They spread their petals pink and white
scatter like snow flakes amid the green
a sea of roses this beauty seen, unique their faces an elegant theme.
A single rose becomes my garden
a million is my world…
Category: The Wolds Page 1 of 3
Come into the garden Maud,
An open day of gardens galore,
some long, some short, some thin, some broad
all I’m sure deserve awards.
June came round double quick
as we tried to make our lawns lush and thick,
to coax and water blooms to show
the magic as our gardens grow.
A little tweak here and there,
a rake, a broom, a weather prayer!
Come on Roses, show your faces
we need some colour, some perfect Acer’s.
Poppies, Geraniums, Lavender blue,
delight at every corner anew,
hanging baskets lend their hues,
as birds sing to add to pretty views,
of twinkling ponds and water features
the bubbles of the little creatures,
that swim beneath the lush green creepers.
Hosta plants with waiting blooms
to lift our spirits from Winter gloom.
Hydrangeas, Rhododendrons, tomatoes in pots,
delight our eyes and produce a lot!
Trellis’s of Sweet-peas reach our noses
their pretty faces in tangled motion…
Tall fir trees sway in breezes, good
not to have hay-fever sneezes.
These beautiful gardens, prepared for you
with care and love, I must applaud.
So come into the garden Maud!
So slowly this morning the dawn greeted me with a suitably golden sunrise creeping up and across the pale green pastures of this early Easter. A natural perfect beauty of a new day.  Walking to the village hall I thought that at last I detected the smell of Spring or perhaps as I approached it was the delicious smell of bacon cooking?  It is tradition in this little village to serve a cooked breakfast to those who like to join in a companible social setting. The full works is served, cereal, fruit juices, white and brown toast, marmalades, various jams and of course a magnificently cooked breakfast of sausage, egg, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes and beans. The tables are perfectly laid with chintzy red clothes, vases of daffodils and shining cutlery, even I may add little dishes of chocolate eggs.
This morning we served about forty-five people, they chatted happily with joyous greetings of “Happy Easter”. It is good to take stock every now and then and appreciate how very lucky we are in this pleasant rural life of ours, where friendships flourish and folk care about those who are becoming older. Gentleness is the source of all caring, a smile, a kind considered word or two, go a long way in making those who days are slower now and for those that could, if care was not taken, lead lonely lives.
I have lived here in this little Village nestling at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds since 2004. No it’s not the prettiest village but its beauty shines in its ability to retain this special character of friendliness and tranquility which elsewhere may be impossible to find. Many happy faces left the village hall this morning, long may it last. “Happy Easter” dear readers, may this Easter find you with peace and a joyous heart.
We learn wisdom from failure much more than success, or so I like to believe but starting a large project when living alone is mighty daunting never-the-less. For sure I have always been a brave woman if that’s really the right word, one can become complacent when getting older and for me approaching my seventies, I have recently thrown caution to the wind!
The past couple of months have been exciting for me in many ways, pulling and shaking me from my gentle quiet life here in the country. Not that I might add I am ever bored or feel there is not enough to do, often not having enough hours in the day for all the things I desire to achieve. I have a lunch date or two most weeks and often go out to dinner. I spend time writing of course, walk with the “Wold Walkers for Health” and join-in many social occasions in the Village. Having marvellous holidays too and I go visiting south, now and then and even manage the odd day in London, recently spending another day at “Westfield Shopping Mall” a great fun day out. I am content and happy with my so called ‘quiet life’, living alone has many compensations. Pleasing yourself with what you choose to do with your precious time is one of them and something I luxuriate in these days.
I have now been without my beloved for four years, adjusting well to this terrible loss or so I believe but now a time of reassessment has arrived. I live in a most modest bungalow quite perfect for retirement, the garden is probably a bit too big for me to cope with alone and that’s costly to keep under control but I would hate to part with it.  I have just had all the trees pruned and some removed as the garden was becoming untidy and growing inwards, hopefully that will last for a good few years before needing attention again. I love so much the quietness and tranquillity of this village , we have fun here but its still perfect to retreat to your own little space and that’s something I love.
Still reassessment of one’s life  is a good thing to do from time to time and at any age, bringing many different thoughts together and perhaps as folk might think, should I move to a smaller place? A flat/apartment perhaps because I am getting older? Should I return to the county I came from, nearer my sons and their familes? I of course love them muchly but do not wish to be the Mother that is just run the corner. As long as my independence lasts and I keep well and active then here I shall stay. I have been pondering for some time but have never wavered from my love of this quiet village of kind good people, a village with no lights, starlit skies, one pub and the little church of St Margaret’s and in the ten years I have lived here the many memories that have been made and of course in the churchyard lies a special spot near to the church door… Could I leave that? And rings the answer loud and clear – No!
