Tuesday 3 May 2016

Babel of Struggling through the A-Z ...




The Babel of the A-Z is over … so well done all for successfully completing another year – I really missed it … but am ready: one big project over for 2017!

Ruins of Babylon as seen from Saddam Hussein's
Summer Palace ... don't let our world get like this?!

I will be happy to read your Reflections … always interesting to see everyone’s views … but to take you away from your sheer exhaustion … I shall be whisking you off to South Africa in a few days for some much needed R & R …


A Cornish Hedgerow or verge ...
foxgloves and cow parsley happily growing ... 



For now some more delights of the English countryside … the land we love when we are in it … but which is not appreciated by so so many of us …





English landscape with lots of field hedges

Hedgerows … varied … and essential against the stormy winds, protect our animals … giving extra homes to our insects, birds and wildlife …




Church at Hollington, St Leonards,
East Sussex (Stained Glass Window by
Jean-Baptiste Capronnier)

Country Churches … so many, so much history and memories … wonderful stained glass windows created by medieval or recent artists …




Stone Barn


Stone Barns … barn coming from Old English bere, for barley (or grain in general), and aern, for a storage place …





Oats in various forms - threshed and
winnowed, seed heads ... 

… a place to store unthreshed cereals and fodder … riddling our landscape … sadly some in dire need of repair …





Oxeye daisies in a verge ... 


Verges full of Wild Flowers … cow parsley, daisies, thrift, foxglove, teasels, bluebells, field scabious … and others: see – Bob Scotney’sA-Z posts this year …



Sheep on the Cumbrian Fells 


Sheep roaming over windswept fells … you’ll see lots of these next year and learn a few things …



Glamis post office and village shop in Scotland
(where the Queen Mother had her castle)




Village shops and post offices … so often the heart of villages … ‘gossip’, but keeping an eye on the community, selling or promoting produce available, stamps and letter or parcel collection, cash providers once banks had closed …





Little Sutton, Northamptonshire PO and shop

…. some wonderful communities are getting together to support their local villagers – perhaps even taking shares in the new project … volunteers manning and helping out …


New potatoes - Irish Reds ... 




Different to our lives 60 or 70 years ago ... but then that’s change …





Path through early summer greens - at Old Sarum
We just need to help all peoples to understand the need for our countryside, our villages, our farming communities … to see how life has grown and developed – the history of our lives, as well as how beneficial all these areas are …





A small holding for sale in Wales ... some
repair needed to these barns
Let us celebrate our countryside and our way of life … celebrate individuality – we all need to be creative and not follow the crowd … let us lead … let us keep our nature intact and not destroy our original habitat ... 

Very fresh vegetables and no doubt fruit
from Roberts Farm Shop, Kidderminster



… let us value people, animals, insects, and all things – and then encourage our friends and families to do likewise …




Deniz Bevan of The Girdle of Melian blog - has been writing about The Inklings (literary enthusiasts) ... including Tolkien, C S Lewis ... and others ... in this post there is a lovely description of England in the 1920s ... 



Dappled sun on a woodland ... teeming with
wildlife and bird song ... 
... walking the paths, with very little extraneous noise ... just the scrunch of feet on the ground, insects buzzing ...  keeping the birds chirping their songs for a good birding supper ... then the humans can have another happy discussion over a china tea cup, or a pint in the pub ... 


Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

70 comments:

Bob Scotney said...

Thanks for the link, Hilary. Some lovely associations to the beauty of the UK hers.

Lynn said...

You do live in an enchanted country! So beautiful.

Mason Canyon said...

Hilary, enjoyed this post. I feel like I've just taken a quick stroll through the countryside and what a beautiful place it is. I love the old churches and stone barns.

Murees Dupè said...

I love how green it is. Those green rolling fields, beautiful. My mom and I always say it would be nice to live in a small English village. We love the charm it offers.

jabblog said...

'The best country in the world!' so says my husband who always loved returning to England from business trips abroad to hot and hostile places. I don't need to travel away to appreciate our lovely homeland.

Misha Gerrick said...

Looking forward to seeing what you're going to share of my home. :-)

Out on the prairie said...

Farmers have taken out the fences and hedgerows here and the loss of habitat has been terrible for wildlife.I miss seeing many things we used to take for granted.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Bob - it's a pleasure you had a good list of wildflowers during the A-Z - giving us some really interesting information about each of them too ...

@ Lynn - yes, we do live in an enchanted country - couldn't agree more ... particularly now the warmth appears to have come!

