Monday, May 19, 2014

A visit to Northern parts then back home again.

A couple of weeks ago I travelled up north, to visit a friend of mine in Lancashire. Her art studio looks out onto the impressive Pendle hill.  Pendle being of course, home to the famous Lancashire witch trials back in 1612.
I won't go into detail about the witch trials, as that would need a blog post of it's own. It's incredibly fascinating and tragic reading about these people, so please do take some time to Google them or get a book from the library, or click on my link above.
We visited the tiny village of Newchurch where the Demdike's, one of the witch families, originated.
There is a small shop here selling very touristy witch souvenirs. The church  has a mysterious eye set into the tower, which some say is to ward off evil.
We then went a few miles just across the border into Yorkshire, to Haworth, home of the Bronte's.The Bronte sisters grew up and lived here at the Parsonage.
Right in front of the house stands an impressive gothic looking graveyard. (If you can call a graveyard impressive, maybe it's not really appropriate to?)  So many lives cut short too early, so many child deaths. It was tragic and sad to see. The Bronte's must have been reminded of death constantly living here.  An atmosphere hung about the place. I got the feeling I was in a novel while walking among the stones, as the rooks called and watched from high above in the trees. It must be even more moody in November when the mist from the moors sweep in. I would imagine the ghosts of the past are even stronger then.
We followed the path to the pretty stream and the Bronte bridge.
Past this rather lovely weather vane.
I bid a "good afternoon" to a fair Yorkshire lass and her bairns.
And then we reached the bridge.
Here, along with the waterfall nearby, it is said, that Charlotte, Emily and Anne used to visit and sit. Maybe Mr Rochester or Heathcliff  was first thought of here?... The original bridge was sadly damaged by floods in 1989, so the slabs on top are new additions.
I paddled in the stream, letting the swirling water tell it's own tales around my ankles.
Back in Howarth, we browsed in 'The Rose & Co Apothecary'. I think all shops should look like this, don't you?

Across the border to Lancashire again, we visited Wycoller. A very small and very pretty village. Here the ruin of a hall stands which is believed to be the inspiration for 'Ferndean Manor' in Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre. 
I wonder what Christmas was like in this hall. On a snowy moonlit night, I wonder if you might catch the echoes of a tune?
This area reminded me of Dartmoor in many ways. The streams, well trod ancient bridges, moss covering stone, the marshy landscape and moorland.
It was lovely to get away, meet up with friends and see a different landscape.
                                                                          ~ *~
Back home the bluebells and ramsoms (wild garlic) carpeted the dappled sunlit woodlands of Wiltshire. We followed a deer track through the quiet woods and entered the realm of Faerie. Or so it felt like. Nothing can beat the magic of a bluebell wood.
Since I last wrote here the garden and hedgerows have bloomed. The apple blossom has been and gone, along with the cowslips. We've had the most gorgeous full moon, sunny weather, my daughter has had her prom and I've been serenaded by a song thrush most evenings. 
I captured some of it's song here for you to hear too.
Now in the garden, the hawthorn is in blossom. I found these two May bugs (cockchafer) in love. :-) 
I've been busy quietly working on my hangers, and I'm now pleased to say that the hares are now finished. Yay! They seem to have taken me forever this time. For anyone interested in buying one, I will be adding them to my Etsy shop this Thursday 22nd May at 8pm (UK time) 
There are 22 of them, but I won't show them all here as this post is probably already long enough? I will add more pictures on my Facebook page though in between now and Thursday. 
 Some details, beads bells and moons.  
See you soon! x

12 comments:

  1. Beautiful place to visit. I loved Haworth when we went there for an A level English trip!

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  2. Welcome to my stomping ground! I live in the next valley to Wycoller - there is so much magic and witchery round here - think that's why I love it so much! Looks like you have a lovely visit. The bluebells are out here too, a most glorious scent and sight. I love this time of the year.

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  3. What an interesting place, I'm not familiar with places up north, this place seems very spooky but I'd like to visit there. :) I agree with you about the shop. I love shops that look like this, there's something about them as though they hold many secrets behind those intriguing windows.
    I love the new hares, they'll surely leap out of the shop the minute you list them!
    Jess x

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  4. Gorgeous post Wonderful.writing, thankyou Emma xxxx

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  5. What a picture perfect post and fascinating story along with the pictures. The hares are really beautiful. Have a great week.

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  6. Sigh....I love your life...such beauty and magic you have so close. Thank you for shairng.

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  7. Such mystical and marvelous grounds you be a walking .
    Is sad the persecutions and fear some harbor of magical ways .
    Living in New England now ( lived in England a bit when I was younger too) I have been to Salem another town that was once historical with hysteria about the magical.
    Very much enjoyed the beauty , mystery and magic of your photos and story.
    Be Well,
    Willow

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  8. I like your photos of the bluebell woods, and especially like the tour of Bronte country. The ruined hall has stories to tell. Your rabbits are magical.

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  9. Oh, what a trip! Wonderful Pendle and Newchurch. I wonder did you manage to see the witch on the side of the hill? She's not always easy to see but was pointed out to me by the lady from Witches Galore. I've been to Pendle a few times but only recently went to Haworth and it was everything and more that I'd dreamt it would be - so wonderful to walk where Emily's feet had trodden in the past and to imagine her visiting the Rose & Co. shop, in its previous incarnation. The smell in there made me feel like I was transported back in time. There are so few special shops like that any more. Thank you for sharing your trip and bringing back so many happy memories for me.
    And your new hares are absolutely stunning & I love the new designs. They look so magical all hanging there together before they run off to their new homes :)

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  10. My mother lived across the field from Wycoller for 28 years, its a fabulous area, so much to see, I really miss it.

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  11. What lovely, lovely photos! Loved them all and the hares too! Great post!

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  12. Thank you for sharing the thrush's song. I've only read about it in novels. A lovely post.--hart

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