It seems like so long since I last wrote here... Looking at the date of the last post, it seems it is. Crikey almost a month, I think I must have broken a record, longest time between posts or something like that? (For this blog that is of course) I have no excuse at all, just that days have been passing too quickly and I've been feeling quite wordless and reflective. Happens often I've noticed this time of year and normally indicates my batteries need a little recharging. So Friday was declared a day off and we journeyed just across the border about 40 miles, 31 I believe, if I were to be travelling in a straight line? ;) to the very magical and spiritual Glastonbury.
I love all the interwoven tales connected with this special place, so have to pay a visit at least a couple of times a year. What a beautiful day it was, to walk up to the
Tor and gaze out upon the Somerset countryside.
At the top is the most wonderful view. We sat, enjoyed and watched black velvet crows circle, riding the warm summer breeze. In the distance we could see Wells cathedral and the extreme flatness of the Somerset levels stretching right out to the coast line.
This green and pleasant land is still so
very green for this time of year, after all the rain we have had this summer.
Looking down on to Glastonbury town.
In the town we browsed, wandering the many interesting shops and sat in quirky courtyard
cafe's decorated with hares, moons, angels, dragons and gold, for mugs of tea, vegetable samosas, and somerset cider.
I brought home lots of incense and an angel card to inspire...
***
Back here at home in Wiltshire, I've been busy working on the commissioned book illustrations. Here is a glimpse.....
Must put some flowers on the window sill on this one..
Have much still to do, I just wish I was a faster worker.
The garden is getting wilder and wilder and being taken over by majoram and fennel.
I was happy to see this bee enjoying the globe thistles this afternoon. In the Autumn I have plans to divide this large plant up and spread more around the garden to attract more bees.
In fact I have lots more plans for the garden this Autumn. Just need more time or 'Groundforce' to come and help me.
(Are they even still around, or am I just showing my age?)
x
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What lovely photo's. The paintings you are doing for the book are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI think this whole year has speeded up...the days and weeks are just flying by! You are not alone in feeling this !
Thanks homegirl. :) Yes the months have sped by. I'm still in May, I got left behind. x
DeleteYour illustrations look wonderful! So does the countryside in your part of the world.
ReplyDeleteThanks Clovie Boy. :) Yes the countryside is beautiful around these parts and I feel very lucky that's it on my doorstep.
DeleteThe illustrations are wonderful, amazing colours. I also could use "groundforce" in my garden. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you.x Yes, we'll all be in our gardens this Autumn managing things. I want mine wild, but not too wild in the sense that brambles have taken over everything. ;)
DeleteBeautiful photos. You can't be that far from me if you are only 31 miles from Glastonbury. I live in Somerset. Isn't everywhere green and we are fighting a losing battle with the wood next door to us which seems to want to take over our garden with brambles and nettles. If you get in touch with Ground Force send them over to me when they've done your garden! Good to see your lovely illustrations and if you worked them faster they might lose some of their lovely tranquil feel.
ReplyDeleteSomerset is such a pretty county, you are lucky to live there. :)x
DeleteHello Karen,
ReplyDeleteYour posts are worth waiting for, as I love the way you view the world and your writing is wonderful.....
I have a strong desire to visit Glastonbury and must put it on my wish list to do,one day!
I agree the year seems to be flying by too quickly and a very exciting and busy time is upon us at the moment.
I LoVe your illustrations for the new book Karen as they seem to be soo alive...
Wishing you a week full of inspiration Karen.
LoVe Maria x
Hello Maria... I do hope you get to visit Glastonbury one day, as it is very special. Thank you for your kind words about my pictures. Wishing you a wonderful week back. xx
DeleteLovely photos of Glastonbury, every year I say I must go there but haven't made it yet. I've been the same as you - just not able to put words and pictures together so I've been absent from blogland for a while too.
ReplyDeleteMy garden is a jungle too, it never looks good in August but I'm trying to get it back under control atm. I like globe thistles and have purple and white ones. The bees love my hypericum patulum henryii too, the buzzing noise when it's flowering is unbelievable:) Wouldn't want Groundforce anywhere near my garden to be honest:) Don't think they're around any more though.
It's strange isn't it how sometimes those words seem to just disappear. Or they don't disappear, they just slip down inside, or hide they are still there to come out at a later date. Our bodies telling us to be quiet for a while. :) Haha yes! now you've reminded me, I don't think I would want Groundforce in my garden either or changing rooms in my home! x
DeleteA lovely posting Karen. I too have majorum and it hums and sings with bees every day. So much so that I plan to have that, hyssop and dandelions around the garden.
ReplyDeleteIt is good for bees isn't it! Great idea Charlotte, I also plan to leave more wild things. A garden is not a garden unless it is alive with creatures. x
DeleteI have been absent from Bloggle~land for many months, and I returned yesterday, so happy to see you have returned too! A new hard drive means I can finally appreciate your beautiful blog properly and fully, with the music now playing . . yeyas! Result! Beautiful Glastonbury! ♥
ReplyDeletep.s. I thing Groundforce has a new incarnation, think it is called the Flowerpot Gang, or similar, with Anneka Rice, Joe Swift, and Phil Tufnell (why?) Makes me think more of Bill and Ben . . {giggles} . . and Little Weed . . leaving you to ponder and work this one out!