@ Mason - thanks so much ... and that's really what I intended a wander through our countryside ... all the old just makes it special, so am delighted you enjoyed the post ...

@ Murees - yes we are a green country ... and it is beautiful - it'd be fun to see you and your mother over here for a holiday and to spend some time in one of our villages ...

@ Janice - wonderful agreement - I must agree coming home is special. Your hubby must have appreciated being back safe and sound ... no, we do have lots of nooks and crannies in our countryside to enjoy just round the corner - I feel the same ...

@ Misha - ah yes - South Africa is the next destination .. I wonder what my South African friends say!!

@ Steve - you would understand with your love of nature ... the loss the world has experienced through all the grubbing out ... I miss things too ...

Thanks everyone - so glad our little England countryside impacts on you ... today it is gorgeous ... I remember coming back from the States on a day like today and a few days later travelling from London to Cornwall through the lanes - the sun streaming through, the hedges ablaze with Spring plants, that journey has lived on in my memory bank for many a decade ... cheers Hilary

Fil said...

A lovely post Hilary - thank you for the reminder to look around us and appreciate what we have. Over recent years driving around the motorways in Ireland and the UK it breaks my heart to see all our beauty being mowed down by more roads and more buildings... Even the hill of Tara, the ancient centre of Ireland, had a motorway built through it. Our governments are no longer our guardians I feel, just mouthpieces for more money to be made by the rich. But on a positive note, we're seeing a return of bumble bees this year which is a good sign.
Fil

Joanne said...

I could feel my blood pressure go down as I read this post. I wanted to wander amongst the hedgerows, hear the scrunch of feet on the path. Very calming and an excellent post about preserving natural habitats, etc. There has to be common sense used in "progress".

Yolanda Renée said...

I always longed to visit England. I watch every show filmed there, just to observe the countryside, the villages, the history. Someday, maybe, but what a wonderful adventure via your blog, thank you!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Nice trip through the English countryside. Hopefully I get to return again one day. Looking forward to South Africa!

Jo said...

You are conjuring up delightful memories Hilary. The English countryside can be so beautiful, especially at this time of year.

janice h said...

Thanks Hilary...I feel like I've just been on a jaunt! Must be tired, though - I failed your spam robot test twice!

Anabel Marsh said...

Lovely selection of images. I missed doing A to Z too, but still enjoyed reading others' posts.
The Glasgow Gallivanter

A Heron's View said...

I grieve whenever I see old hedges removed. This happened recently near me on borders of a new house. The roadside hedge was ripped out, a wooden fence was erected and new hedging plants were placed behind the fence - totally crazy and so sad!

Chrys Fey said...

Wow. The countryside is stunning. I want to go there and just relax for a week. Or a month. ;)

Paula said...

Some beautiful pictures of your countryside! I especially loved the churches and the stone buildings. I am glad the A to Z is over. I want to plan ahead for next year!!

H. R. Sinclair said...

Nice little day trip. :) I can't wait for the South African adventure you will take us on!

Liza said...

Such wonderful pictures. I love traveling with you!

D.G. Hudson said...

I like the sheep. And, of course, the village buildings. Retaining a sense of history is something we in North America could do more of. I see too many heritage buildings being demolished rather than restored. I was happy to see you stop by my blog during the A to Z! I hope all went well with you during the month of April. It seemed to fly by for me. . .

klahanie said...

Hi Hilary,

Humble apologies for my absence on your site. Although I know you relate to the A to Z, sadly, it depresses me that much that this year I mostly went into hiding. Still, indeed, well done to those who got involved.

The delights of this green and pleasant land, described so well with your words and accompanying photos.

Take care, my kind friend.

Gary

Vallypee said...

A lovely post with beautiful reminders of how beautiful and rich England is!

Deniz Bevan said...

Thanks for the mention, Hilary! Love your celebration of the countryside. I hope a lot of it can still be preserved. I know with population growth and the food needs of so many that it gets more and more difficult...but beauty and green spaces (not concrete highrises everywhere!) are important for human souls too...

Annalisa Crawford said...

I love seeing so many wild flowers around at this time of the year, but ashamedly, I don't know the names of very many. I'll have to hunt down my old I-Spy books for help. Do you remember those books? I loved them as a child, but - apparently - didn't learn much from them!

Looking forward to visiting South Africa with you :-)

Patsy said...

