Stroll Through the Fields
“Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I don’t know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Just a short drive from our cottage was the wonderful ruin of Old Wardour Castle. It was unexpectedly fun to wander through the remains and imagine the place in its heyday.
Inner courtyard and well. The house appeared in the 1991 movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Another cool old stone spiral staircase.
Front entrance
Fireplace in Great Hall
Ceiling detail above grand staircase
Grand staircase
Grand staircase
Looking through the front entrance with the grotto in the background.
Grotto remains
Salisbury
Much like Canterbury, Salisbury is a wonderfully charming town, filled with postcard-perfect old buildings.
The Old Forge
LOVE the pub names!
This one’s for you Alex!
The New Inn
I’m quite certain there is a dictionary somewhere that defines England as “a country littered with old pubs characterized by low ceilings, ancient wood beams, warm fireplaces, and fresh beer on tap.”
You saw the Old World interior of the Haunch of Venison in our last post. The Haunch was established in 1320, so it does have a good 60 years on The New Inn; however, The New Inn gets its name from its location on New Street rather than its age (it was established c. 1380). It may be “new” in relative terms, but it is as old as you would prefer inside and out, and one of the most charming pubs we’ve visited.
Birra Moretti beer was founded in present-day Austria but is now owned by the Dutch Heineken. Will and I agreed it was an exceptionally good lager.
The beams are so low in places, the owners installed pads on the bottom (just left of the vertical post).
Will is sitting here for the next photo.
Looking across the table where Will is sitting (above), Dan and I order drinks at the same bar back in June 2015. The picture of Will and Amanda above was taken near where the man is seated in the background. It’s fun to reminisce!
A Turn About The Countryside
Sunday was gorgeous so Amanda and I decided to go on a long walk. As we were getting ready, we captured this pheasant wandering through our back garden.
We weren’t on the trail long before Amanda came across some snowdrops. These little flowers bloom in January or early February, making it a true winter flower that is greatly appreciated when other things are still dormant.
Hey look, we found the black sheep of the family!
St Mary’s Church in Dinton.
Our circular route took us through Dinton Park and Philipps House. The house is closed, but the beautiful grounds are open to walkers.
Philipps House
The vast rolling green of Dinton Park.
“I walk all day, across the heaven-verging field.”
Such a great day for a walk…8.42 miles was a bit more than we bargained for, but it was a wonderful day to be outside nonetheless!