I have learnt well that possessions do not last, it is remembered  joys that make the heart strong and content. I am happy here although living alone, so feel I must make my home as comfortable as I can for me and for the guests that perhaps will brave the ‘A’ roads to visit me occasionally.  And so to that end and because it is an exciting thing to do at any time of life and especially now in mine, I have decided to extended my home and make it the best I can for the years that remain. Since moving here over a decade ago, and downsizing greatly, I really missed not having a dining room, yes I could have taken one of the bedrooms but so often when family comes all the rooms are taken. I love to entertain and yes we have managed – when not many folk are here - we have eaten in the kitchen, quite big enough really, but when needing more room we have had to put a long table in the sitting room not a problem in the past but now I need to make things easier for me and a little less hard work.
So with that in mind I have decided to have a large Orangery built to the rear of the bungalow and as I sit here writing this, the garden and driveway to my home are covered in cement mixers, diggers and all manner of building equipment. How strange when the planning takes months and all of a sudden there you go, an invasion of the nicest kind. I am of course keeping a record of the build, always fun to look back on in years to come and I am glad to learn the manner and order of these types of modern day builds, not that I will ever attempt one I’m sure! But knowledge is knowledge and all is good to retain. I have longed to have a light airy room and to be able to glean as much of our English sunlight that I can. I have spent much time looking at designs, chatting to architects, walking showrooms with a dear friend, debating and discussing, mulling over the few complications of drains and interior heating cupboards, radiators and fires, light fittings etc etc. Doing things by yourself is more of a challenge of course. I have to keep within a budget and my always champagne taste with beer money comes sharply to mind. I have discussed things with a good friend who reminds me often that however my vision, it must be tailored to my own needs and taste and I should have just what I what, well thats ok to a degree but I must stay within my budget and could without doubt like all of us, get carried away! Still It’s fun and enjoyable  searching out ideas for the interior, which I would like more modern than the rest of the house. Have manage to find a contemporary mounted wall fire that I like and that I hope will work well with the radiators, selected lights too, not wanting the normal ceiling fan which I dislike because of the whirring noise and have certainly overdone the budget on a huge ceiling and two wall lights, oh well, we all need a bit of glamour in our life. I shall update as things continue but they are racing away and progressing so quickly after only a week of work. Watch this space friends this will be fun and fingers crossed…
 
How heavenly are the roses that bloom
turning heads to sun in June
tiny faces in perfect form
that scatter their smiles on the lawn
majestic, abundant and heavens gift
that give of their beauty, and our hearts a lift…
How heavenly are the roses that bloom
turning heads to sun in June
tiny faces in perfect form
that scatter their smiles on the lawn
majestic, abundant and heavens gift
that give of their beauty, and our hearts a lift…
“No spring or winter has such grace as I have seen in one little face…“  This little verse is dedicated to the memory of Maeve Craven, much loved Mother of Karen who died in June 2014.
We awoke to a grey rainy morning the skies the colour of old gun metal. My heart felt heavy although I knew nothing of course would spoil this special day but how lovely would it be if the sun shone down on this little village of ours, warming the colours of the pasture land and sending the dapple rays we know so well across the lanes and up to the path of our little church.
Much preparation had been done in the days and weeks before when the weather had been unusually warm for May and in all our minds the sun just had to be shining at least for the most important time of our beautiful bride arriving and the departure from the church to the perfect green carpet walkway winding its way through the grounds of this beautiful garden to the Marquee…
I had fed my house-guests well – a large breakfast to set them-up for the day and after clearing away the dishes I took myself off to my room to prepare for the wedding of dear Ellie and Stuart. The rain continued to pour, running off the gutters and down the drive so forcibly that even Noah would have been proud. Perhaps a prayer might help an imploring to the heavens, maybe if I begged earnestly the almighty would listen? So placing a disc of favourite music and something appropriate for the occasion I selected Al Giochi - Romeo & Juliet sung by the powerful Luciano Pavarotti, this strong robust tenor at a suitably high volume would certainly do the trick and a quiet prayer to my Hamada-who loved this song -to have a word with the Almighty to change his designs on the weather for today, just this once please but the rain continued to pour…
At about mid-day I thought a nice Bucks-Fizz would go down well. I prepared these and then continued with my intonations when a lovely voice came from the front of the house “I can see a small patch of blue over towards the west!” We dared not to hope but slowly the rain eased and the watery sun appeared. And so this perfect day unfolded like a beautiful wished for flower forming from a bud into perfection.
