I had forgotten how well tended the walled garden is at Scargill House. This time of year it is a riot of colour, texture and form, and perfumed by its numerous plants, shrubs and trees.
The high limestone wall creates a very special place in which to wander or sit in secluded stillness, to listen to the song of the curlew or enjoy a moment’s relaxed reflection.
It has been a great foil to the fast paced shifts and changes of the current political scene in the UK.
Walking through the gorgeous meadows of wild flowers here in Wharfedale reminded us of similar meadows in Burgundy, France. Such simple colour, perfume and beauty.
However, it seems to me that it is the limestone barns and walls that makes the Yorkshire Dales landscape even greater food for the soul.
Spotted a family of siskins around the bird feeder. Lovely to discover the name of a bird I had not been aware of before now. Whilst the chaffinches, blue tits, and sparrows played nicely with each other the feisty siskins fought between themselves over the plentiful food.
Such a stunning colour and markings though. I really liked them.
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.
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.
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!
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)
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.
The first message we received this morning was – ‘Reason overcome by bigotry’.
Responded – ‘What have we become?’
Reply – ‘Isolated and small.’
In our small bit of life we will try to remain open and welcoming to the whole earth community. That is our personal challenge and that is where we may discover hope again.
How can this place nourish the mind, body and soul so very deeply in such a short time? Perhaps only when what is essential converges…
…working the land, curlews, ducks, wild skies, rain, sunshine, limestone, curious cows, sea, simple good food, time to read, a good walk, sleep, and of course, the ease of friendship.
We are filled.
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