As the year continues to unfold I suddenly realize that the evenings are much longer and the need for thick clothing belongs to the past season. Such was the pleasure over a few days that I have recently enjoyed at Henley, England.
I was at the Global Masterclass for Alumni at Henley Business School and to celebrated the 70 Anniversary of the School’s foundation, making it the oldest Business School in the UK. It is also one of the most respected worldwide with over 70,000 Alumni spanning over 150 countries.
On one of the evenings I was looking forward to a boat trip and dinner on the River Thames with the wonderful group of people, from many parts of the world, that I have been learning with over three days. It is a trip I have done on a number of occasions and rather than the trip becoming too familiar I seem enjoy it all the more – it is so wonderful. The expectation and sheer pleasure of being on the river, something that can only be described as quintessentially English, is a real joy.
It was early evening and the end of a perfect early summer day as we headed for the boat. Whilst not overly warm it was a certainly warm enough and dry to enjoy drinks on the upper deck before we headed inside, a little later, for dinner.
When I have been on this trip before it is usually a later in the season. What was so unusual on this occasion was the large number of May Flies that were about. They are a wonderful insect, harmless and so fabulous to look at. Many were flying close to the water and over the bank of the river. Some were coming and sitting on us for a free ride.
The picture shows one in all of it’s splendor, but the sad fact is that they are in decline, like so many other species; this does call for alarm.
The May Fly is a favorite food of the trout and a keen reason why those who fly fish have often chosen this as the preferred bait for a hungry fish.
I enjoyed the evening and the company of the other guests. I also strangely enjoyed the company of the May Flies, and did not hear one objection to these extra guests. What I did think the following morning was just how blessed we are with the diversity of nature, these flies that only live for such a short time, often a day or less, as they do not feed.
We hear so much about climate change, loss of species, risk to biodiversity, ecological stress, and much more, that the intended shock becomes less shocking. On this evening it was a gentle reminder that I do live in a wonderful part of the world and sometimes take it for granted – and truthfully I cannot remember when I last saw a May Fly before this wonderful evening. Now that shook me.
I must keep a keener eye open as I am surely missing more of the beauty of our world than I had realised.
My best wishes,
Peter
