The whistle heralded Islwyn’s arrival at the kitchen wall.
Both dogs barked and raced out to say hello
When I walked out he was itching both dogs behind the ears
They both love Islwyn
He was wearing his usual yellow safely coat and had been moving my garden waste Janet collects in one of his large plasticised collection bags. As usual he bantered about doing my jobs for me.
I smiled , used to him, and thanked him for his altruistic work .
We talked for a while and he asked me to blog about the church
It is exactly 300 years since the Parry family rebuilt the Church in its present form ( without the vestry) and 300 years since they rebuilt my cottage
I promised I would , and I have, and I promised to acknowledge his request on the village website too.
As we talked , I cut flowers from Janet’s sculptured herbaceous beds , alliums, blue iris , early roses and honeysuckle,
And put them in a jug some ITU staff gave me as a leaving gift.
I’m working today, just one day this week, which suites me just fine
Everything is nice for my morning reading: nice narration of a visit, nice church and nice bouquet in the perfect vase. Have a nice day! Catherinefromfrance
ReplyDeleteA bit bland but hay , we all have bland days …and today I’m effing knackered, it’s been busy at work
DeleteA sense of belonging.
ReplyDeleteI hope the church finds some sort of future even if it becomes a bunk house for pilgrims
DeleteAn everyday story of country folk. You are surrounded by history, beauty and love. Lucky man! xx
ReplyDeleteIslwyn is a good teacher
DeletePeaceful and practical, community and community spirit. It is a true blessing to live in a proper village. And the flowers and the jug are beautiful. Definition of mindfulness?
ReplyDeleteLiz I’ve always promised myself fresh flowers in my home when I bought my first house back in 1989, I have never failed that promise
DeleteConsidering the past and moving on. A good combination
ReplyDeleteBest of both worlds x
DeleteIslwyn may be friendly with your dogs but Boris The Turkey did not like him! As a man who gets things done, perhaps he should become Minister of Works in the forthcoming Labour government. After all, our current Foreign Secretary, Lord Armageddon, was unelected.
ReplyDeleteBoris didn’t like Chris , who he thought was a rival for my affections
DeleteThe jug and flowers are beautiful. I hope you cut the flowers aesthetically. Wouldn’t want to diminish Janet’s brilliant work.
ReplyDeleteI tried my best lol
DeleteThe grass over the wall looks very long, do they cut it for hay?
ReplyDeleteThe council is supposed to keep it short…
DeleteI love the view of the church over your garden wall. They really knew how to build 300 years ago. My house is only 75 years old and ready to be torn down. On my street, they rebuild bigger. That jug and flowers are so lovely . Have a nice day John. Gigi
ReplyDeleteAnd as the village grew old houses like shambled Wen ( the court house) was demolished and stone from it made newer cottages near well street
DeleteYour cottage is 300 years old and was obviously well built. My house is 24 years old and will not last anywhere that long sadly.
ReplyDeleteLovely cut flowers.
The walls are 18 inches thick
DeleteYou have the best neighbors. And a very lovely sister.
ReplyDeleteI have two lovely sisters
DeleteSounds so pleasant, John, and the flowers are lovely.
ReplyDeleteA meandering post today
DeleteI am curious to know if your church has needed much restoration in the past 100 years or so? Our chapel looks to be almost identical and is only around 160 years old - it was in need of some TLC by the time it was converted into a house.
ReplyDeleteThe vestry was added around the turn of the century and I’m sure the roof was reslated at some point
DeleteThe church looks very mysterious and abandoned. [as I recall it is].
ReplyDeleteGarden flowers in a jug, so pretty.
Yes unfortunately it’s locked. Very very sad
DeleteFlowers last much longer if you leave them growing instead of cutting them.
ReplyDeleteAnon, cut flowers bring much joy into a home.
DeleteI take it you have never picked daisies to make a daisy chain and delighted in it?
U
No, not done that. Is it something that you do
Deleteregularly?
Woo woo john way to go ✊🏻
DeleteLee
Happy Tricentennial to the church and your cottage!
ReplyDelete🎂🍰
DeleteI too am fond of Islwyn and would love chatting to him when passing by - Is there to be bunting on the Church or entrance to celebrate the 300 years x
ReplyDeleteHe’d keep you talking for hours.
DeleteHe has an eye for the ladies, he likes my sister and Sue who has the ponies on the field
Was the church awarded Pilgrim status or has it been sold?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we didn’t get granted pilgrim status despite a robust argument for it.
DeleteThe church is not up for sale
I have posted this news before
You might have posted it but how many new readers have the time or inclination to scroll back to see if there was something written about it?
DeleteI love that jug!
ReplyDeleteI have a thing for jugs large and small I have around 50
DeleteLovely pictures and how wonderful the views and the cottage are yours. The jug of flowers is beautiful and will gladden your heart.
ReplyDeleteWill you make a decadent dessert each week to celebrate your cottage's 300th year?
Hugs!
It was originally built in 17 th century 350 years
DeleteSuch a peaceful shot of the church of St. Michael and All Angels. Love the flowers & the jug.
ReplyDeleteHow's the village pond doing?
It looks glorious , I’ll post a photo for you
DeleteI have been asking to see the pond, pls post pics and describe?
DeleteSuch a peaceful post, love that Islwyn and the dogs are mutual friends and he still plays a huge part in village life. And I love, love, love that jug and that you grew the flowers to put in them. Smashing!
ReplyDeleteA pedestrian post today
DeleteNot at all, it is a lovely springtime post, peaceful and beautiful.
DeleteTalking of old things, I have just seen a picture of a Mary Queen of Scots Thorn tree planted in 1560,s and it is now in full bloom in the gardens of St Andrew's University. Amazing and lovely.
ReplyDeleteThere’s hope for my laburnum then xx
DeleteI enjoy these posts, everyday life sets the background.
ReplyDeleteThe church sits well in it's setting and your photo shows it off perfectly, it's such a shame that it's no longer in use. Your cut flowers are perfect for that jug. :-)
ReplyDeleteI too have a thing for china and jugs and have one similar to yours. They look so attractive with garden flowers!
ReplyDelete