A walk through the woods listening to birdsong is one of those pleasures we tend to take for granted. We should do what we can to ensure this is something people will always be able to enjoy.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Karen – I hope you are able to get over sometime …

@ Fil – we do dash around don’t we and don’t stop to look, or smell the air, and the scents in nature. Yes, swathes of our land do get cut up – that constant need to provide a ‘dash-link’ to another part of the country. I have to say driving to Cornwall is a lot easier now – but all the people whose lives have been disrupted along the route – does make it difficult: that I can see.

That’s great your bumble bees are returning … I’ve seen quite a lot of insects here too …

@ Joanne – that’s wonderful and so good to know. Thankfully we do still have some wonderful, maybe tiny but there, areas to wander, and scrunch along. And yes change will occur – but as you say it’d be good to have common sense with it.

@ Yolanda – I do hope you can get here … I’m just glad I give you an added view to your programme or film watching …

@ Alex – thank you – it’d be good to see you here. Yes the South African post will be interesting – to see everyone’s comments!

@ Jo – that’s good … and yes the countryside is the best at this time of year … it is gorgeous now …

@ Janice – that’s great to know … sorry about the spam robot – you don’t need to use it! Usually it’s not necessary …

@ Anabel – glad you enjoyed the images .. slightly different to the Scottish ones. I had to pull out of the A-Z – I was all ready and rarin’ to go … sadly life intervened. It’s always interesting seeing others’ themes etc ..

@ Mel – I do too and the swathes of land churned up … I don’t think many people realise how important these ancient parts of our land are … they protect us in so many ways.

Your roadside hedge story is awful … and I too would be horrified at that … and yes: totally crazy and sad.

@ Chrys – we do live in idyllic land … I hope the SA adventure satisfies as much …

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Paula – thanks .. the churches and barns dot our landscape and dry stone walls. Inadvertently I’m organised for next year – having not done it this year …

@ Holly – thank you … we could wander around, visit a pub, and see lots of attractive places, as well as historical areas … the SA trip is not far away now!

@ Liza – many thanks .. so glad you’re happy to travel with me …

@ DG – lots of sheep! We could do more here .. but thankfully there are a lot of people who do care and protect as best they can – some restoring, some protecting as the buildings over time crumble – but that’s nature and has been happening for centuries.

Thanks – I thoroughly enjoyed you’re a-Z on authors .. catching up on a few I knew, then learning about others …

@ Gary – I know you hate the A-Z … some of us love it! But I didn’t do it this year –having to pull out as life over took me … but our little England is a delight, especially at this time of year … good to see you visit …

@ Val – yes we are rich in our varied landscapes and ancient occupations …

@ Deniz – your Tolkien posts have been brilliant – thoroughly enjoyed the learning curve.

I too hope our countryside can be preserved and not messed around with too much – but life does go on and we seem to need ‘new’ things – homes, buildings etc … and definitely not concrete highrises … but there are some wonderful ecological concepts coming along … let’s hope they work and protect us more …

@ Annalisa – I was too ‘old’ for I-Spy books .. we did have reference books, but my parents were pretty knowledgeable and something must have sunk in … though I definitely need to add to my brain index …

Check out Bob’s A-Z this year – see link in the post … and Patsy has her gardening blog … and I usually let everyone know what the plants are … http://patsysplot.blogspot.co.uk/

@ Patsy – you popped in just at the right moment – I was wanting your gardening blog … and you’re so right about walking through the woods listening to birdsong. We do need to protect for others … but I worry about how many appreciate what we have, or understand its significance …

Thanks so much to you all – our land is so important for our earth’s future … cheers and enjoy Spring springing in the northern hemisphere … cheers Hilary

Nicola said...

Thank you for a delightful post, Hilary. Now I'm homesick :) I do love the feeling I get when I return to my homeland. Makes my skin tingle. My family live in Herefordshire and so I can relate to a lot of the things you write about.

Truedessa said...

Thanks for sharing the lovely photo's. The countryside is so enchanting. I would like to walk that path in dappled sun to listen to the bird song.

Diana Wilder said...

Those ravishing photos tell me I must visit the English countryside for a decent stretch of time, not just a week. I have a photo taken...hmmm... Half my lifetime ago, in Ireland, at the top of some fortress or other (I avoided the Blarney Stone, let me say). I believe it might have been somewhere in The Rock of Cashel.

At any rate, the photo shows the countryside stretching away, bounded by hedges, fences... Rather like those hedgerows in that lovely photograph. And your last paragraph...

It is spring, I must go for a walk and smell the breeze and the lilies of the valley, and the wind.

Thank you!

janice h said...

