Between us, our shared passion for art and antiques of the past half-century is eclipsed only by our psychical need to remain involved in the natural scenes around us. It is a daily investment in time and emotional need fulfilled to get out into a natural setting, removed from the structure of 'civilization', to restore an equilibrium in recognition of some deep-seated need of contact, observational, tactile, aesthetic let alone the benefits we derive from the physical act of being within a natural setting.

We found ourselves as we always do, acutely aware that we were in a setting apart from the norm, in our week away in New Hampshire. The cottage was surrounded by mature trees and nature's wild array of growing things could be seen from the windows of the cottage, backing onto a fairly steep ridge mounting above carrying with it a bounty of conifers and deciduous trees thick with new foliage.

Because it's in a mountainous region, the sun sets and rises differently, and the nights tend to cool to the point of frost, even though daytime temperatures can soar at this time of year if the cloud cover is minimized and the sun has the opportunity to warm the landscape. The quality of the air we breathe there is uncompromised and bracing and we always feel challenged to exert our physical capacities to their limit.

On Sunday, June 7 we drove once again to Smarts Brook for a shorter hike than the previous one, because we had decided we'd drive the distance to Antique Alley that day to mosey about some of the plenitude of antique and collectibles shops that proliferate there. Usually we reserve that trip for a rainy day when the downpour is so copious we're shut out of anything but a short, raincoat-clad venture.

We had a short walk, only to the Pine Flats, then set off on the trip, venturing into one group shop after another. And seeing very little to arouse our acquisitive interests, though my husband did pick up some old copies of the Magazine Antiques which he had once subscribed to. We greeted an old friend at Austin's, then went on to Parker-French where we've often picked up treasures over the years. There we discovered a Japanese sculpture, an Imari plate, a signed Chinese bowl and an outstanding mantle clock. Invariably, the people there are chatty and warm and many of them known to us from previous visits.

Jack and Jill were patient and well behaved; a hit with everyone oohhing and awwing after them. We went on to a large refurbished barn with outstanding American furniture and often superb paintings where in the past we'd bought a few items. In total, feeling the day had been well spent, servicing our interests and providing us with entertainment sufficient unto the day.