Blissful summer nights

Flashbacks to a time that long since passed brought me back to my childhood days last Tuesday evening. As a kid growing up in a semi-rural environment, without smartphones or computers, the long summer holidays were spent outdoors. It usually involved playing football at the local playground, where all the children from the village would gather for a game that lasted until twilight turned into darkness and you could barely see the ball or your friends on the pitch. The final set of what seemed like endless games of ping pong at the camping site in France was similarly forced upon us by dusk, and plans were always enthusiastically made for the next day. In my memories these evenings were warm, a pleasant warm summer night, that would allow you to run around in shorts and still be comfortable. Whenever you were sent to bed by your parents it always felt too early, cause it had only just gotten dark? The lengthened exposure to daylight over the summer holidays only magnified the endless energy you seem to have as a child and the summer holidays seemed to last forever. No worries, no responsibilities, and the blissful ignorance of what those words really mean.

Last Tuesday was a bit like that. One of the lads with whom I usually play on Saturdays had the brilliant thought of making the most of these long summer evenings by organising a weekday kick-around as well. The venue was Fairview Park, as usual, and the scene was very reminiscent of those old days when you were playing football with your friends. The sultry summer evening that is really not that typical for Dublin and the blend of South American and Mediterranean accents on the pitch made for a scene that could have been anywhere in the world. But no, this really is Ireland, it is summer in Dublin with already three weeks of very pleasant weather in a row. It is almost as if it will never end. But like back in the days, when the beginning of a new year of school was looming in the distance, I know that sooner or later this spell of good weather will be swallowed up by some incessant downpour. Better enjoy it now that we have the chance, I can’t wait for the next game.