Hi Hilary, just doing the experiment you suggested! Fingers crossed x

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Yes, "let us value people, animals, insects, and all things..." I love that. Your blog is and continues to be an inspiration and a learning tool. Thanks for all you do, Hilary. BTW, my blogroll isn't working. Does that ever happen to you? I'm disappointed in how few solutions there are online.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I just love all of the churches and old buildings. They have so much personality.

cleemckenzie said...

I always feel so at home in England. I love that countryside and the paths that lead to other paths that lead to the local pub or village. I keep thinking I could live there and be very happy indeed. Again your images are such a tonic!

M Pax said...

I would love to visit the English countryside. I feel I have through your many posts. It really is enchanting.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

The countryside is so beautiful. I hate seeing those old barns falling apart. Thanks for sharing the lovely pictures.

Susan Says

Denise Covey said...

Hi Hilary! Britain is so quaint compared to the New World. We Down Under adore watching TV programs such as Escape to the Country and documentary-style programs on Britain. So many ancient places come alive and awake an urge to visit. So much more of England and Wales I've yet to discover...Thanks for your posts which also stoke my travel fires.

Wishing you all the best.

Denise :-)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

You are making me want to travel again!! The UK is one of my favourite places and I would love to go back there again one day.

Michelle Wallace said...

Beautiful pictures, Hilary!
There is such character in those old buildings/churches/barnyards...like the Stone Barn!!
I love the quaint Corner Shop...it has a wonderful connotation for me!
It hints at so many untold story possibilities which are lurking ...waiting to be found (depending on the history of the area), or waiting to be created (depending on the author's imagination)! LOL
The picturesque image of that Little Sutton, Northamptonshire PO and shop is so captivating too!
Writer In Transit

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Nicola – Herefordshire is a beautiful county – perhaps one of the more beautiful … so can understand you being homesick. Yes – I feel the same way when I cross the border to Cornwall … and remember my years of visiting and seeing my mother there … so pleased you enjoyed the post ..

@ Truedessa – am glad the post resonated with your poet’s heart …

@ Diana – I agree there … a visit for a decent time, exploring and understanding an area is essential. Ireland is beautiful – exquisitely so – and you’ve that memory of the countryside stretching away … the tiny fields, boundaries of hedges, small coppices …

It is definitely time to get out and walk … and the weather is warming up ..

@ Janice – glad that’s sorted! Thanks.

@ Joylene – I keep reminding us all that we need to value life .. in all its forms. Delighted with your comment – thank you.

My blogroll – sorry you’ll have to ask someone else … I’ve no idea … I don’t use it …

@ Diane – the ancient buildings could be brought to life with personality … great idea …

@ Lee – England is small and comforting … it can get ‘hairy’ – but if we’re not in that mode or state of life ... it is gorgeous. Living in a small village with a common and those lanes to the pub or village shop … I hope we can keep them for many a century longer … Delighted to see the images are a tonic – thanks!

@ Mary – the countryside is lovely and enchanting - thanks for enjoying the read of the posts … various.

@ Susan - … the barns just haven’t been needed and so do deteriorate … but add to the landscape in a way. So glad you enjoyed the photos …

@ Denise – I know you’ve been travelling … China doesn’t really compare to Aus and to the UK does it … but you understand our quaintness here. I too have loads of places to visit and spend time in … after your comment – perhaps we’ll see you here?!

@ Lynda – travel is a wonderful idea … and I do hope you can get back sometime …

@ Michelle – thanks … the well-worn buildings, or loved through their restoration make the countryside. The village shops that stand out and draw us in are a delight.

Stories and tales are to be found here – that you’re right about … our framework – your imagination … it looks like Virginia Creeper on Little Sutton’s frontage …

Thanks everyone ... perhaps these images will fire your creative skills for some stories or poems, or songs even … cheers Hilary

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

You are so amazing with your coverage of your homeland. My sister and her husband left today to visit the British Isles. I hope they will find some of these wonderful stops you profile so well. I should have sent her a link to your blog but didn't think of it until just now.

Happy travels to South Africa. Thanks for visiting my "hearts"!
Mary Montague Sikes
Notes Along the Way
The Artful Way

Ann Carbine Best said...

I just LOVE the landscape ... and everything else England. I'm now going to follow the link to Deniz's post... cheers from me and Jen

Lisa said...

What a lovely post. It served its purpose and took me away to a land I truly love and wish I could visit more often. If I ever get rich... Haha! Thanks Hilary, for coming by my blog. Have you thought of putting a sign in to follow your blog by email, or have I missed that somewhere? I would love to have your posts in my "in" box... My parents are over there where you are right now visiting Scotland, and staying with friends in Birmingham. They are also going to the races on the Isle of Man later! Soooo wish I was with them right now.