I have a job not to cry at weddings being the eternal optimist in all things romantic and this wedding was no exception. Ellie my much loved niece, had found her perfect man in Stuart. Tall and handsome, kind and compassionate they were entirely perfect for each other in every way. Her natural beauty and the gasps of admiration for this stunning bride in her exquisite lace wedding gown could be heard in the intake of breath from all assembled. The service was quite perfect the Rev Avril in her amazingly charming and confident manner guiding the way. More tears from me when I saw my fourteen year old Grandson Manu resplendent in tuxedo, looking so mature and handsome bearing the rings. How very smart and stylish the best men, the brides father/bridegroom’s father looked in their tux. How very beautiful the Matrons of Honour in their delicate pale green dresses, serenely matching the foliage in their bouquets of cream roses and blending with the sweet smelling newly mown, rain fresh grass and the beautiful trees surrounding this now sunlit churchyard. We sang with gusto, we sang with praise and thanked the lord for giving us the sunlit rays now coming through the old mauve leaded lights of the arched windows that were filled with wide masses of cream roses We sang to bless this beautiful couple. We sang in praise of how lucky we are to be together to rejoice in their love and joy.
I had tears in my eyes as I watch my dear sister lift back Ellie’s veil and then again when her father Ian laid his hands gently over the hands of this lovely couple as prayers were said. And lastly the beautiful singing and guitar playing of my youngest son Jo, his voice lifted and soared to new heights echoing his rich tones over our heads so even the Almighty could hear the praising of the day and the love that filled this church of ours. Thank goodness for the white linen handkerchief my dear friend passed to me, which was damp with joyous emotion.
The assembled guests, family and many friends stopped for photographs outside the little church and in the courtyard of the nearby country house, as the sun came out to greet us, delicious perfectly chilled champagne and canapés were served by the many waiters and waitress’s weaving cleverly and skilfully amongst the guests.. Ellie and Stuart left for a quiet moment together and for private special photos and arrived to joined us all in the garden in a fabulous 30’s Beauford Bentley-Styled beauty of a car, entering slowly through the main gates of this stunning house and gardens.
The trees hung with white wicker hearts and the rails of the churchyard were festooned with handmade celebration flag bunting, perfectly made by Ellies mum Jenny and lining the length of the gardens. Beautiful young woman in an array of pretty summery frocks walked arm in arm with their handsome partners along the pale green carpet that laid across the grass. Close family all dressed in their finest attire with loving smiles on their faces so happy to greet relatives not seen for a while. Jenny and Ian, Ellie parents, looking resplendent  in their superb wedding clothes beaming with pride at their gorgeous Ellie and her charming Prince. A storybook affair of magical visionary arrangements and just as a country wedding should be and something conjured-up only in the dreams of young girls.
The large Marquee continued the pale green theme, sharp white tablecloths with pale green fine linen napkins, silver cutlery, sparkling silver candelabras on each of the five long tables, holding long white candles, the crystal chandeliers shone enchantingly. The whole marquee twinkling in its simplicity and design. The long tables reaching from end to end of the Marquee given the names of chateaus in honour of Ellie and Stuarts engagement in France. Perfectly written name places and a menu better than the finest restaurant. Superb French wines and champagne continued this theme. There was a cocktail bar to one-side and a chill-out area comprising of curved backed wicker sofas and again the matching colour of the pale green cushions set the scene. A wooden dance floor with a DJ ready for action. A pianist greeted us as he played gentle music while we took our seats for a very special ‘wedding breakfast’ How difficult to describe how enchanting it all was, perhaps my photos may help in some way.
The speeches were wonderful!! Totally entertaining and amusing too. Stuart recalling how they met and fell in love, with some amusing tales of the early days of their romance, spoken clearly and with great confidence and such a pleasing way he played with his words of love! The father of the bride making us laugh with tales of Ellie’s younger years – especially her girlfriends who’s chuckles could be heard around the marquee as they listen to the recalling of fun girly days of the past and remembered their teenage years, all friends growing-up together. Then my eldest son Matt stood, an important role as Ellie’s Godfather, consummate in delivery of an amusing and in places poignant gathering of clever phrases and words that made us smile as he recalled many special family moments. But the speech that stole the show entirely was from my Grandson Manu who spoke of his love for Ellie and Stuart and for the fun they enjoy together and a perfectly funny tale about Stuart, when he was staying over at their home – we laugh and laughed at the funny antics of this time, delivered so confidently and with such great aplomb and even ad-libbing that brought much laughter and the ‘house down’ with clapping and cheering at the end. Manu is just fourteen years of age!
