Summer fetes and sunshine a-plenty

British summertime: Wimbledon, strawberries and cream, summer fetes selling Pimms, pub gardens, lazy holidays by the seaside... and usually rain.

Not so this summer. Up and down the country, we've been blessed with day after day of sunshine. I'm not a huge fan of super-hot weather and boy, do we need a day or two of rain but it has been rather nice to feel like we're actually having a good 'ol summer this year. 

In the village where I live this means - in addition to the aforementioned - scarecrows. A relatively new tradition in a place with hundreds of years of history, the Scarecrow Festival offers children and grown-ups alike a chance to get creative, have fun and share in the results.

There are at least three Donald Trump scarecrows around the village plus everything from fallen parachutists, bakers, butchers, hairdressers, a Father Christmas and a few rather odd, difficult-to-describe characters too.

The activities culminate mid-July with two days of stalls, cream teas, live music, tractor rides and a fun dog show with categories such as 'Waggiest Tail' and 'Cutest Puppy.

And the best thing about all these old fashioned festivities? Like the fetes in every other village in this wonderful country, they give us a break from the mundane, from divisive politics and unsteady times, and offer a chance to lift our spirits and bring communities together. 

That, and a chance to laugh freely amongst friends at tiresome and ridiculous world leaders.

Ducks swimming down the Test river, which is surrounded by lush green plants and trees