When I remember, I go over to the churchyard with a watering can to give “my” laburnum a good soak
I’m too lazy to walk up the lane and up to the Lych gate, so I climb up the field gate, and stand on the gate post then crawl over the top of the wall, pushing the watering can in front of me.
It’s not dignified but it’s quicker.
I always fill the rabbit drinker first, then water my tree which is doing well
As I finished I heard a voice say something I didn’t catch and I turned to see two women walkers sitting on the bench outside the Church.
They were eating a picnic.
“ I’m sorry ? “ I said
It was the older woman that spoke and she asked if the tree was a memorial to a relative.
I told her that it wasn’t but had been a replacement for a giant laburnum which had been blown over a few years ago
“ And you water it regularly ? “ she asked
“I feel responsible for it” I replied
The woman, as it turned out was a Lecturer in History in Dundee University and was completing the pilgrim way across the a north Wales Coast. They were on the last leg of their journey to Holywell which is around 7 miles to the East.
She seemed well versed in everything
“ In folklore Dreaming of laburnum blooms is a prediction that you will overcome adversity through rigorous effort” the woman told me “ But never give the blooms as a gift” she added
“ I know they are poisonous “ I replied
“No the message in the giving is that the recipient is forsaken “ she replied
Interesting laburnum lore!
ReplyDeleteForsaken actually means abandoned
DeleteJust like your were John.
Perhaps that’s why you like the tree and it’s flowers so much ?
Huh?
DeleteYou meet some of the most unique/interesting people. This woman has knowledge beyond expectations on your laburnum. All very interesting.
ReplyDeleteShe seemed to know everything about everything susan
DeleteI love all the old folklore, much of which seems to be true. I knew laburnum was poisonous, but I've never heard that about the blossom. I'm glad yours is thriving and all the heat and lack of rain hasn't harmed it. xx
ReplyDeleteI’m glad that I’ve watered it as she also informed me that the are drought intolerant
DeleteHow interesting! You learn something new every day.
ReplyDeleteI
I'm glad your laburnum is thriving, despite the undignified way its water arrives!
Hugs!
Arse in the air
DeleteI take it you went back the more decorous way?
ReplyDeleteNo I lower myself backwards over the wall
DeleteI feel a bit forsaken lately, but I haven't received any blooms.
ReplyDeleteLol , if you do don’t eat them for gods sake
DeleteSame-same?
ReplyDeleteI’m not with you
DeleteI doubt anyone is. What does that comment mean? Intrigued.
DeleteI was thinking the same as Ms. Moon, that giving a poisonous bloom is much the same as giving them the message that you've forsaken them. Not exactly the same, of course, but if you've ever been forsaken you'll know that it feels an awful lot like the same.
DeleteI can't say I have seen a Laburnum since I came to live up here.
ReplyDeleteReally I thought they were everywhere pat
DeleteApparently Laburnum are very poisonous. I remember seeing the Laburnum Arch at Bodnant Gardens. The Americans have their own unique way of saying L-a-b-u-r-n-a-am. I remember working at a hotel garden and they pronounced it this way.
ReplyDeleteThe Bodnant laburnum arch is world famous
DeleteThe things one learns when climbing over a wall.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn’t a pretty sight
DeleteA Winnie-the-Pooh kind of moment. One for your book.
ReplyDeleteShe was quite entertaining in a forceful kind of way
DeleteIt makes me so happy that you go to the trouble of watering the laburnum.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have such a random and interesting casual meeting as a result!
E
It took so much effort planting the bloody thing of course I would
DeleteSo l began speed reading this and got to the the climbing bit and the ladies and had this notion of you in your 5th worst 'living dead' or whatever it's called t shirt, holey old bottoms encountering a Hyacinth Bouqet/Bucket type of person in the Graveyard, with some sort of funny story. Actually quite a tame meeting and informative to boot. Note to self, read the text properly next time. Good wishes friend never met Tess x
ReplyDeleteYes , my worst meeting in the graveyard was with a bereaved couple and I did have my walking dead t shirt on
DeleteOnly you babe x
DeleteI remember visiting my auntie with my mum on a warm summer day and sitting under a large laburnum tree in flower-As auntie walked across the lawn with a tea tray my mum said "don't eat any of the seeds"-I felt anxious and still do x
ReplyDeleteI am sure you talk to it as well!!
ReplyDeleteBarbarax
I do
DeleteFascinating - the Laburnum lore (must remember when next viewing the Bodnant arch - saw it blooming a couple of months back ) and the pilgrimage to Holywell. It's such a shame that the church in Trelawnyd couldn't be saved as a pilgrim church.
ReplyDeleteWatch this space P
DeleteHow thoughtful you are! Well done taking care of the tree.
ReplyDeleteYour descriptions are wonderfully picturesque, John. You make it easy to imagine whatever you're writing about. I hope your tree survives and thrives.
ReplyDeleteI should have planted a Laburnum here. The Wisterias I have get out of hand and crawl all over the roofs if not watched. A Laburnum or two instead would have avoided that.
ReplyDeleteShe may have been well-versed in everything but you should have tried asking her a few questions about rugby league.
ReplyDeleteFolklore is fascinating!
ReplyDeletePoisonous? I know you're a nurse and probably take every precaution necessary, but do try to avoid getting a rash while tending that tree.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, the laburnum is only poisonous if ingested. I can remember as a child being warned not to eat the pods, which resemble pea pods. x
DeleteI have always loved the beautiful laburnum I see around here. So much that I wanted one for myself. However, our garden is not large so I planted a weeping version. Unfortunately, all the blossoms grow under all the lush green leaves and are never seen, so wouldn't recommend them. On another note, I come from the outskirts of a small town in Central Scotland. At Church on Sunday we were told that both our Church and the other Church in the area will be closed down by the end of 2023. Both are large but now sadly, now suffer low attendance. What will become of them we know not. Sad times.
ReplyDeleteOh my. Well-versed indeed. I had no idea laburnums were saddled with so much folklore!
ReplyDelete