We ate wonderful culinary delights, we dance with gay abandon well into the early hours. We drank cocktails, raspberry mojitos! We chatted with family and friends enjoying every single moment. I looked and listened and drank-in the atmosphere of this perfect day – for this was my beloved family who had planned and worked hard to achieve perfection and if only I could convey to you my readers, just how very special it all was.
The love of this gorgeous couple will last the test of time of that I’m sure. For when love is found it is seen in the depths of the eyes and faces of those that truly love. The effort of romance starts with small seeds of devotion to each other that grow and cultivate into the years of all our tomorrows.
Celebrate your loved one in creating memories of kindness and of respect. In nurture of each other, praise and thank them daily for the joy they bring to you, for this will create a life of harmony and a love that will grow into longevity. Life brings ups and downs to us all but bonds made strong in the early days and in the new flush of romance build the strength to carry you through the tough times. Be kind to each other daily, taking time to listen to each others needs and most of all rejoice in your love.
Dreams are made of perfect days like this, love brings so much, for it is the greatest of all life’s gifts…
Specially Remembered Things: Bowls of Love-Heart Sweets- Soft Pashmina’s for the ladies just in case they needed to get cosy.  REAL bathrooms in a Marquee!- with every imaginable cosmetic you just might need. A long Mirror, Special hangers for your precious hats. Oh and so much more…
More Photos of this lovely day can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/susiehemingway/Â
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See there the changing of the light,
its fervency to bring in sight
as golden heads in breeze do blow
as struggle through the earth they grow.
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Eyes do see blue circle bright
the Midas touch of lighter nights,
spins the green of breezy branches
this vision of Spring so fast advances.
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Life passes quickly in easier haze,
as painful days begin to fade…
Unfurled this heart this mist does clear,
It looks to be a splendid year…
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I’m sure the sky appeared bluer that day
tents and stalls were assembled by dawn,
a bustle took over the village
and in their own unique way
all manner of games, raffles and prizes
appeared for this, the Annual Village Fete.
“Teeny tots with sparkling eyes
As all around delights they spy
Laughing faces full of joy
Gleeful girls and skipping boys
Little children with winning toys
Raffles and tombola stand
Bouncy castles and a splendid band!
Sunlight streams through covering trees
A Village Affair for you and me
Jars of jams and chutney to buy
Balls to throw and win a prize
Just to be in summer glow
And watch this Village come and go
Fifty pence will bring a chance
To win the lotto in a glance
Pretty dresses, summer hats,
Throw the balls and make a crash!
Time to sit for cup of tea
Cakes to choose, now let’s see?
Strawberries and cream on scrumptious scones
No coffee walnut will be the one!
Nothing less that I can see
A Village Affair for you and me…â€
All Rights Reserved 2010
Crisp sparkling crunchy views across this linen land
trees bow beneath the snow laden branches
hungry birds swing and pull at fat-filled gifts that hang from frozen lines, quiet is this life, quiet is this world.
Such beauty in the stranger shapes of intrinsic white on grey as silence falls and covers sadness like a soft downy wrap, comforting like the arms of angels protecting those we love.
This winter harsh and cruel will not change much for us
it is a time to be together, a time for closeness and of warmth, a time to renew strength to start with vigour our battle.
As crystals melt their prisms, the brushstrokes change
the white that enhances the beauty of this land.
All Rights Reserved @ 2010
She came rushing in, or though it seemed to me,
disbelief that this colourful Lady with her cloak of reds and golds had
already arrived, when I glanced from my window.
I must have been looking the other way!
but then we don’t count the days pursuing more important matters now.
As the relentless stricken battle appears once more
on the horizon, had she come to distract my mind or bring colours to my heart?
This feckless stunning Lady who sheds her clothes
and scatters them where she will, like drops of tears in
a template of sadness perhaps?
A powerful change of authority as restless and now incipient to decay.
Old roses fade and fall like shattered fragments of glass from a precious mirror,
the hedgerows become bare, no more luscious berries
but still holding onto their thin strips of life.
