During this season of blossom and renewal I am reminded of the words used by A.E. Housman in A Shropshire Lad, written as a young man of twenty at a time when seventy was considered to be good.
"Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.
And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room".
These thoughts are a gentle reminder of how time is of the essence and every moment so precious.
****
The weather has been perfect, and we have been making the most of it following what felt like a very long confinement during the winter months.
A visit to Buscot Park for a stroll along the water rill designed by Harold Peto for Lord Faringdon at the beginning of the c20th was our choice of destination. There was plenty of welcome dappled shade beneath the canopy of fresh green growth on the trees.
Previously I have solved problems sometimes with wise advice from eldest son, but I was finding things far too complicated to solve via a long distance phone call. Everything I tried led me down a different dark pathway with no light at the end. The machine was taken away, and has only just now returned. It appears that my Apple Mac is not the junior I thought it was but is really past it's retirement date. Obsolescence is built into them from the minute you bring them home. I am not sure how things stand at the moment as problems are still being encountered. I may be absent for some time during the foreseeable future.
Hello Rosemary, I love all the shades of green and the inviting paths in Buscot Park. I am not sure what is supposed to be happening in that bronze fountain--perhaps it is meant to convey the idea "no swimming allowed!"
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your computer problems. I have had difficulties too with uploading to Blogger--sometimes I get around them by opening Blogger in another browser. Good luck with getting things fixed!
--Jim
Hello Jim - the charmingly playful Dolphin and Putti forming the bronze fountain is simply a bit of playfulness.
DeleteI have actually changed to a different browser which is a bit better, but really I think that the age of the computer is the main problem.
Housman actually made it to three-score-years and seventeen and seems to have made good use of his allotted span being not only one of the best loved poets of his time but also the leading classical scholar of the age. And when visiting the Fellows' Garden at Cambridge's Trinity College I learned that he was a very keen gardener too having a lot of input into the design. I'm sure he would've approved of his verses being linked to such a fine garden.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise that he was a keen gardener, I was pleased to learn that, thank you.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place to explore!
ReplyDeleteIt is a place not too far away, and a garden we always love visiting.
DeleteSorry to hear it, my latest Mac hasn't thrilled me and I use to be a big fan.
ReplyDeleteThat is disappointing to learn.
DeleteMy Mac desk top is over 10 years old and living on borrowed time. I can no longer update programs and often can't open links. It is very annoying to have spent a lot of money on a piece of equipment and have the manufacturer render it useless. My washing machine and drier are both over 20 and still working and they cost a lot less than this particular computer.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way too - especially when I learn that they actually build it in the equipment. My computer man said they spend so much on research and development that they want their money back by making you buy a new one.
DeleteThose gates are gorgeous but that fountain is a little creepy. I hope you're back in the blogosphere soon!
ReplyDeleteI am rather on the side of not very hopeful at the moment - I can't resize my photos for blogger.
DeleteSuch a beautiful garden to visit on a lovely Spring day. Lifts one's spirits after a long winter. Cheers me too.
ReplyDeleteHope your computer problems are soon resolved.
Me too Betty.
DeleteLovely place and always nice to be beside water on a warm day. Sorry to hear about your computer and hope you have an external back up although its always hard to know what to save. My old cooker lasted 30 years my new one hopefully five so I just picked a mid price model, nothing too expensive.
ReplyDeleteI do have a backup which is going mad at the moment. I have a love/hate relationship with the computer and at the moment it is the later.
DeleteBuscot looks like a beautiful place to wander on a warm day. The way down to the lake with the stone stairs and the grassy, tree-lined paths is so inviting. Sorry about the computer woes - I hate the wasteful society we've created with appliances, phone, and computers that don't last. Wishing you luck as you research the options.
ReplyDeleteI also realise now how many things I have on the computer - insurance, bills etc, how do I access them if it dies completely.
DeleteWhat a wonderful peaceful garden. I hope your computer problems get sorted. You have me wondering what the expected age of a computer should be.
ReplyDeleteI read that three years is considered to be getting old, and five years you should think about getting a new one. Mine is 7½ years old.
DeleteLovely place and the garden is as well.
ReplyDeleteHope you get your computer sorted out and it may appear you need a new one..
Good luck and hopefully you not gone too long as I will miss you..
That is the trouble Margaret I don't know whether I can be bothered. At the moment I am feeling not too sure which way to go.
DeleteYour images of Buscot are beautiful and uplifting. It must be a pleasure to walk there especially now that we're experiencing a period of good weather. I hope you'll be able to resolve your computer problems and return soon. My computer issues continue. I can now get internet connection most of the time, but the computer itself is very slow which is frustrating when I want to work on my writing, sharing and commenting.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to learn that you are having issues too Linda - I have a love/hate relationship with the computer and at the moment it is the later that is to the fore.
