A Cotswold village like so many others nestling in the hills and deep valleys
The light playing on the honey coloured stonework creating dancing and flickering shadows. Stone houses, some built in the 13th century - hundreds of years of history steeped within their walls
The sun glints on the window panes, a curtain flutters. All is still, quiet, just the rustle of leaves and the sound of bird song. A peaceful day
Was it really less than two weeks ago that we walked these same sunlit, dappled, stonewalled lanes; the light sparkling, but the mood solemn; the only sound, a mournful toll from the old church bell?
This is the spot where our friend was laid to rest; here amongst the ancient yew trees in a peaceful churchyard. Her last journey, a coffin of woven wicker, fresh flowers threaded through it by her friends from their gardens. In our hearts we silently bid our sad farewells. Time stood still, for centuries this village has witnessed it all before. A dog barks, a child laughs, a rose opens - time moves on, but memories linger
Bobbie - a 60s girl
A fitting tribute to your good friend. In spite of the sad purpose for this trip, the images in this post do not seem lonely or desolate at all: Vibrant, friendly, colorful, soothing, are the words that come to mind.
ReplyDelete--Road to Parnassus
What a fantastic post. Reading I can hear the churchbells ringing like you did. Memory's stay forever. A beautiful place your are showing Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
it looks so cozy, I love the image with the trees going high, wish you very happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteHello Rosemary:
ReplyDeleteWe are so saddened by this post, both for you and of course your dear friend, Bobbie, who is no longer with you. But what a lovely setting for the funeral and the coffin of wicker, threaded through with garden flowers, must have brought joy in the midst of sorrow.
Of course life moves on, as you so rightly say, but memories do remain and, surprisingly, grow with the years.
A beautiful tribute to your dear friend Bobbie. My heart is wheling ..How precious for a friend to make a woven wicker coffin, and the flowing threaded through it.. I will remember that too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful village that she lived in.
Those old buildings and churches, must hold many secrets no doubt!
Like you write Rosemary. And life goes on, but we always have our memories.
A lovely post Rosemary.
The Cotswold village could not be prettier to me. Thankfully I see no hoards of tourists. Your friends photo is lovely. The circle of life as you describe it is beautiful. Thanks for you comment today because not everyone gets me when I am being silly. Olive
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice village and I love the picture with the sun coming through the trees.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
It sounds like a wonderful send off for your friend - have never heard of a wicker coffin.
ReplyDeleteThe photos could have been hundreds of years ago - not a car in sight.
I thought the tone from your post was somewhat different than from a vacation/travel post. So sorry for your loss, but what a peaceful and beautiful place for your friend Bobby to have as her last resting place.
ReplyDeleteBig hug,
Marian
My condolences to you for the passing of your friend. How lovely that she graced the world with her presence and may her memory live on through friends like you. What lovely photographs...thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful nad peaceful place ! Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteHello Rosemary
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that you lost your friend Bobbie. I have not seen a wicker coffin but love the softness and the natural material. What a beautiful place she is resting and one that I am sure you will visit and sit a while with her as the years pass.Requiescat in pace, Bobbie.
Helen xx
Dear Rosemary - What a beautiful tribute to your friend, Bobbie. And, a beautiful setting to surround her. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLoi
Your photos are very atmospheric and beautiful. A forlorn place of which not many still exist. I am very sorry about your friend, Rosemary! Memories linger on that is very true. Christa
ReplyDeletebeautiful photos and village. I'm sorry for your friend's passing.
ReplyDeleteDear Rosemary, I am so sorry that you lost your friend. How very touching to lay Bobbie to rest with a coffin of woven wicker and fresh flowers woven through it.
ReplyDeleteOn my death, I wish I’d be part of such a beautiful place like Cotswold, slumbering peacefully and awakening pleasantly when remembered. You will be stronger always with her in your heart.
ReplyDeleteYoko
I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Her photograph suggests that she was not only lovely, but fun to spend time with. She rests in a lovely space.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute, I like the fact your friend had a wicker coffin with flowers threaded through it sounds special.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your friend .She lived in a wonderful village so peaceful and she went to another heaven . Keep her in your thoughts and in your heart.
ReplyDeleteOlympia
The funeral sounded special, and the setting was beautiful. I think I will see that lovely picture of the stunning Bobbie in the 60s the next time | drive through those honey coloured Cotswold scenes. A beautiful and serene post. I hope the beauty of the place has helped you with this sad loss. J.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely village!Amazing photos!Im Dimi from Fiona,s Green Day.Im so sorry about your friend!Maybe she meets my mum up there.She pasted away four months ago!Im following you now!Have a great month of September my dear!Greetings from Athens!
ReplyDeleteDimi..
Dear Dimi - thank you for your visit and for becoming a follower, I am delighted to welcome you. I am sorry to learn that you lost your mother recently, a mother is someone so special in our lives.
DeleteI am glad you were able to enjoy this beautiful village again without the tolling of the bell, and sorry for the loss of your friend. Happy Birthday for last Friday - what a coincidence! It was Kirstie Allsopp's too!
ReplyDeletex
So sorry to hear of your friend Rosemary. She looks like a beautiful and kind lady. Her last resting place is in a beautiful spot.
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Madelief x
A wonderful tribute to an old friend. Just like the landscape in your photos, we are timeless and live on in the birdsong, roses and towering trees that surround us.
ReplyDeleteI know this village and your pictures capture the spirit of the place and all woven very touchingly with the farewell to an obviously well-loved friend
ReplyDeleteDear Laura - glad that you are able to picture the village where my friend rests. It is a quiet and peaceful place.
DeleteYou set the tone of this post so beautifully with your words and images Rosemary. A touching tribute.
ReplyDeleteLovely place!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful pictures!
xoxo, Juliana
[pjhappies.blogspot.com]
A fittingly elegiac post to mark your friend's passing, Rosemary. I'm very sorry for your loss and hope you will be comforted by knowing that she lies in such a beautiful and peaceful place.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much to all of you for your very supportive messages and comments. I really appreciate them greatly.
ReplyDeleteI am sure I left you a comment here but I can't see it any more!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very very interesting. I have visited the Cotswolds and just loved them. I am following you now.
Best regards from Athens, Greece !
Hello Marie-Anne - I am sorry that you left a comment that has disappeared. I have looked behind the blog and there is nothing lurking there, it appears to have vanished into the blogosphere!!!
DeleteSo pleased that you like the blog, and nice to know that you have visited the Cotswolds.