We rarely get a sunny and dry day in January.
Benno and I took a camera out to see if there had been any changes since we last
ventured forth.
Sheep are still grazing in the Lower Pastures.
The river is back in his bed.
The meadows are dry enough for rubber boots;
we no longer sink in above the ankles.
The castle ruin is still standing;
What do you think, should it be rebuilt,
perhaps as an apartment block?
The views from up here are spectacular.
The silver birch on the bailey shows its true colours.
o-o-o-o-o-o
The Sun enters the House Of Aquarius
The man born under Aquarius shall be lonely and ireful; he shall have silver at thirty-two years, he shall win wherever he goeth, or he shall be sore sick. He shall have fear on the water and afterwards have good fortune, and shall go into diverse strange countries. He shall live to be seventy-five years after nature.
The woman shall be delicious and have many noises for her children; she shall be in great peril at twenty-four years, and thereafter in felicity. She shall have damage by beasts with four feet: and shall live seventy-seven years after nature.
The Kalendar of Shepheardes 1604
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58 comments:
How beautiful those verdant hillsides. And the blue sky over the castle.. sigh!
Wonderful post, Friko, ann your photographs do justice to this beautiful part of the world!
You do live in a beautiful part of the world Friko!
Luscious greens.
Sydney - City and Suburbs
I can stare at castle ruins & feel I am watching character develop.
Mine, its, etc..~Mary
Gorgeous photos, Friko. Oh to be in England now that spring is here—well, as least as soon as it is here.
Such a sweet and romantic place. What is a bailey?
Fantastic captures, Friko, of such a beautiful place! Really breathtaking! Love the castle ruins and the blue, blue skies! Terrific! Enjoy your week!
Sylvia
Such beautiful sights. The ruins are better... not apartments. :)
man what beautiful countryside...really just gorgeous...hope you enjoyed the day...
All that January rain is beginning to pay off with those beautiful greens.
I love broken down buildings like that -- just "out there." (Not so much in the city!) It's hard to believe your photos are so recent-- the green is wonderful and makes me happy indeed!
I found your join the site thing! I'm joined!
How glorious!!!!!!
Friko, before another word, I want to say no to the very idea of an apartment block on the site of that ancient ruin.
I've rapidly been running through my private listing of Aquarius babies I have known or known of. Think that Ronald Reagan was one.
That landscape around you is magnificent. Oh to be able to venture out for a walk with the prospect of such a view. I'm very glad that the river has resumed normal course. Hoping that bench you showed us before is now a place to sit on.
Best wishes to you, your beloved and, of course, to Benno.
xo
Friko, you live in a paradise. The reading is great. Is it from that old almanac?
Beautiful countryside, Friko. You must love it there. Jim
Are you sure you live in a real place? These photos are just out of this world. I can only imagine how wonderful your walk must have been.
I have three who were born under Aquarius. My granddaughters birthday is today, my oldest daughter's birthday is Wednesday, and my son's birthday is next week. I found this reading on Aquarius most interesting.
that is a very precise "oracle" [?] a bit scary. glad i'm not aquarian.
that green is blinding. i'm sure Benno had a ball, especially since he won't have to sink into mud now.
Now if only I could see YOUR views outside MY windows! Lovely.
I'm in love with those first two pictures. Do you mind if I download them for my "inspiration pictures" that I use to inspire my painting?
I cannot travel, so I surround myself sometimes with photos from places that hit my heart when I approach painting.
Bonza photos, especially the ones of the lush green pastures :-).
No, no, the castle is perfect as it is; let it slowly melt into the earth.
Beautiful photographs! Lucky Benny, who must have had a perfectly lovely time sniffing around, and never appreciated the beautiful view for a second. Well, that's if he's like my dogs. Maybe Benny is more observant of the visual landscape.
Your countryside looks just perfect, so neat and orderly.
Oh dear, I'm a bit worried about being an Aquarian now!
What beautiful captures of nature, serenity and contrasts.
No, no, never let them replace the castle with an apartment block. It would be so unfair to everyone else in England if the apartment dwellers have that lovely view you and Benno had on your walk!
Gorgeous day, gorgeous photos, Friko.
K
How beautiful! I do love that part of the world ... Many Aquarians in my life!
Wow - such amazing golden shots - and this is January? Just beautiful!
OK, I admit it! I'm homesick!
Great pictures.
