On a bright and sunny afternoon we drove to the Parish Church of St John the Baptist on Church Lane, Boldre, where we met Elizabeth for a wander round the cemetery. These two images are Jackie’s.
She also pictured largely lichen-covered arboreal delights, and
various gravestones and crosses,
including the Burton family memorial to father, mother, and five year old son. Col. William Henry Burton (late Madras), according to the London Gazette, retired on an Indian pension and extra annuity in December 1890.
She finally focussed on the Chisman Brothers’ lichen-splashed memorial bench. Cecil died suddenly aged 40. I don’t know about William.
I, too, focussed on various flora;
on general views; on individual lichen and moss layered stones;
and on the House family monument of which Jackie had featured the semi-profiled lilies.
We still cannot make out the identity of either this little girl photographed on our last visit or the person watched over by this spotted angel.
Nature has converted wood and stone into palettes on which to apply her own gentle hues.
Unfortunately I have to report that, despite the warning sign, dumping even occurs on hallowed ground.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s creative cottage pie flavoured with cumin and thyme, and topped with potato and parsnip slices; flavoursome Brussels sprouts; crunchy carrots and meaty gravy with which she finished the Sauvignon Blanc and I drank Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017.
Amazing views of nature’s handiwork.
Thanks very much, Peggy
Oh, that little girl! How she touched my heart. A beautiful, peaceful, melancholy place to wander. Why the heck would anyone dump trash there?
Thanks very much, Laurie. You might well ask about the trash.
Ugh!
So many beautiful photos, Derrick. I can’t pick a favorite.
Many thanks, Merril
A positive feast of lichen and moss. Just my cup of tea.
I thought you would like it, Tootlepedal 🙂 Thanks a lot.
I found Jackies photo of the lichen-splashed memorial bench to be poignantly touching Derrick…
It really is, Ivor. Thanks very much
My pleasure Derrick
Jackie and Derrick…your photos are spectacular…they bring joy! 🙂
Nature is terrific at creating masterpieces! Thank you for capturing so many for us to see! Delightful! 🙂
The angel and little girl sculptures are so memorable and moving! <3
Oh, gosh! 🙁 and UGHS on the trash dumping anywhere, but there…even worse! Makes me sad.
(I've been known to pick up stuff like that in public and take it to the nearest dumpster or garbage bin.)
(((HUGS))) and <3 to you two! 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much from us both, Carolyn. I began carrying a bag on my walks picking up litter, but soon gave up.
Yes, it could be a full time job.
Just so sad people are so litter-y. 🙁
Loved that, Derrick. Wonderful shots – and I have some fairly special memories of Boldre. Why would some pillock want to dump their rubbish there? – it’s appalling. I suppose neutering isn’t an option?
Jill’s “buried alive” suggestion may fit the bill, Mike. I’m pleased about your memories. Thanks very much.
I firmly believe that those who have desecrated the holy and honored grounds will reap their reward some time and some where.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Maj
Those liter bugs should be buried alive! How terrible that someone would dump trash there…disgraceful. Gorgeous shots by both of you. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, too, Jill, from us both
These are beautiful as well as artistic photos of the cemetery and residents. The lichen covered memorial bench is almost like a tombstone itself. That one gravestone with the moss growing up it is very interesting. The moss pattern almost looks like a green-hooded ghost! Rain, snow, sun, and the Lilliputian forests of lichens and mosses eventually cover Man’s handiwork, returning it to whence it came.
Very thoughtful comments, Lavinia. I’m pleased you saw the moss figure. Thank you very much
Lovely comments, Lavinia.
🙂
Your post title is perfect. I love the combination of stone, moss and lichen, Jackie’s perspective of the splayed gravestones, and the spotted angel. The gravestone on the right in the row of three looks like it has a moss man (or woman) rising from the grave.
Thank you very much, JoAnna. I’m so pleased you spotted the moss zombie
🙂
The sense I have from the photographs is that each person has rested in his or her grave undisturbed since the day they were buried, as nature welcomes them home. The cross with the lilies is very beautiful.
Thank you very much, Liz. You have caught the sense vey well.
That is an assembly of graceful departed, stony and grim in their disposition, standing still in an other-worldly communion, dressed in moss and lichen and fabric of fungi, spotted with memories and barbs of weather, testament of ephemerality of everything living. The overall aura is majestic, even if melancholic. The composers of those pictures are blessed with a unique eye for detail.