DeleteI remember visiting Buscot on a very bleak April day. I’ve loved looking at your beautiful photos. Hope your computer problems are solved soon. B x
ReplyDeleteI wish you could have seen it in all of its glory as it is such a beautifully space, as you know. Unfortunately I was unable to show all of the photos because of my problems. Not sure yet whether they can be resolved. I know that the real answer is a new computer!
DeleteI have been three times in England and never visited an English garden.I feel frustrated with this and looking at those stunning places I always regret missing them out. Hope I will able in the future.
ReplyDeleteIf you do come again specifically to do the gardens Olympia, then I would suggest that you think about getting overseas subscription to the National Trust. This would give you access to lots of wonderful gardens, Buscot being one of them.
DeleteSo useful to know! Thank you Rosemary!
Delete♡
DeleteDear Rosemary - I especially like walking in the dappled shade beneath the fresh green and looking at the reflections in the lake at this beautiful Buscot. I feel waste of time whenever I deal with computer troubles forgetting I’ve received how much benefit I've had from the computer as well. Good luck and feel better maybe with a new computer.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your question on my latest post; whisk vigorously the powdered green tea with hot water, and the tea becomes frothy.
Yoko
Whisk using "bamboo tea whisk."
DeleteIt really is a new computer that I need Yoko, you are right. At the moment I just feel completely fed up with computers, and wondering if I want to start all over again. I must bide my time and think about it.
DeleteThank you for the information re: the bamboo tea whisk.
Oh dear, according to Housman, I am now on borrowed time! A gentle reminder to make the most of precious time and enjoy the seasons too. Buscot is beautiful, and I particularly love the fresh green colour of an English Spring - something we do not see here. The fountain had me a bit puzzled at first, but it sits very well in its setting.
ReplyDeleteWe are fortunate today that the average age for both men and women has risen substantially -
DeleteSeveral people have mentioned being confused by the fountain and one found it creepy. I see it as a playful putti and a dolphin having fun together.
Oh how I understand your computer problems !! I have the same kind of long distance conversations with my son to solve computer stuff...almost always without solving it ( due to my incapacity ). Enjoying the moment is definitely the way we should live , and something you think more about as you get older .
ReplyDeleteI am glad that I am not alone Jane, I find it very reassuring to think that others are having to cope with similar problems to me. I have been mostly plodding alone quite happily when suddenly out of the blue I find myself confronted with technicalities that I do not know how to deal with.
DeleteDear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteNothing is more rewarding than walking in dappled sunshine. You have captured the scenes so beautifully. I want to step right into your pictures and take a long walk amongst the trees.
Take the bull by his horns and get a new computer. My Dell is more than 10 years old and still going strong.
I have a computer guru come by every few months. He "cleans up" my messes.
Please do not forsake us. I look forward to each and every one of your posts.
Dear Gina - I know that you are right and that I should get a new computer but I am feeling undermined this week with all of the problems that keep cropping up. I am not going to do anything in haste will just bide my time and see what happens. At least, at the moment, I can comment both here and on other blogs - it is my photos that are giving me trouble.
DeleteWhat splendid vistas, a balm for the soul!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed you're back online asap.
Thank you so much Jayne - I am really hoping that my problems can be resolved, and as you mention 'fingers crossed'.
DeleteBeautiful! Love your photos Rosemary :)
ReplyDeleteWarm hug from Titti
Thank you Titti - have a lovely weekend♡
DeleteWonderful place.
ReplyDeleteTanks for these gorgeous photos.
Have a nice weekend
Hugs
Maria from
Divagar Sobre Tudo um Pouco
♡
DeleteI'm sorry that the computer has been causing problems. Your post was beautiful enough for me to decide to look up Buscot House - I had thought I'd been there before but clearly I must be thinking of somewhere else. We were not so very far from it a week or two ago. Good luck with getting the technology under control and look forward to more posts soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny - I am really hoping that the problem may have been solved - fingers crossed.
DeleteDearest Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteYou live in such a charming area and it makes for plenty of interesting walks and lots of photo options!
Well, as of yesterday, Memorial day, I managed to finish my Mega scanning project. My dear Mom's handwritten letters were the final letters. I'd started out with Pieter's Mom's letters written from 1983 on. Some more dear family members and friends in-between and only till 2010 as really from then on the Internet has taken the place of handwriting. Sad in a way as it is an art and shows lots of class. I've trashed some sloppily written letters from some people as I don't want to strain my eyes for making something out of it...
Love my Apple Mac and also my MacBook. I let Pieter read the letters one final time as he's only using the iPad, not the MacBook or iMac. It gave him great pleasure too and in a couple of days he will have caught up.
Sending you hugs and best wishes for your continuation with happy blogging!
Mariette