A Small World

Winter Refit - James Dodds

Linocuts bring back memories of home made Christmas cards and  fingers cut, as I carved out the robins and holly on a lino tile in an effort to make a reasonable print on coloured sugar paper. Now The Curate and I are delighted to own this superb print by James Dodds, who comes from the area where The Curate and I grew up and met. All the paintings, prints and craft in our house reflect some point in our life together and  help to make our house a home.  

Two summers ago, The Curate and I wanted some art work that reminded us of the River Blackwater in Essex (in the south east England)- where we originally met. We searched the art galleries in Maldon and we could not agree on any one piece - until I spotted a few frames turned against the wall. They were waiting to be hung  and I asked if I could look at them. Immediately we recognised the location in 'Winter Refit' as being a very familiar old haunt on the River Blackwater.  There is was - the picture chose us!

On researching the artist, it appears that James Dodds served his time in the shipwright's trade in a yard where they refitted and rebuilt the huge wooden sailing barges that were familiar to the River Blackwater. Then I remembered my mother had given us a copy of 'The Shipwright's Trade' by Rudyard Kipling and illustrated with wood and linocuts by James Dodds. I looked at it again and discovered that the foreword is written by The Curate's old form teacher.

The Curate's Study

This large linocut hangs in The Curate's study now  - a long way from the location depicted in the print. Since becoming a curate, The Curate has met some delightful people who have migrated to this part of the world, from the East coast. The Curate used to visit a lady in our last parish, who grew up in the same area and it turned out that she went to the same school as The Curate. She left in 1947 - before The Curate was born. They spent afternoons together, talking about life in Essex. 

Last Sunday, I accompanied The Curate to two churches in our rural parishes. As I sat in the pew in the second church, a lady joined me and we started to talk. It turned out that she too, had grown up in the same village as The Curate and she had gone to the same school. This time, the lady had left in the mid 50s - a little before The Curate was born. 

One teacher was a common link for both these ladies and The Curate.  One particular teacher had begun his career when the lady from the North Coast went to Maldon Grammar and he retired while The Curate was still at school. These unexpected coincidences are a gift to us, as they have helped both The Curate and myself get to know new people in new places and those people get to know us.

Waiting

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A wet walk on Chocolate box Dartmoor

This is mud ... not chocolate!

We walked near Hexworthy today. There had been an early frost with clear skies but we missed that. By the time we were on the moor, the grey skies had returned and rain was threatening.

Everywhere we look, there are scenes that would be perfect for puzzle boxes...or a chocolate box lid.

The scenery is less bleak here. The thatched cottages are thick walled, ancient and the thatch is dripping with moss. The lichen covered trees lean into the hillside to avoid the winds. The dogs run ahead, sinking into the black, peaty ground. The paths are submerged under water from the recent heavy rains and The Collie runs ahead, then turns back to beckon us on.

The rain return and The Curate quickens his pace - this is wet, cold, winter rain. Time to go home.

A welcome shelter

There are complete Fig roots over Angkor Wat!

At last - Fig roots over Angkor Wat is complete! Our table can be cleared. The Curate can go back to work  :) . That is the best £3.50 we have spent - hours of entertainment and distraction from work. We bought this in a charity shop so we will be returning it when we next go into town. We will remember it fondly as it is the first puzzle we have completed together ( I did hold onto the final piece!). Our old age together is ensured, as there is a world of puzzles waiting for us.

Blogging the progress certainly worked, The Curate was determined not to have an incomplete puzzle blogged for another week! 

 See progress here:-
week 3   week 4

Persimmons, pomegranites, poached pears and pots of marmalade - home making..

 

As the year rolls through the Autumn season towards winter, so I am beginning to feel a sense of belonging in our new surroundings. We have moved the furniture around to try and make better use of the limited space.Our dresser tends to be a bit of a dumping spot so moving this with all its contents, made me realise how we are starting to settle in. As well as the wonderfully coloured pomegranates and persimmons that I couldn't resist buying in the market, there is an   odd collection of objects to remind me to count my blessings.

* We have had wonderful support and help to look after our dogs when The Curate has had training days or when we have had to go away.  On the dresser there are souvenirs of our travels: - a Moroccan, henna patterned finger drum, bowls from Andalusia and a camel from our son in Dubai.(There is also a card on the shelf from our amazing friend and neighbour in our last parish who we relied on.We wondered how we were going to cope without her in this parish .)

   

* An unexpected pot of homemade marmalade was left on our doorstep as a thank you to The Curate. We would like to have invited them in - maybe next time.

* We have enjoyed the company of new friends and The Curate and I enjoyed a day of shopping and cooking together to prepare for the meal (I did the seasonal poached pears). 

* I have managed to have conversations with people that are not about church or The Bible. These are The Curate's department, - I don't mind talking about these - but I would like people to get to know me. I'm interested in art and local crafts - hence the jugs and bowls on the dresser.

*  There are a few dried flowers saved from the flowers that were given to me when we left the last parish. We regularly  think about everyone 'up north'.

* The Toby jug reminds me of my father (he didn't look like that!) as it belonged to him and the balloon lady belonged to my grandparents. My mother gave me the unusual bronze ceramic jug. I am fortunate to be part of a large family,although we are not geographically very close to them.

* We  have a garden (even if it is a little challenging in location) and space for the dogs and the ring of dried red chillies grown in my last garden, reflect my love of gardening and being outside.

* There is a dish of lollipops left over from Halloween - we didn't have any callers this year (maybe next year) so The Curate is helping himself to these.

* The Christmas decoration was accidentally left out of the parcel to oldest son, who will be in Australia /Malaysia for Christmas. He and his girl friend decorated the dining table with the two red candles when they cooked a meal for us here earlier in the year.

* The tankard was given to The Curate by younger son and celebrates a significant birthday and The Curate's enjoyment of home brew(ing)!

* The ceramic bottle stopper was from NQT - younger son's girlfriend  - as usual the bottle is empty so only the stopper remains.

Today there are a few more bits and pieces on the dresser since I took the photo - pieces of The Puzzle, cameras, a photo...It is when I look at these things that I realise that we do have a home here, -  not just a house.

Autumn walk to Little and Great Mis Tor

Setting out with an easy objective of  reaching Little and Great Mis Tor

The weather was perfect although the light was a little hazy.

The Curate feels the need to hold up Little Mis Tor.

At fourteen years old, our Lakeland still manages to keep up. She blends into the autumn coloured moor perfectly.

The light is fading as we head down again so we quicken our step.

Time to head home.

The Curate is still puzzled! Week 4

Progress is slow!(see week 3)