I have NEVER seen this on a tombstone before. Didn't half make me do a double take! I will assume it was a note to incline the reader towards getting their spiritual house in order before it was too late.
Kilvert was only Curate here for a year before leaving. He didn't even get to live in the Rectory as that was occupied by someone else, so he had to rent rooms in the village of St. Harmon. This village was on the old Mid-Wales line which came up from Rhayader through the beautiful Gilfach valley (now a Nature Reserve, and where Tam and I did a walk back in May I think). I imagine he did a lot of walking in the Elan Valley (before it was flooded) but the diary he wrote when he was at St Harmon was burned by Mrs Essex Hope, a relative, along with many others (originally there were 22, only 3 survived). Apparently "they were too personal" . . .
Above and below: I wasn't drawn to this bleak countryside - bleak in July - imagine it in January . . .
Water levels have dropped a fair bit . . .
Wild mountain Thyme. I am singing the words to that Folk song in my head - we used to sing it at Folk Club in Wareham, Dorset, SO many years ago now. A link to the Corries singing it is highlighted above.
Beautiful Dog Roses (we have the white ones growing in our hedge here).
We left home in HOT sunshine and were expecting the same weather for our stroll along the reservoir! Fortunately it held off.
Above and below: this drystone walling a LONG way up. No wonder they had a hospital in the village, with plenty of customers (eye problems especially, I understand - chips from stone flying off and giving injuries.) Note: dry stone walling UNDER that long length of boulder . . .
Above and below: cottages in Rhayader. We popped into the Charity Shop, an Antiques Shop and then bought some oranges. Won't be darkening THAT shop's doors any more - 4 medium Naval oranges and 4 good Manderins . . . £4.40 please. Hay prices!