Ahh.. I haven't seen that new gardening show. Strange mix of people. ;)
DeleteEnjoy your new hard drive. Happy blogging Deborah. x
Love your Glastonbury images Karen, it seems such a magical place. Im so excited my lass is taking me there in the Autumn for a stop over visit, i have been longing to go for ever! I get spates of reflectiveness too and often a blog post just wont appear I have to sit it out and not get frustrated with myself ;-) The book illustrations are beautiful, i do love your style it has such a softness & gentleness about it, very otherworldly. Our garden has gone wild too ~ but mostly over grown with dandelions this year! I have to dash out beetween showers to try and keep it it tow,
ReplyDeleteOoh an Autumn trip sounds lovely Ruthie. What a special place to go with your daughter. You will love it there! Yes, blogging is a funny business sometimes isn't it. I shuffle back into my little hermit crab shell every so often. It's good to have little breaks though. x
DeleteOh I love Glastonbury and it's been such a long time since I was last there. You've prompted me to go again. Soon!
ReplyDeleteAn Autumn visit might be nice Tonia? :)
Deleteoh, such a wondrous landscape!! i so long to visit in England soon again. i truly would want to see the magical Glastonbury. thank you for posting these wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteDelila
Put it on your list for next time Delila. x
DeleteHi Karen, lovely to visit you here again! Looks like a fun illustration project, love the last one with the kitty - s/he has such a sweet and mischievous cat look. Ah, Glastonbury... its top on my list of places to visit whenever I get over to England. Glad to know you're close, maybe when I come ( in the who-knows-when future) we can share tea at a funky cafe! Do you have the phrase "as a crow flies?"
ReplyDeleteI have globe thistle in my garden, and this year it has popped up on the side of the path outside the bed... but I decided to leave it and let the wildness take over. I can think of worse things to be taking over your garden than marjoram and fennel. Hope your battering is recharging! (long comment... guess that's cause its been a month since I've visited!)
Yes that's a good idea. Let me know when you plan to come. :) We do indeed have the phrase 'as the crow flies' Now why didn't I use it in this post, it would have been appropriate.... forgot about it. Tired brain. ;) Thank you my battery is feeling a little more charged. x
DeleteWell, it happens sometimes: to feel wordless, without a mood for sharing, without the tiniest wish to talk about your feelings and your life... Just the necessity to keep silence for a while... Maybe you are right, Karen, about the season (I had a rest from blogging last August, just when I got free to spend more time in Internet)!
ReplyDeleteBut now you are back with lots of impressions from your wonderful journey! Thank you for the lovely photos that show us a different world, all in green and magic...
The illustrations look very beautiful, I hope you enjoy the work upon the book.:)
Happy August!!
Silence is good for us sometimes isn't it. There is far too much chatter and opinions in the world I often feel? It is nice to just be. :)
DeleteThanks for your kind words Rosshika, I'm glad you enjoyed sharing Glastonbury with me.x
I like the illustrations; they are so important to children. I truly believe they can change a child's thinking.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm glad that you like and yes I think you are right. :)
DeleteKaren, how lovely to see your pictures - we also traveled to Glastonbury with its cathedral and crazy shops - and sometimes strange looking people, too :-) It was very funny to see them - and I saw HIM - a man who looked like Gandalf. A very special spirit was in this town. I'll never forget this visit. And I'm happy to be there again - here in your blog. Thank you!!! Carola from Germany
ReplyDeleteI saw many wonderful characters, but Gandalf was obviously busy that day. Probably organising his fireworks or sorting out problems in Mordor. ;) You were very lucky! x
DeleteMissed you here! Wow, those photos are gorgeous...and book illustrations? How exciting!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cameron. :)
DeleteBeautiful illustrations Karen. They remind me a little of The Hidden House by Angela Barrett. One of my favourites. :)
ReplyDeleteJess x x
Thanks Jess. I love the Hidden House too, so maybe I have been subliminally inspired? Angela Barrett is an amazing Illustrator isn't she. x
DeleteI love Glastonbury too but haven't been for years. I am really looking forward to the book as your illustrations are wonderful. Hope you are having a lovely summer. Karen X
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen you too. :) x
DeleteWhat a magical book this will be! Your illustrations are so lovely! Thanks for sharing such gorgeous photos - everything looks so beautiful and lush. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Theresa. I still have quite a lot of work to do on the book, but am getting there. I hope I can share a little magic in it. :) x
DeleteI haven't been up the Tor for years... its funny, when somethings right on your doorstep how you tend not to get around to it!
ReplyDeleteThe book illustrations are looking wonderful, a real gentle and magical feel to them... I think a child would respond really well to these and all the emotion in them! I love the girl and her dog in that green thicket... :)