Leaves, could they ever be more beautiful?
turning to deep maroons and burnished, glinting, jewelled colours.
Conkers appearing from their secret shells to fall in copper splendour
from the impressive stately Horse Chestnut trees.
We arrived, like we had just opened our eyes.
Another Autumn! who would have believed we would
see this majestic Lady together, dumbstruck once more at her beauty
but belligerently waging war on staying in our perfect peaceful Summer,
not for us, the rushing of time.
@Copyright Susie Hemingway 2009
K
How beautiful this Summer day the colour of the flowers,
to match my mood, I’d like today, rain and thunder all the way.
The snow and hail they could come, and even lightning too,
If I could take your pain away a hurricane would do.
How beautiful this Summer day, with not a cloud in sight
and there you are again in bed, putting up a fight.
The sun is blazing down the rays, and when you turn and smile,
I’ll keep you with me and that gaze, and never miss the flowers
and if you think I love you less, I’ll long for summer showers.
How beautiful this Summer day the stillness of it all,
the sky is brilliant almost red! you smile at me and rest your head.
So does it matter the flowers are out does it matter that their blue!
if I could take your pain away, then this is what I’ll do.
For then the rays, the lovely sun, the flowers each and everyone,
I’ll keep you and that lovely gaze then this will be my Summer day.
@ Copyright 2006
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How glorious the gardens
each and and everyone,
how extravagant and bursting forth
with riot of perennial fun,
we wandered down the sunlit lanes
on this our lovely ‘open day’
the splendid evergreens and rose-beds wide
to narrow scented lavender surprise,
walkways of the greenest hues
from red, to yellows and to blues,
the pinks so soft upon your eyes
geraniums potted on one side.
Hellebores in groups of six
herbaceous borders in pretty mix,
cabbages, onions and chickens too!
fruits and herbs in stunning views
delphiniums lush in velvet blue
sturdy potatoes in their pots!
leeks , carrots and shallots.
Water features to cool and trickle
fish ponds, rock gardens and plants that tickle!
Many pots and nursery beds
perfumed scented that turn your head.
Arbour’s, enchanting ‘rose cascades’
Ah! what a wondrous pleasant day.
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What a wondrous pleasant day…
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All Rights Reserved @ June 2009
It was our village ‘open gardens’ day this Sunday, the morning dawned fair and after such preparation from the eleven sensational gardens that would be open to the public, we knew we were in for an exciting and enticing day. Abundant flower drenched bowers, roses dripping in splendour, colourful arbour’s, covering walkways, plants of such exotic delights, lawns manicured to perfection, handmade paths so clever in design. All manner of interest and panoramic views to mesmerize, scents to please the senses and calm and serene borders and textures. Corners of interest and wonderful hidden places to sit and view awhile. Vegetables crammed and laden, bursting full of goodness and showing skills of years of knowledge and precious tending. For many of the gardens with chickens, ducks and geese producing a self sufficiency with daily eggs, crops of every vegetable, fresh and packed full of glorious vitamins. We feasted on wonderful fare on the stroll around the lanes of this enchanting village, stopping for a ploughman’s lunch with a selection of English cheeses and pickle and a cooling drink at the hottest part of the day. Then peeping into our little church to view the theme displays of flowers, some shown below. On we went, with ice-cream in hand to end our very English day at the last garden for afternoon tea and delicious cakes and scones laden with strawberries and cream. My photos do not do justice to these wonderful gardens but perhaps will give you my reader a little idea of this heavenly day…
As most of my readers know, I am very fortunate to live in a lovely Wolds Village in Lincolnshire. Living in such a beautiful place often turns up rather special days. The views shown above are from my windows which especially at this time of the year are magnificent. Always changing like the seasons, the sheep arriving in the spring and then within a glance the spectacular Lincoln Red Cows have taken their place! So the ‘pictures’ I see, often change by the hour. I do spend rather a lot of time looking at this stunning change of scene. Then sometimes a little ‘extra gift’ is thrown into the melting pot of nature. Imagine my surprise when gazing with morning coffee in hand and there standing proudly in my garden was the most exquisite Peacock. He stood surveying the scene seeming very tame. Not wanting to frighten him I crept closer with camera in hand. He later accepted some bird seed and small nuts and enjoyed a chat staying for the day, sitting on my wall in the dark and then returning again for the next three days. I was sad to see him go but Mr Peacock was last seen walking down the lanes of this very special Village What a gift!
