This really is a wonderful end to midsummer day.

Given that I had a rather early start today experiencing sunrise on Alderley Edge this morning, I had a kip in the armchair this evening. This made me rather later than usual for my trip to the folk club in Lymm.

I left home around 9.15pm on my bicycle to pedal the 6.5 miles through Altrincham and on to the Trans Pennine Trail, a resurfaced disused railway line that conveniently goes directly to the pub where the folk club is held.

The trail goes through farmland and has open views for some miles. As I pedalled along, singing the songs I intended to sing at the club, I watch the sun sink into the west. There were some clouds, enough to illuminate the sky, but not enough to grey the evening.

As the sun sank down, the sky and the clouds changed colour in sympathy, almost the complete opposite of what I had experienced around 4.45am. One significant difference was that while sunrise was a peaceful, almost silent affair, this event was still embroidered with the day's life. Within a few minutes, the sky changed from blue to gold, the to red as the sun's rays refracted through the atmosphere.

It really was perfect.

The folk club was as good as ever. Plenty of good singers and musicians, very good company, too much Timothy Taylor's Landlord bitter (I was on my bicycle), and, surprise, surprise, no bodhran.

I came out of the pub around 11.40pm and the horizon was still quite light even though the sun had long since vanished.

Such a shame there was nobody to share it with.

Ah well, a shower, a cup of Horlicks, lots of thoughts of loved ones, and then bed.

Good night.

JJ