Category / Creation

by canddaway

Hubberholme

 

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This morning we took a circular walk from Buckden, via Cray and Hubberholme. The views from above the tree line straight down Wharfedale were wonderful. It was easy to see what a great example of a post ice age U-shaped valley it is.

We stopped in Hubberholme to take a look in the 12th century parish church of St. Michael and All Angels. It is a beautiful church of limestone and wood particulary known for the carved mice found on many of its oak pews, choir stalls and chairs. These were crafted by the furniture maker Robert Thompson of Kilburn who was part of the 1920s revival of craftsmanship, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement.

We ended the day with a great curry at the Bluebell Inn in Kettlewell. At one point it was hard to move around for the number of dogs near the bar. We returned to a message that our friends’ dog had died today. He was a most lovely natured dog. We shall miss his great gift of welcome.

 

by canddaway

Scargill Labyrinth

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One of the things we did yesterday on our walk around the estate was to wend our way along the labyrinth’s path.

It is eleven years since a group of staff and students from the University of Edinburgh came to Scargill to build the labyrinth out of limestone. It was a surprisingly special time for those of us who worked on it together.

Now it gives real pleasure to know it is used for contemplative reflection, de-stressing or just enjoying the wander amidst the beauty of the dales countryside.

by canddaway

Dales

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Yesterday we arrived at Scargill House in Wharfedale, North Yorkshire, for a month of volunteering and reflection. As our work did not begin until today we spent part of the afternoon walking the 90 acre estate and taking in the views northwards to Kettlewell and south to Kilnsey Cragg.

In a feat of great timing we arrived on the day one of the community was having their leaving meal. Great cake and Wensleydale cheese!

by canddaway

Immersed

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In these days of political and societal uncertainty, when we take a step back to see the bigger picture of ebb and flow, these words find meaning.

…I wait for the tide to turn
Until the distant becomes close,
Until the far off becomes near,
Until the outside is within
Until the ebb flows…
…I wait for the tide to turn
Until weakness is made strong,
Until blindness turns to sight,
Until the fractured is made whole,
Until the ebb flows.

(From David Adam’s Celtic Prayers)

by canddaway

Red

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We took a bus from Bardon Mill in Northumberland to Carlisle, the county town of Cumbria. The red sandstone of many of the town’s buildings struck us by the depth of its colour.

We turned up at the Cathedral to discover a Celtic Eucharist about to begin. It was a good space to reflect on the seismic events of the last few days and to remember that the community of the earth live beneath the same sky of stars.

In the nearby 17th century Tullie House, now a museum and art gallery, we viewed the Roman section and were particularly drawn to an exhibition about Hadrian’s Wall and the walls that divide people and nations today. Very poignant.

That evening, back near the Northumberland stretch of wall, we watched a male woodpecker with gorgeous red plumage feed a juvenile. Simply joyful to see.

 

by canddaway

Earth landing

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Tim Peake and his two astronaut colleagues were supposed to land in Kazakhstan today after their six months in space. Not many people know they actually landed near the north shore of the Isle of Lismore. I however, saw them arrive with their flask of tea and plastic box of ginger biscuits.

You can’t kid a scouser all of the time!

by canddaway

Birth 2

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We arrived back last night to discover a dead day old duckling at the door. After a search for siblings in the nest a wee strong duckling emerged. It spent the night cuddled up to a teddy in the kitchen. This morning it is eating, drinking, tweeting for it’s mum occasionally, but still cuddling the teddy.

There is nothing like an experience of new life, new possibility, whether human or duck, for grabbing the heart strings of hope and joy.

In the political mêlée of this country just now perhaps we need to re-discover a way of being that moves beyond the negative rhetoric of scaremongering and greed and perceives what is essential for all human beings, wherever they come from across this beautiful planet.

With a deeper understanding of all we have in common perhaps hope and joy may yet be possible.

by canddaway

Good day

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Spent most of the day weeding the lavender beds. Not nearly as heady a task as yesterday’s lavender bag filling.

Late afternoon we took the ferry across to Port Appin and strolled the limestone coast midst lilac rhododendrons and purple foxgloves before enjoying an amiable meal in The Pierhouse. The last time all three of us had eaten out together was in Queenstown, New Zealand. We celebrated that amazing journey as well as all this day has given.