A look at what interests me and keeps me sane in rural Powys.
Thursday, 15 May 2025
Wonderful day
I had a really LOVELY day out. Spent too much, but what the hell. Tewkesbury Abbey amazing. Such history. Back with photos on Saturday as babysitting tomorrow.
I couldn't resist buying the pattern for this puss-cat . . .
You are sounding so alive BB. It does me good to hear that. Cannot wait to read about the abbey. Tewkesbury is the place I think where the abbey floats above the waters when flooding occurs which of course happens much more frequently nowadays. One good reason why churches are always built on the highest point of a settlement. I spent a peaceful hour in Chichester cathedral today. I escaped from the hospital (where S still resides) for a pot of tea in the cloisters cafe (visitors are not allowed tea from the trolley even if they are there all day and the hospital only offers a dingy Costa coffee place) and then I sat in the cathedral by the Arundel tomb. I’m sure you know the poem by Philip Larkin inspired by this tomb - it’s last line is, “What will survive of us is love”. One day I will try and go to evensong at 5.30. But S has turned the corner and is much improved today and I’m getting organised with ordering a shower chair, toilet handrail/guard, walking frame and a step ramp for outside which are all being delivered to home next Wednesday. It’s been a dreadful time and who knew contracting a chest infection would have such a calamitous effect, but apparently that’s Parkinson’s for you. The Occupational therapist who has only been working with S for three days has been wonderful. S has gone from being bed bound with a catheter and IV fluids and the Parkinson’s meds being administered through his nose to walking with me by his side for support to the toilet today. He is painfully thin but ate all the hospital food today supplemented by lots of tasty nutritious and calorific food from home. When I was out at the cathedral he phoned me to ask when I was coming back, and he phoned me tonight to say goodnight. He so desperately wants to come home. He will have been in hospital three weeks on Saturday. Tomorrow at 9am I have a minor surgery at the medical centre so I’ll see how I am and if I feel at all fragile afterwards I’ll stay home resting. I’m so tired and don’t feel especially well myself and a day spent quietly at home sounds very tempting. Might even get my chilli red Camber top sewn together. I treated myself today. I bought a rose quartz pendant on a silver chain from the crystal shop. This tiny shop is down a small side lane off one of the four streets that radiate out from the Market Cross and for some inexplicable reason I was pulled along. I don’t know the properties of rose quartz but I feel sure they must include healing and kindness. Hope Rosie is a good girl for you. Drive safely. Sarah x
I have a turned a corner with my ability to deal with life, now I am sleeping better and we have spring and sunshine here. My brain sems to be able to work out sewing problems again now too! Yes, Tewksbury is always surrounded by but not under water when the Severn floods. I never went inside Chichester Cathedral, but know the line from Larkin's poetry.
I am sorry that S is still in hospital - it brings back Keith's stay when he had pneumonia, so I know exactly what you are both going through. Keith lost so much weight whilst he was in there and we had to insist on him going home in the end for fear he would starve to death, as he detested the hospital "food".
I hope that your minor surgery went ok, and hasn't wrong-footed you so you need to rest. Hospital visiting and trying to support S whilst he is there is exhausting. I had over an hour's drive each way to Hereford, for weeks on end, and that in itself was exhausting.
I am not surprised you were led to the rose quartz crystal. It has powerful healing qualities for physical and emotional health, including relieving stress. When I had reoccurring chest infections I was drawn to a rutilated quartz - it's meant to strengthen your personal growth and inner will, but in me I could feel it almost burning in my hand and it had an affect on my breathing. It still has that almost fizzing feeling if I hold it.
Sadly little Rosie was poorly, running a temperature, and just wanted either cuddles/sleep or to be outside in the sunshine. She loves being outside.
I know, it will take a bit of putting together but hopefully will look something like that one when it's done. I just have to balance the garden with "indoor life" now!!!
It was a very Indulgent day! But I had worked hard baking all those cakes (especially doing the research and experimenting with egg substitutes for the Vegan ones - glad when I found no vegans actually ON the course). I reckon spending every penny of the money I'd been paid was a good reward!
It had a wonderfully serene atmosphere and I want to go back. It's only 13 miles from Malvern, so doable on a quieter Fleamarket day, when I haven't lingered.
Look forward to photos of the Abbey as its many many years since I went there .I'm glad you had a lovely day out, quite a journey from home - what were the roads like?
Traffic not to bad, but certain stretches of road are a challenge on the eyesight for Hereford a bit backwards in coming forward to do repairs! The only one they did very quickly was a car-sized hole near the Weir, which happened after heavy rain when I was visiting Keith in Hereford hospital.
Oh if you have time and energy, I wouldn't say no and would of course refund your postage. When I was at school, I was going to make soft toys in my sewing class, but changed my mind. Knowing how badly I sewed then, it was just as well!!
That cat is lovely. You are going to be in full 'mini clothes making' mode for a while. What a great way to use up some of your small pieces of fabric AND make little Rosie very happy. 😀
I love the cat. If only I had a small person to make things for but that is not to be. Our good friends live in Tewkesbury and we've visited them many times and been to the Abbey. When their daughters were little I made them rabbit Cinderella dolls, the kind where the other character is underneath the long skirt. I love the little back streets in Tewkesbury too. Unfortunately I don't think I could persuade my husband to drive there and back in the same day.
I went to Tewkesbury once on a coach trip in my 20s. Don't remember a thing about it now! I want to go back and spend longer there - I saw lots of charity shops as I drove to and from the Abbey, and want to explore the little back streets too, they sound good.
