In the countryside

• It’s a fine day today, isn’t it?

• Yes, it is. The wind has changed from north to east. The sky is clearing. And the sun has come out.

• The spell of rainy weather has broken at last. Soon the spring will bring warm weather, flowers, and the sun will burn away the snow.

• The trees are breaking out into buds. I think in some weeks the sun will bring out the cher­ry blossoms.

• You know, we’re planning to go out of town on Sunday. It’s very pleasant to walk in the country when the weather is nice. The scenery is beautiful there. I like to walk at night, breathe in the fresh clear air, feel a chilly wind blowing in my face, look at the sky. I like to watch the stars come out at night. I’m charmed by the beautiful sight. What about going to the country with us? You won’t be sorry if you join us. A change of air would do you a lot of good.

• All right. I’ll talk it over with my husband and let you know as soon as possible.

• O.K. I count on fine weather for the picnic.

• I hope the weather will keep fine. Well, I must be going now. I’ll ring you up as soon as I can.

• All right. See you soon.

Seasons

Look! The sky is clearing. The wind has changed from north to east. The sun has come out. But the rain is still dropping from the trees. And the streets are covered with mud. It’s unpleasant to walk in wet weather.

I think the weather is good for the time of year. It’s breaking. In some days leaves will clothe the trees and the sun will bring out flowers. As for me, I like to go out in all weath­ers. In winter I like to walk in frosty weather and see beautiful snowflakes fall gently down on the ground. After a long winter we yearn for warm sunshine, first flowers and cherry blossoms. Spring gives place to summer with its fruit, long sunny days, a gentle breeze blowing from the sea in our faces. Autumn has some wonderful days. I like to watch leaves dance in the wind. The days close in. We feel first frosts in the air. It’s pleasant to breathe in the cool fresh air.

Tim:

Oh, you’re a great romantic! Personally, I don’t walk in any weather. It’s too cold in win­ter. The wind and frost bite the face. The cold weather often reaches well into the spring. It often rains in spring. I dislike chilly windy weather. It’s usually too hot in summer. And autumn wretched weather with its rain and mist gets me down.

Mary:

I’m afraid, you’re a pessimist. Look on the bright side: at least every season has its fabu­lous days. And variety is the spice of life.

An Ideal Holiday

by J. Cook

If we are fond of travelling we see and learn all sorts of things that we can never see or learn at home, though we may read about them in books and newspapers, and see pictures of them at the cin­ema. The best way to study geography is to travel, and the best way to get to know and understand the people is to meet them in their own homes.

Most people who spend a holiday travelling take a camera with them and photograph anything that interests or pleases them - the sights of a city, views of mountains, lakes, valleys, plains, water­falls, forests, etc; famous men and women; the ruins of ancient buildings; and even animals and birds. Later, perhaps years later, they will be reminded by the photographs of the happy time they had had. '

When I was a boy every holiday that I had seemed ideal. All day I played on the sands with my friends. We made sandcastles with huge yellow walls, and watched the incoming tide destroy them; we played football, we splashed each other in the water and shrieked with excitement. When the tide went out, we climbed over the slippery rocks and stared down at the fish and the seaweed in the rock-pools.

In those far-off days the sun seemed to shine constantly and the water was always warm. Sometimes we left the beach and walked in the country, exploring ruined houses and dark woods and climbing trees that overhung streams.

Although I am now an adult, my idea of a good holiday is much the same as it was. I still like the sun and the warm sand and the sound of waves breaking on the beach. 1 no longer wish to build sandcastles, but I love sunbathing and the feel of sand running through my fingers, and I look for­ward to sitting down to a good meal in the evening. I think too, that I prefer travelling. I want to smell different smells; I want to see different kinds of trees, flowers and plants; and I also want to see people wearing different kinds of clothes.

But I still need my companions - not, of course, to play on the sands and eat ices with, but to talk to on warm moonlit nights.