Suzanne Furness said...

Such wonderful countryside views. The hedgerows are looking so pretty here at the moment. And Flora Day this weekend, a big local celebration.
Will check out Deniz's post.

Romance Reader said...

I loved this post and the interesting information. Enjoyed reading through. Thanks so much!

Christine Rains said...

What a delightful post! One day I would love to drive the English countryside. :)

dolorah said...

My job has me driving through a lot of Western USA. I need to stop sometimes and just enjoy the scenery. Its hard to see what tourists see.

Empty Nest Insider said...

Once again you've given us an outstanding tour of the lovely English countryside, Hilary!

I enjoyed learning more about this historical landscape that must continue to be preserved.

Julie

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Monti - thanks so much .. I'll be interested to hear how your sister and BIL enjoy their time here. They'll be going where they want to visit, and I'm sure will find these tiny villages and scenes along their way, or while there ...

I'm only doing a vicarious travel trip to a delightful place (taking you with me!) ... sadly not jetting off to South Africa ... I'm looking forward to seeing your finished canvas.

@ Ann - delighted you and Jen have enjoyed the views here ... Deniz' blog has some wonderful descriptions as given us by The Inklings ...

@ Lisa - that's wonderful to read .. that you can be transported across the pond and want to revisit - let's hope you will be able to sometime soon: I feel certain you will!!

I'm not sure how to put an email thingy under or by the blog - but it is something I must address ... and will do during the summer.

Your parents are travelling and I hope the weather is being kind to them - Scotland has been freezing recently, but now it's warming up! I guess they're going to the TT races on the Isle of Man (Motor Cycle Racing) - it's a very well supported Trophy - lucky parents! What fun to hear about later on ... when they get home.

@ Suzanne - I so miss Cornwall and the West Country at this time of year ... yay - the Flora Day coming up .. looks like the weather will be wonderful ... enjoy it - lucky you!!

@ Nas - good to see you .. and thanks I'm happy to see you enjoyed your read through.

@ Christine - I hope you and the family can get over sometime ... the countryside is so different ...

@ Donna - that's good to read that you'll be stopping on occasions to take in your own scenery and see what we, as tourists, might see ... sometimes we so often get caught up in the rush of life - it'll be interesting to hear your thoughts after doing that ...

@ Julie - many thanks ... so pleased you appreciate our little land with all its history threaded through the landscape ...

We really need to preserve our landscape - so so true ...

Lovely to see you all - and I hope you can all take a trip sometime and see this part of the world ... cheers Hilary

Gattina said...

I love the landscapes and the little villages in the UK ! I have seen quite a lot already, but still don't have enough. Fortunately there is "Escape to the country" !

Rosalind Adam said...

You make me nostalgic for a life I've never had. I've always lived in the City of Leicester and have only experienced those countryside delights by 'going for a Sunday afternoon drive'. I do hope they don't close those post offices. As you say, community is so important and they hold it together.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

The countryside has so many beautiful vistas, doesn't it? Like Rosalind, I am mostly city-bred although I have spent lovely times in rural areas -- but everything bites our there! :-)

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

I'm so sorry you weren't able to participate in the A-Z this year; I know how much you enjoy doing it. But just look at you! I dare say, you're probably the only person in the whole world who's already primed and ready for NEXT year's challenge.

I love that you're so aware of how beautiful your area is, and how interesting its history. You make everything sound absolutely enchanting. Thanks for letting us all see it through your eyes and words.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Gattina - yes you've travelled to a few places ... nothing like visiting the real thing though ..

@ Ros - I'd love to be back in the country .. probably that's why I hanker after Cornwall - but Eastbourne is almost the best of both worlds: town and country and very near London.

Afternoon drives - lots of people do those.

Community is essential and it's proving its point via these villages - so good to read about all that's going on ..

@ Roland - yes our countryside here is very special ... but then I love Africa and I'm sure if I knew more about Aus and North America there are some stunning areas.

I forget about all the bitey things in your bush .. and yes I'd stay in the city I think ... glad you've appreciated the rural areas you have visited ...

@ Susan - welcome back from your break. I know it's extraordinary to be ready for the 2017 A-Z Challenge ... however as you rightly note I was so looking forward to this year's Challenge - I really didn't like missing it.