You are sounding so alive BB. It does me good to hear that. Cannot wait to read about the abbey. Tewkesbury is the place I think where the abbey floats above the waters when flooding occurs which of course happens much more frequently nowadays. One good reason why churches are always built on the highest point of a settlement. I spent a peaceful hour in Chichester cathedral today. I escaped from the hospital (where S still resides) for a pot of tea in the cloisters cafe (visitors are not allowed tea from the trolley even if they are there all day and the hospital only offers a dingy Costa coffee place) and then I sat in the cathedral by the Arundel tomb. I’m sure you know the poem by Philip Larkin inspired by this tomb - it’s last line is, “What will survive of us is love”. One day I will try and go to evensong at 5.30. But S has turned the corner and is much improved today and I’m getting organised with ordering a shower chair, toilet handrail/guard, walking frame and a step ramp for outside which are all being delivered to home next Wednesday. It’s been a dreadful time and who knew contracting a chest infection would have such a calamitous effect, but apparently that’s Parkinson’s for you. The Occupational therapist who has only been working with S for three days has been wonderful. S has gone from being bed bound with a catheter and IV fluids and the Parkinson’s meds being administered through his nose to walking with me by his side for support to the toilet today. He is painfully thin but ate all the hospital food today supplemented by lots of tasty nutritious and calorific food from home. When I was out at the cathedral he phoned me to ask when I was coming back, and he phoned me tonight to say goodnight. He so desperately wants to come home. He will have been in hospital three weeks on Saturday. Tomorrow at 9am I have a minor surgery at the medical centre so I’ll see how I am and if I feel at all fragile afterwards I’ll stay home resting. I’m so tired and don’t feel especially well myself and a day spent quietly at home sounds very tempting. Might even get my chilli red Camber top sewn together. I treated myself today. I bought a rose quartz pendant on a silver chain from the crystal shop. This tiny shop is down a small side lane off one of the four streets that radiate out from the Market Cross and for some inexplicable reason I was pulled along. I don’t know the properties of rose quartz but I feel sure they must include healing and kindness. Hope Rosie is a good girl for you. Drive safely. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteI have a turned a corner with my ability to deal with life, now I am sleeping better and we have spring and sunshine here. My brain sems to be able to work out sewing problems again now too! Yes, Tewksbury is always surrounded by but not under water when the Severn floods. I never went inside Chichester Cathedral, but know the line from Larkin's poetry.
DeleteI am sorry that S is still in hospital - it brings back Keith's stay when he had pneumonia, so I know exactly what you are both going through. Keith lost so much weight whilst he was in there and we had to insist on him going home in the end for fear he would starve to death, as he detested the hospital "food".
I hope that your minor surgery went ok, and hasn't wrong-footed you so you need to rest. Hospital visiting and trying to support S whilst he is there is exhausting. I had over an hour's drive each way to Hereford, for weeks on end, and that in itself was exhausting.
I am not surprised you were led to the rose quartz crystal. It has powerful healing qualities for physical and emotional health, including relieving stress. When I had reoccurring chest infections I was drawn to a rutilated quartz - it's meant to strengthen your personal growth and inner will, but in me I could feel it almost burning in my hand and it had an affect on my breathing. It still has that almost fizzing feeling if I hold it.
Sadly little Rosie was poorly, running a temperature, and just wanted either cuddles/sleep or to be outside in the sunshine. She loves being outside.
Oh my, that puss-cat is just so cute. I don't blame you for being unable to resist that purchase.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I know, it will take a bit of putting together but hopefully will look something like that one when it's done. I just have to balance the garden with "indoor life" now!!!
DeleteThe kitty is darling, what a fun project. I'm so glad you had a good day.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very Indulgent day! But I had worked hard baking all those cakes (especially doing the research and experimenting with egg substitutes for the Vegan ones - glad when I found no vegans actually ON the course). I reckon spending every penny of the money I'd been paid was a good reward!
DeleteThe scene of the abbey looks very peaceful. Gardens and old wooden doors do that for me. Your kitty and her new dress are so cute.
ReplyDeleteIt had a wonderfully serene atmosphere and I want to go back. It's only 13 miles from Malvern, so doable on a quieter Fleamarket day, when I haven't lingered.
DeleteLook forward to photos of the Abbey as its many many years since I went there .I'm glad you had a lovely day out, quite a journey from home - what were the roads like?
ReplyDeleteTraffic not to bad, but certain stretches of road are a challenge on the eyesight for Hereford a bit backwards in coming forward to do repairs! The only one they did very quickly was a car-sized hole near the Weir, which happened after heavy rain when I was visiting Keith in Hereford hospital.
DeleteI ought to go through my patterns and send to you. I have loads for all sorts of things that I think you'd love to make, like Mrs Rabbit!
ReplyDeleteOh if you have time and energy, I wouldn't say no and would of course refund your postage. When I was at school, I was going to make soft toys in my sewing class, but changed my mind. Knowing how badly I sewed then, it was just as well!!
DeleteThat cat is lovely. You are going to be in full 'mini clothes making' mode for a while. What a great way to use up some of your small pieces of fabric AND make little Rosie very happy. 😀
ReplyDeleteIt will make a change from big quilts! Rosie loves cuddly toys and her favourite is a rather large cat, nearly as big as her!
DeleteI love the cat. If only I had a small person to make things for but that is not to be. Our good friends live in Tewkesbury and we've visited them many times and been to the Abbey. When their daughters were little I made them rabbit Cinderella dolls, the kind where the other character is underneath the long skirt. I love the little back streets in Tewkesbury too. Unfortunately I don't think I could persuade my husband to drive there and back in the same day.
ReplyDeleteI went to Tewkesbury once on a coach trip in my 20s. Don't remember a thing about it now! I want to go back and spend longer there - I saw lots of charity shops as I drove to and from the Abbey, and want to explore the little back streets too, they sound good.
DeleteI love the cat!
ReplyDelete