21st June, 2017. ‘Sammy’ squirrel and Felix Mendelssohn.

Currently walking dog along section of ‘Middlegate’ before breakfast, the section immediately west of the chalk quarry has overhanging trees on both sides. Like most dogs Molly chases squirrels when on the ground, but not only can they ‘gallop’ surprisingly fast they can also climb vertically up the tree-trunk and into the canopy, and, in the case of this section cross over to trees on the other side. Although an ‘invasive species’ and often known as a ‘tree rat’ evolution has been good to them in their abilities to escape those who would do them harm. Like the rest of us however they easily fall-prey to guns.

With today being the Summer Solstice (i.e. Sun overhead the Tropic of Cancer) it was nevertheless a coincidence that the cd I put on this morning was Mendelssohn’s overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s comedy about fairies and elves. This he composed initially at the age of 17 (1826) and includes some delightful harmonies between orchestra, choir and soloist. Mendelssohn is classed as an early ‘Romantic’ composer and is particularly well known for orchestral works inspired by landscapes he witnessed.