Thank you so much, Uma. Your comments constitute a prose poem
I am glad you liked it!
Indeed. Lovely.
🙂
Stunning sir.
Thanks very much, Gary
Shame about the dumping!
Yes. Unfortunately there is a fair bit of it in the forest. Thanks very much, Helen.
Isn’t there everywhere!
There is, but it is even more annoying when a lovely area is chosen to receive it.
Indeed – so disrespectful.
If grave stones could talk what amazing history of so many lives could be told.
Indeed, Chrissy. Thanks very much.
These are peaceful, tranquil scenes which illustrate the passing of time so well. It is a real shame that many of our oldest cemeteries have been vandalised and are no longer cared for by the respective municipalities. The trend to use polished granite for headstones makes me wonder what they will look like in a hundred years from now.
Some of today’s are already losing their applied lead lettering, Anne. Thank you very much.
Good work Derrick. No snow then?
No snow, Andrew. Thanks very much
No snow here, just rain!
“Creative”, a good adjective for cooking. Great pics, as usual.
Thanks a lot, Billy
I absolutely love the photo of the lichen covered bench. It’s so poetic.
Thanks very much, Sam. Jackie is very pleased.
I wonder how the hundreds and hundreds of English parish churches finished up with a particular saint. Boldre has St John the Baptist, our church was St Stephen and when there are so many St Marys, who decides which church gets the franchise?
There’s quite some research there, John. Thanks very much.
Everyone else has already highlighted all of the salient points I would have made. Suffice to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed this delightful visit – the photography is engaging, your writing comfortably lyrical and the meal you enjoyed at the end of your day, quite mouthwatering.
I am always drawn to mosses, lichens, aged stone, trees, bark! You ticked all the boxes for me, Derrick. Thank you!
That is lovely, Desirée. Thank you very much
Cemeteries can be surprisingly lovely spots as your wonderful photos revealed.
Thank you very much, Sheree
I know how interesting old cemeteries can be. I haven’t been to one in about 2 years, but I remembered going from stone to stone, taking pictures and working my way so far away from the car I was panting when I got back.
🙂 You may realise that this is our third trip to this one. There is scope for more.
Always, and I enjoy the pictures!
🙂
I echo the comments above. Such beautiful, peaceful images of light and dark, soft and hard, and the cycle of life.
The towering black silhouette of the tree against the grey sky depicts winter’s chapter of the pattern of the seasons poignantly, too.
So sad to see the bag of rubbish. But the deep respect, love and nature’s beauty in that churchyard is what will endure – not the thoughtless transgression of the litterer. 🙂
So very well appreciated, Emma. Thanks very much
It is like the moss is trying to reclaim those gravestones!
Indeed, Amanda. Thanks very much
What a delightful old cemetery. they are always a treasure to explore. thanks for the interlude Derrick! waves across the miles..
And thanks to you, Dymoon, my friend
Beautiful photos, the lichen adds an elegant touch! The photo of that little girl has got such an intriguing air to it.
Oh! Ik ben weer the outsider from Holland en hoef ik géén é-mailtjes meer te hebben . . . Nee, ik studeerde géén Engels in London, of weet ik veel in Oxfort … Computers en tante Friet … , nee voor géén meter, hè …
Maar, ik wil u niet missen ook al woon ik in Amsterdam. Als u in Amsterdam bent vang ik u en Jackie op! Zo . . . , dat beloof ik u! Elfriede * http://www.friedabblog.wordpress.com * Amsterdam, 16-1-2021, 21.11 uur … Amsterdamse wintertijd *
Heel erg bedankt, Frieda
Marvelous set of photos, enhanced by sunlight.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
In the set just above the lily-adorned cross, the bright green, moss-covered stone looks remarkably like an Orthodox icon. it really is unusual and eye-catching.
It does, indeed, Linda. Thank you very much
I am drawn to that lichen-splashed memorial bench. Don’t want to sit on it, though. Great photo! That last cross is quite beautiful, too. Cemeteries certainly hold a lot of history and tell interesting stories, don;t they?
They do, Jan. Thank you very much.
A wonderful series of images. I really like the way you spend your days. