all seem to be getting on well together - at least I hope they are. The toadstool garden has room for all of these woodland folk and maybe a few more.Pendragon and I worked further in the back plot till twilight,till supper beckoned. We went inside ,leaving our four backyard boys,Mandolini, Pianolo,Basso Profundo and Verde,finishing their chores,and basking in the last rays of the day. They are such jolly boys, gnomes of unique and particular personality. Even though they do seem to have their lazy days, Pendragon and I are sure of their commitment to our toadstool home.
Today could not be more different outside. Heavy rain has been falling since dawn,and shows no sign of stopping. Queen Brighid the Bright phoned early to say that today's events at Brigantia Castle have been cancelled because of weather conditions.She seemed very despondent,because the forecast for this whole week isn't looking good.
I have an unexpected reprieve,which I intend to use to bring the toadstool's interior up to its usual immaculate standard.Rain or shine, I will go for my fitness saunter at three,wrapped in my waterproof cape.It is a day for catching up, and dreaming dreams of future days,future ploys and future successes.
I have a birthing day to plan for Pendragon,at the end of the merrie month of May. I want to make it a special one. Much mulching in your gardens,my dear friends, and may your Backyard Boys always be sunny ones.From Amarantha Willow, the most resilient of Rainbow Faeries.