We had a prompt (Upstairs Downstairs) for our reading group … and to my surprise … no-one thought about the famous tv series 'Upstairs Downstairs' for that particular prompt (before Maggie Smith died).
Me … I just kept on with the way I've been going this year … very slow, but not ponderous in thought … Nursery Rhymes came to my fore …
Might be American spelling!
The Grand Old Duke of York … Frederick Augustus, Duke of York and second son of King George III of England is the only member of the British Royal family to be immortalised in a nursery rhyme.
Goosey Goosey Gander …
whither shall I wander?
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall …
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall …
and then …
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| Looking up towards the ornate setting in Exeter Cathedral |
Hickory Dickory Dock …
the mouse ran up the clock …
twelve times, then that poor little mouse had to start all over again … such is the life of a little mouse …
Poor little mouse … has been kept very occupied these past weeks as I pondered on … but then the cat was more than encouraged to chase said mice (plenty born by this time!) through the new bell tower cat flap – the scampering rodents found their nemesis awaiting them …
A whiskery looking mouse -
that's actually a rat!
It is thought Hickory Dickory Dock came into prominence in the 1700s from Exeter Cathedral, which has an astronomical clock … and had had a small hole cut in its face for the resident cat to keep watch …
Steve Roud's book on
Folk Songs in England
History abounds through our nursery rhymes … apparently there are about 250,000 references to 25,000 songs collected for the Roud Index after World War Two … thankfully the oral traditions have been saved.
Beneath the main dial is an appropriate saying ...
PEREUNT ET IMPUTANTUR … the hours pass and are reckoned to our account.
As many hours have passed … I believe I am on the way to being back in the swing of things … so my next post will be the WEP October Horrorfest … mine will be a gentle tale – but do join us …
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| An early mechanism for the astronomical clock removed in 1885; but is restored and is in its current position for viewing purposes. |
Thanks for bearing with my slothful time away … I shall catch up and see you all soon …
Hickory Dickory Dock Nursery Rhyme ...
Exeter Cathedral Astronomical Clock ... which is thought to date from 1484
Please if you get can email advising you of a new post ... if you don't want it ... just let me know and I'll delete your name ... thanks ... or I can add yours in ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
