… to Hodnet Hall Gardens
Mr C took part in a webinar on Sunday morning so I spent my time colouring a page in one of Johanna Basford’s books. I started colouring the picture a couple of weeks ago and was keen to finish it before my colouring ideas faded into memory.
The webinar finished on time which meant that after Mr C’s late lunch we were able to go out for the afternoon as planned. Mr C suggested Hodnet Hall which was a perfect choice, it is local and open till 5pm. On arrival, the teashop was calling and on entering I was tempted to a slice of Elderflower and Gooseberry cake. Alas, Mr C, after his late lunch was in a sharing mood rather than a cake of his own!
Following our refreshments and cake sharing I decided that we should walk to the kitchen garden rather than a lake walk. I thought the garden would be full of flowers at this time of year. I wasn’t disappointed the kitchen garden was spectacular.
PS: I will photograph my colouring creation to share with you soon.
Tags: Colouring, Elderflower & Gooseberry Cake, Elderflower Presse, Hodnet Hall Gardens, Naughty Cake, Shropshire
This sculpture by Clarke Fitzgerald was given to the Cathedral by Christ Church, Cincinnati, USA in 1971.
A plumb-line is used to determine whether or not a building is standing straight. This sculpture is based on a passage from the Bible, Amos 7.7-9, where God sets out his intention to assess whether or not his people are aligned with him. Amos is warned that, if necessary, God will take action to put things right…
This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A plumb-line.’ Then the Lord said, ‘See, I am setting a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by; the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.’*
*Quoted from a signboard next to the sculpture
Tags: Clarke Fitzgerald, Coventry, Coventry Cathedral, Sculpture, Warwickshire
This Chapel has as its focus a replica of an extraordinary piece of art – the Stalingrad Madonna.
The curved figure of the Virgin Mary enfolds her baby in her hood, her eyes closed. The words around her translate as ‘1942 Christmas in the cauldron…Light, Life, Love’.
It was drawn at a time of terrible suffering, but the mother keeps her baby safe, a symbol of light, life and love.*
*Info from a signboard next to the chapel
Tags: Coventry, Coventry Cathedral, The Millennium Chapel
… and ready to go.
Recently our outside security light stopped working. We got it checked by an electrician who told us that the light fitting was broken and needed to be replaced. Locally you can have any colour light you like as long as it is black. Our Sunday mission was to go a little further afield to a countryside shop that we thought might stock a white outdoor light.
In the morning before setting off on our mission we visited mum who completely blanked me, turning away from me and pulling her hand away, so I gave her a quick hug and left. Sadly on this occasion she knew what she was doing.
This meant that we had lunch in Mere Park earlier than we had expected which was not a bad thing as the service is always rather slow. The food however is always delicious and on this occasion I chose poached salmon and pasta salad. Arriving early also meant more time for browsing the store. We ended up leaving with some new cushions for our outdoor chairs; our current ones are showing their age and the seat pads have become uncomfortable. I also couldn’t resist buying another colouring book as if I didn’t have enough already.
When we visited the outdoor countryside shop that I had in mind I realised that I had muddled it up with another shop. Mr C came to the conclusion that shop I had been thinking of was Charlie’s in Shrewsbury. Mr C was right and so was I with regards to the lights; they had several lights in white to choose from. We left with our purchase and arrived home just in time for pre dinner drinks with the elder Mr & Mrs C.
Later at home we enjoyed Normandy Pork which had been cooking to perfection in the slow cooker whilst we had been out on our adventures.
Tags: Charlie's, Countryside Shop, Fine Lunching, Lunching Out, Mere Park, Portrait
I am not quite on target for arriving to coordinate with my actual walk to Stonehenge in August. Life and on occasion a lack of Mojo have got in the way.
I wonder if I can get myself back on track…
That being said I am still on track to complete my ‘Walk 1000 Miles’ by the end of the year.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2025, Race the Distance, Stonehenge, Stonehenge 199 Mile Challenge
This intimate chapel sits beside the nave, close to its immense tapestry and the high altar, both of which are so often, by design, bathed in natural light. In contrast, the Chapel of Gethsemane is small with relatively little lighting. Its mosaic depicts the Angel of Agony by Steven Sykes which, on approach, is viewed through a wrought-iron crown of thorns, designed by Sir Basil Spence. Thus, beside the large, blazing glory of the tapestry and high altar, this quiet, small chapel serves as a reminder of suffering and a place of prayer and contemplation, away from the focal point of the Cathedral.
Tags: Coventry, Coventry Cathedral, Crown of Thorns, The Chapel of Christ in Gethsemane, Warwickshire
This chapel, also known as the Chapel of industry, connects us with the everyday world through clear glass.
Christians are not called to step out of the world but to be deeply involved, loving and serving others. Here we give thanks that we meet God in our daily life and work and ask for grace to know God there and make God known.*
*from a signboard at the entrance to the Chapel
Tags: Coventry, Coventry Cathedral, The Chapel of Christ the Servant, Warwickshire