Thank you - I've always enjoyed the countryside - lucky in being brought up in the country then - before the concrete caught up with my home area! Now I'm really much more aware of the damage 'us humans' are doing to our planet - and so I give these nudges as a reminder for us all ..

Thank you for your words ...

Cheers to you - and have a happy weekend - Gattina, Ros and I will be enjoying some beautiful weather!! - Hilary

Keith's Ramblings said...

It's good to remind ourselves how fortunate we are to live in this glorious country of ours. I see a lot of countries - it's what I do! Now and again though I remind myself to take a look at what lies a few steps from our door. Only today when I walked along the sea shore from Bexhill to Eastbourne I felt truly blessed. Later this year I'm travelling from Cape Town to the Victoria Falls. I guess that will be a little different from Sussex!

You mentioned a while a go a possible meet up in Pevensey. I've been a unable to get the link to your email to enable me to respond!

Visit Keith's Ramblings

Linda said...

The countryside, farmland, old barns and stone churches are so beautiful. I love the use of the words "dappled sun". I don't seem to hear that much these days.

Susan Kane said...

Oh, so green! History abounds and the past revered. How I miss Ireland. And England.

Juliet said...

What a charming walk through the countryside. I especially like the hedges — they stood out when I first visited England after coming from NZ, where fences are used mostly. The little paths are lovely too.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Keith – it’s good isn’t it – this little country of ours. You’re lucky if you’re visiting other countries and bet you see them in a studied light as you visit. The seashore walk – must have been wonderful – especially in this weather.

How fantastic travelling from Cape Town to Vic Falls – I remember it well .. and is definitely different from Sussex – have fun.

The email pops up in the left hand corner and then one needs to copy across to be able to email … it doesn’t link in … I’ll get things sorted this summer I hope.

@ Linda – it’s good to remind ourselves of the treats and treasures buried deep in our landscape. I agree “dappled sun” does describe that aspect of the sun finding its way to the path we’re on … am glad you enjoyed the phrase.

@ Susan – yes it is very green … especially right now as our trees and shrubs burst their leaves out. I bet you miss Ireland – that’s even greener and is stunningly beautiful too – in a different way …

@ Juliet – good to see you … am happy you enjoyed the wander around. The hedges are brilliant aren’t they – so many having survived centuries. Fences are fine and can be very pretty – but I think I prefer hedges with tiny paths running alongside …

Cheers to you – have happy weekends and if you’re here in the UK enjoy this first proper weekend of summer sunshine … bliss!! Thanks for the visits - Hilary

Jean Davis said...

Love all the flower pictures. And barns made of stone, haven't seen those before. What a lovely countryside!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Jean - the flowers, the hedgerows and those barns are dotted around the countryside - where they were needed in the good old days! It is gorgeous ... cheers and thanks for visiting - Hilary

Susan Scott said...

Lovely post Hilary thank you. Every reason for there to be a passion about preserving the beautiful English countryside ... no wonder so much poetry has emerged from these idylls ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan - thank you ... I like to remind us all about our earthly paradise and helping to preserve life ... so it will continue.

We certainly have some amazing pastoral literature and poems ... reminding us of different eras in the centuries as time goes on ..

Cheers Hilary

Jeffrey Scott said...

The ruins of Babylon is a very cool photo.
It's always neat to hear how some of these words we use come to be. Bereaern.
Looks like a cool corner shop.

Juliet said...

I thought I had left a comment, but it hasn't appeared, so here goes again. When I first visited England I loved to see all the hedges. In New Zealand we have fences, but the hedges give a cosy look to the landscape.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Jeffrey - yes thankfully it appeared and I could use the site of Babylon's ruins. I love the etymology of words ... and those corner shops that have reinvigorated themselves for the villages they serve - all good to see.

@ Juliet - you have it's just up a few comments above my last 'largish' reply one ... thanks though for doing it again .. the hedges are lovely aren't they ..

Cheers to you both - Hilary

Juliet said...

Oh, there it is Hilary! I do like the way you respond to everyone who comments, and appreciate your reply to mine.

scarlett clay said...

Such a beautiful country, I hope I can see more of it in the future! Would especially love to see some of the countryside to the south next visit over. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend, Hilary. We're having a good rain here in Texas and we are thankful to get it when we can. :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Juliet - yes it was there .. just mixed amongst the others .. I try and be a good blogger! But thank you ...

@ Scarlett - I hope one day you can get over and experience South Africa - the Cape area is magnificent ... as too the bush and its widllife ...

Oh that's wonderful to read - that you're having good rains ... it will make a difference ..

Cheers to you both - lovely to see you - Hilary