Saturday 12 November 2011

November Light and Dark





Yesterday was Martinmas, the festival of winter's beginning; the day when German children carry lanterns in procession through the streets following  St Martin, a very good and kind-hearted man, riding a white horse to the church, where they come upon a poor beggar shivering on the church steps. St Martin, with a great flourish, takes off his warm cloak, draws his sword and cuts the cloak in two and throws half to the beggar, who receives it gratefully and wraps himself up. It's a lovely story which I have told elsewhere and quite a profitable one for children. Not only do they learn to be kind to those in need but they are also rewarded handsomely with a bag full of delicious bonbons, chocolates, apples and biscuits.





In the UK Armistice Day was commemorated and Valley's End had donned a suitably mournful mantle. the whole day remained grey, with very low visibility, the mist dripping steadily, sadly, as if nature herself wept despairing tears over the endless slaughter which mankind inflicts on itself and will no doubt continue to do, no matter on how many solemn occasions we stand and bow our heads in sorrow.





On such a day it is best to gather friends around you and spend a happy evening talking by the fire. A pleasant meal, a bottle of wine, a large dog to lie by your chair, who doesn't mind your stockinged feet warming themselves on his belly, and good-natured conversation, most of it undemanding, and getting more so as the evening progresses and the contents of the bottle sink to the kind of level where it's best to open another one, and perhaps another one after that. The kind of evening where you plan good things for the place you call home, where members of the community depend on each other and where warfare is something brought to you via TV. One of you mentions that the church roof is leaking badly and needs urgent repairs and perhaps you start to discuss means of fundraising. A Safari dinner seemed a good idea,  they always go down well and raise large amounts of money. Somebody else mentioned a christmas party for  children of the local Infants School, to be organised by ladies of 'a certain age' rather than young mums, who are too busy to to do more than buy small presents for Father Christmas to distribute.  A party which children remember as part of their growing-up years and look back on with pleasure.

Our plans grew in the certainty of being able to call on the goodwill of others in Valley's End; very little financial outlay and 'many hands making light work' would guarantee success, we were certain of it. Perhaps I promised a little more than I might want to do in the cold light of another misty morning, but a good deed is a good deed and a promise is a promise.

Besides, I am sorely in need of blogging material.


58 comments:

  1. What a lovely post, Friko. I found it to be very gentle and optimistic, rather than dreary. The pictures are the same, gentle mist softening all the colors.

    I had never heard of Martinmas. I think it's a wonderful tradition. And your evening surrounded with friends around the fire sounds perfect. :-)

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  2. Perfectly evokes a nice community.it is so nimportant and i often wonder why it is so hard to design in scope for such community specially in cities. Went to a little memorial to a dear friend and neighbour yesterday which was also cost and autumnal- we buried her ashes in one of the rose beds in the large communal garden behind our houses and someone had picked a bunch of beautiful roses to go on the spot - roses which are still flowering in mid Nivember!

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  3. Pretty, pretty, and pretty, those photos.
    Your account of the evening relaxes me. I shall surely cheer you onward in your do-gooding efforts.

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  4. Your evening, the photos, and the tone you set with this post all dovetail very nicely. I'm smitten by that image of the cattle near the rusted tin barn - a wonderful image.

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  5. You live in a painting from 200 years ago - I'm certain of it. What else could account for the mist-shrouded serenity, those particular shades of green and grey, the picture-perfect cattle?
    Your village is as it is because people like you and your friends are willing to take up the challenge of fundraising or party-organising for the children. In the very simplest terms - the children are watching you and will most likely model their version of civic responsibility on what they see. That bodes well for the next 200 years in Valley's End.

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  6. I love living out here in the country. It's easy to tune out man's inhumanity to man. We are our own predator, must be as we systematically exterminate anything large or small that threatens us. The only thing missing is a wood and a live creek and maybe a castle in my back yard.

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  7. i love the fog...so mysterious...i have hope for us yet...what a great snapshot of your evening...

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  8. I laughed at your last line, an eXchange of writing for right- ing. Your village does have all the write stuff.

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  9. Oh those pictures evoke another era, Friko - one to happilly crawl into when the going outside gets to be too much.
    Village life. Nothing like it.
    XO
    WWW

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  10. 'Not only do they learn to be kind to those in need but they are also rewarded handsomely with a bag full of delicious bonbons, chocolates, apples and biscuits.'

    Beautifully lyrical, Fri.

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  11. Seeing such pastoral scenes, it is beyond me to understand that those same skies once filled with bombers and the sound of gunfire might have been heard in the distance. You are so right...no matter how many memorial days we have, it will never end...
    It is good to know that you and the kind folks of your village are planning such caring events. If only the world leaders would do the same...

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  12. My husband and I went on a walking holiday in your part of the world some years ago. Your photos take me back! I remember crossing the yards of farmers and climbing over the stile at the other side. Lovely!