Stewart M - Australia
Beatifull photos visiting from "Our World Tuesday"
Hello:
Just even the merest hint of sun makes all the difference and lifts the spirits. The landscape which surrounds you is absolutely wonderful and you have captured its majesty perfectly.
An apartment block on the castle mound...perfect, it will blend in beautifully. Can we buy 'off plan' ?!!
The last few comments I left I was unable to use the OPEN ID slot, so I used the NAME URL one, which does not allow people to click on a link to my blog. Ah, well, maybe Blogger will fix this, one of these days.
I love your photos, Friko, love the expansiveness of the countryside -- very different from Hawaii.
What a beautiful place and relaxing.
I always love to look at your beautiful rolling hills, Friko. You are very fortunate to live in such a place. I think the castle ruins are perfect just as they are.
Oh my!! What beautiful landscape shots!! Love them all
Hugs
SueAnn
How beautiful. Looks rather storybookish.
I'm sure English Heritage will give your development plans their full consideration . Rather in the same way they considered a friend's plan to paint her minute bathroom in her minute , but listed , terrace house in Bath another colour .
She can still see the raised eyebrow .
I enjoyed reading your Age of Aquarius story – you certainly had a difficult start in London. I can’t wait for the Fish and Chips episode – I like to eat it but working there… not so sure. At the time I was in San Francisco and I’ll have to write posts on it but I want to start by the beginning and I need to get back to my parents’ marriage first. My father had said that I would come back to Paris within two years having spent all my money – that did not happen.
My husband was born under the sign of Aquarius – now I need to find him a birthday present (not easy.) Your pictures of your countryside are what we think of England – very nice. If the castle had been here, there is a long time it would have been bulldozed to make way for a new mall!
What exquisite light!
Shropshire is so beautiful and your photos have captured that beauty perfectly. If I had to leave Mid-Wales, I would just jump over Offa's Dyke and settle in Shropshire.
Dear Friko,
The vista of your photographs fills me with wonder.
Peace.
Sorry you had trouble leaving comments on my blog. However, thank you for persevering. I wonder if it the browser you are using as no-one else has had similar problems... Otherwise it could be a Google issue. They are generally quite good about fixing things up.
My granddaughter Rita's birthday is January 21. She is now 19. I shall warn her about age 24. As she is beautiful, I can imagine any danger she might experience will come from a two legged beast of the male sort.
Her four-legged friend Boz is her best pal. I doubt he would harm her although he could probably protect her. He doesn't like competition. Dianne
It was tipping down here all day today. No wonder Aquarians are water carriers. Glad you managed to have a glitch of sunshine. The pictures are beautiful.
So green from all your moisture, Friko. The rolling pastures are beautiful. I really like that castle ruin - just as it is.
Restoring it as a castle would be a great idea. Even if they put appartments in it.
Greetings,
Filip
Cracking pictures - and I've never felt more convinced reading about Aquarians! That's almost me down to a tee......
Those green meadows have me almost in tears with longing.
Gorgeous pics and scenery...
JJRod'z
Thank you for sharing this slice of heaven!
Just spectacular.
You live in paradise, Friko! What gorgeous pictures!
Such beautiful scenery you get to enjoy there. You indeed live in a paradise!
And lovely words that accompanies those lovely photos. :)
How absolutely beautiful. Thank you. Those are greens we simply do not see in my part of Australia, and they make my heart sing.
To my eyes, you live in a fairytale!
I couldn't help but remember this, with my slight revision added:
Oh, to be in England
Now that April-in-January's there,
And whoever wakes in England
Sees, some morning, unaware,
That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf
Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,
While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough
In England—now!
Sometimes I think photographs help to make the inherently beautiful even more beautiful - they focus the eye, and make what could be overwhelming more accessible. Yours are marvelous!
So gorgeous and so peaceful! I'd love to be walking in England this year ...
I'm pleased to see the river has gone back to bed - hope he stays there.
Hi Friko .. great photos .. it always amazes me how quickly the overflowing river gets back into its bed ... and leaves the land green and wondrous - though you might be somewhat white today .. not enough moisture to generate snow here - but it's been trying!
I love your Kalendar of Shepheardes .. just delightful .. cheers Hilary
Wonderful. I look out on our somewhat barren landscape midwinter, snow on brown earth. Spring will be brief, windy, cold...and then hot dry summers that I love. But oh, wouldn't I love to wander those hills to the castle on the hill.
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