I finally got my 100th follower yesterday, thank you it's only took me 13 years to reach my century.
On the Saturday morning we followed the voluntary litter pickers instructions and after having to walk along two very fast car running roads we got to Nether Stowey. Here's some more photos for you to look at:
A bridle way come boreen/ walkers path. The same path that Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William and Dorothy visited each other on shanks pony and horseback and horse and carriage. A few days later we would be wild camping on a very similar bridleway in Wales. That is for another days post.
We walked over a corn stubble field. Lovely brown soil but not a weed in sight. No doubt sprayed with weed killer, sadly. We could see the sea and the new Hinkley Point nuclear power station in construction with its giant cranes. It's costing Billions and China is the biggest investor.
An hanging tree. You could see were the bark had been rubbed away on the branch by the hanging rope.
Chocolate box cottage. Reminded me of Dorset which we visited in 2017.
The rear of the thatched cottages.
An ancient dog Pound.
A memorial seat to a couple who use to sit there and watch the deer.
A lonesome horse with it's waterproof coat.
At last. Alfoxton Park. Once home to the Wordsworths. Much grander than the hovel that Coleridge lived in.
Now a Buddhist retreat. There's some excellent You Tube videos on Nether Stowey and Alfoxton Park. They are in the process of restoring the buildings and grounds. If you can help them in any way financially or practically like donating your labour please do. They gave us water and allowed us to look round.
I spotted this ancient stone summer house. Surely the literary three must have sat there?
The outer facade of Alfoxton Park.
The 900 year old Wordsworth tree where they actually sat and probably the exact spot where Samuel Taylor Coleridge probably firstrecited his Rhyme Of The Ancient Mariner. I felt honoured to have been in the place where they sat and read their poems.
A window into a walled kitchen garden.
Old clay tiles from one of the potting sheds.
A door to the walled kitchen gardens.
I have composed a few lines called:
The Wordsworths Tree.
In Quantock hills no Golden Daffodils.
Underneath the Wordsworths Tree.
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It is a little incongruous to see those photos of beautiful "Olde England" and know that Hinckley Point is a close neighbour.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly JayCee. I thought of the old Ready Brek adverts when the kids gave off heat. The amount of money being spent at HP is eye watering. It's only 250 miles from here and that is far too close. I hope Kim Jong Un isn't reading this? Although we're both big United fans so we will be ok. I loved that tree. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHow much more you see and savour when wactually walking through these places. I love all the little details you photoed. Can you actually visit Wordsworth's house? It looks a little closed up
ReplyDeleteYes walking opens up the senses Linda. Charles Dickens is said to often walk 25 miles in a day and no met his characters like Fagin and Scrooge in real life.
ReplyDeleteHave a look at Nether Stowey and Alfoxton Park on You Tube. There are some smashing videos about Coleridge Cottage and the Wordsworths at Alfoxton and its now a Buddhist retreat and perfect sanctuary. It left a big impression on me. Thanks.
I would love a walled garden.
ReplyDeleteYes River. They are amazing places with a microclimate all of their own. I think I was an estate gardener in another life. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLinda is right about how walking lets you absorb the details. Great photos and an inspiration to go there. Holiday coming up jn a few weeks and nothing planned yet.....
ReplyDeleteYes walking and your mobile phone helps you absorb the details Tiggers Mum. We visited Dorset and Hardy country in 2017. Wetherspoons, thatched cottages, Dursley Door and a Folk festival and then over to Doolin folk festival. I'm planning a Portugal trip for either this year or Spring.
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