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  13. Best reason for having a dog I've ever heard of.

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  14. Such a nice, comfortable feeling from the misty pictures and the description of the evening around the fire.

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  15. Hello Friko:
    You capture so wonderfully here for us that 'dripping mist', that shroud of grey, that veil of fog which is, for us, for ever England in November. A sympathetic landscape indeed to Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday and All Souls' Day.

    Whilst here in Budapest, powder blue skies, clear sunshine and freezing wind heralds the Day of the Dead....surely all will rise at this glittering daybreak?

    And, as you say, how better to spend any of these long dark evenings but in the comfort of a warm home with a gathering of friends and delightful conversation? No matter in which country we are, this is our ideal!!

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  16. I see the word 'evocative' in the comments of another, and I know that is exactly what this post does for me. It stirs up strong emotions dealing with beauty, sadness, community, and service.

    Your photos are stunning. I must get back to England soon. Does such scenery inspire all in your community to write poetry? It should.

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  17. Your evening with friends sounded lovely. A very nice post, full of promising happy things to come.

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  18. Beautiful post about the lightness and darkness of life as well as November, Friko -- from the senseless savagery of war to the comfort of a fireside evening with a big warm dog, good friends, a bottle of wine and planning good deeds. it doesn't get any better. And your pictures are stunning!

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  19. I am a fan of most things that reward children handsomely.

    Interesting that you are scraping for blog material..I always think of you as having a 1000 ideas for it. Shows what I know, or think I know. ~Mary

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  20. Okay, there I am getting all mournful, reflective and serious and you get me again with your last line. One of these days I am going to remember just how tricky you can be.

    I could never replicate this evening, I have a small dog who would rather lie on my lap than let me tickle his tummy with my toes and I can't drink anything with alcohol.

    I do have a penchant for getting in over my head with promises that leave me wondering in the cold light of day "what was I thinking," however.

    Dianne

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  21. Beautifully gentle and romantic photos of your lovely area. I can't imagine you having to scrabble for blogging ideas. I'm quite sure you could write all day - but maybe you are, while creating your memoir.

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  22. What beautiful photos and they work so well for the evening you paint, which sounds like more than anyone can ask for in this life--friends, a warm dogs, thoughts of helping others, and of course, wine.

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  23. Pleasant reading thanks. Gorgeous moody photos too. The last one is my kind of photo, meaning if I had been in your footprints, same composition.

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  24. I looked at your photos and wondered how many centuries have passed since those fields were first divided by hedges. And then to read of the pleasures of a convivial evening by the fire on a dripping night evoked the centuries once again, albeit your situation more comfortable than that of medieval times.
    And as you commented on my blog, we never learn. Greed, the lust for power, and prejudice on the part of some, tend to push aside the memories of quiet pleasures and thrust us all into turmoil. We would do well to remember evenings such as yours.

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  25. Thank you for the lovely photos and for the glimpse of village life. I'd love to come to lend a hand but, alas the right one is sporting a broken finger so I'll have to be content with sitting on the sidelines and partaking vicariously via your lovely blog.

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  26. I liked that the man on the horse still kept half his cloak for himself. Good self care. I need that reminder even though it is not the point of the story.

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  27. Bonza photos of the country side i especially like the last photo with the Moo Cows :-).

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  28. The nglish country side is very nice. Great pictures >:)

    Cold As Heaven

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  29. I have a feeling that the 'Martin' you mention, Friko, has a famous church in London named after him - 'St Martin-in-the fields'? where they do a lot of good work for people who are homeless. Lovely story! We've had a gorgeous quite warm, sunny day here today. Hope you've had sunshine too.

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  30. I love the photos. Did you take them?

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  31. This is beautiful!! The day - as you've described it - takes on a certain warmth..in spite of the damp and misty and very magical images.

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  32. I really want a dog whose belly I can put my stockinged feet on. It seems a key element here to the sense of peace and general chill-ness.

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  33. A wayside tavern's window lights beckon unto me, to tarry by the hearth so bright and keep good company.

    You live in such a lovely place Friko. Makes me want to hop a ship and visit for a spell of conversation and grog.

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  34. Oh my how lovely this is, both your sentiment and these beautiful photos. this is just plain a beautiful place to come to.

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  35. I wish our cats would be as obliging on warming our feet! A lovely post, evoking so well the feel of where you live and how you live, one day in the life.

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  36. I can see you around a fire talking with friends and sharing a glass of wine or a cup of tea – must be nice. There are many people I believe in the US who do not know their neighbors well and rarely see them – modern living I guess. So I enjoy reading about your talks with your dog close by – it is lovely and you describe it well. It is like watching a good old black and white movie on Turner Classics – it warms you all over.

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  37. Friko, when I began reading this post, I was feeling a bit dispirited and tired, and my mind was going a bit into a negative retrospective of the day's events.

