Summer continues with plenty of sunshine but not quite so hot. Anglesey Abbey are getting ready for the local school holidays with activities for families but I hope the visitors also take the time to enjoy the dragonflies, ladybirds and other insects that enjoy the park, gardens and mill pond. Green is becoming the watercolour of the summer with, what appears to be, duckweed on every slow moving body of water, both at Anglesey Abbey and Godmanchester. There was one little duckling with mum checking out the scene there. I have commented on the apparent lack of butterflies, on my wanders, but that has changed for the better. There are gatekeepers in abundance at the Lodge along with a lovely brimstone and plenty of small whites. More dragonflies are now also apparent. The crowd of gatekeepers was nothing compared to the crowd along the river in Bedford for the annual River Festival. Although there was plenty to eat and plenty of fun for the kids I am sure the large numbers were as a result of Ragged Staff playing a set on the Mill Meadow Stage. I only caught the last couple of songs but Joe, Ned, Caroline and Mike were on top form. There was musical competition, well out of earshot, with a swing band on the town bridge. It is time to shamelessly plug our Moggies Band set at Bedfringe on the 22nd and we have put plenty of effort into a mix of old and new songs, giving it everything in a final rehearsal on Friday.