    I thank you so much yet again for the opportunity to read your wonderful writing, and for giving my reader's mind the opportunity to grab hold of many good images, and thoughts about how on such a misty November day, folks might decide to merge their efforts to great something very good for a new generation.

    xo

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  38. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog so I could visit here and see the beautiful misty photos of the countryside. They're stunning!

    Sounds like a wonderful evening where a lot of plans were made. I will be back (new follower). I hope you stop by to say hello again sometime, too. So glad you did. :)

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  39. Hi Friko .. well said - it was a misty mournful day and I had a funeral to go to .. fortunately for a life full of fun and well lived.

    I love the idea of the silver committee of wisdom bringing back the old ways for memory's and enjoyment's sake ... sounds like a happy time - well the dark murky days pass faster if busy ....

    Valley's End is lucky to have you all as residents amongst their midst - also a lot of blog posts will follow ...

    Enjoy the time ahead .. Hilary

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  40. The idea of the children's party sounds wonderful! I also like the story of St. Martin! That is a good one for the children. We must never forget to share with those less fortunate. We adults need that story as well
    The thought of the fire and my feet snuggled in the big dogs belly was a wonderful image!
    Thanks
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  41. What an abundant posting! The photos are dazzling, especially the first one. The prose is well crafted and meaningful. And the little throw-away hook at the end hints that the dregs of the third bottle were warming your soul. Thanks for sharing such a pleasant evening with us. Jim

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  42. Once again, Friko, your posting entrances me. I grew up knowing about St. Martin, the soldier, and his generous gesture with the cloak. But I'd never heard about the lovely tradition in Germany of Martinmas Day.

    The gathering of friends in your home and the leisurely coming to agreement on what to do for the children of the village for Christmas and for the church where you gather is made warm by both fireplace and conviviality.

    Thanks for welcoming us in.

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  43. What a shame more isn't made of Martinmas here in the UK- instead of the growing emphasis on Halloween.
    I love the atmospheric photographs.

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  44. Despite the mist, wonderful views, Friko - which might be a metaphor -

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  45. Yes , it's important to look forward at this time of year and to plan good things to lighten the winter gloom . And a childrens' party is very cheering for everyone , not just the young .

    The St. Martin's home-made lanterns this year were as varied as ever .... we made snails but I saw Hello Kitty! ( of course) , castles and butterflies .... and a plastic bottle with hastily overglued tinsel , carried by a scruffy Just William sort of boy .

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  46. What an idyllic place to live! The pictures make me ache with longing ... surely I lived there in another life...

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  47. A nicely balanced post, Friko. I can't imagine that you'll ever run out of things to write about.

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  48. I think I'd very much enjoy an evening sat in front of an open fire, glugging whole bottles of wine in one go with you, Friko!
    Joking aside, you write so well, it's hard to imagine your company being anything less than captivating and engaging. Such talent.

    Lucy

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  49. Lovely post Friko... and the pictures took my breath away- beautiful~

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  50. Lovely pictures. As long as you have a camera and your fantastic eye for composition you have wonderful blogging material

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  51. This anglophile wants nothing more than just these pictures, just this story of a fire and friends and promises. It's exactly what I needed and how did you know?

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  52. You've really captured so much with this post, very stirring!

    I gave you one of my weekly Goddess Awards for your sidebar if you like.

    In joy,
    Elise

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  53. Michaelmas I've known, but not Martinmas. There can't be too many remembrances, too many festivals as the darker time of year descends - I'm happy to add this one.

    And what a picture you paint, in images and words. It makes me homesick for my years in Liberia, where dinner, conversation and smoothing the rough edges of community life were entertainment enough.

    So good to know it's still happening in other places!

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  54. I noticed you visited my blog, so I wanted to come and check you out. I like your pictures! I'm gonna follow!

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  55. An evening that resulted in much good. I like the idea of ladies of a certain age taking the load from the young mums. Every Blessing with your plans.
    PS - I, like others can't imagine you finding it hard to find blog material, you are so inventive.

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  56. Thank you for once again transporting me to another world, a different holiday, the warmth of your meal before the fire... And the plans. And there could be no pictures that afford more peace than the farmlands, marked pastures on those hillsides.

    To slow down... in Connecticut here in the USA, this is too often a foreign concept here. to simply BE with one another and let plans sort of flow forward in the course of the meal and the drink and the night. ... And plans for celebrations grow so elaborate, requiring such commitment of time and resources, that the purpose too often gets lost.

    I will have our Thanksgiving quietly at home this year, with my best friend. We need the peace, the quiet, and to simply enjoy one another's company without having to be "social" in the public sense. And give thanks.

    Your plans are already blessed I am sure. Thank you. Oh. I said that. So what? Thank you.

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  57. I love the way you wound this story in St. Martin's cape. I'm sure much good will come of your evening's conversation--that is how things get done.

    Your photographs are gorgeous (love that mist!).
    Thank you.

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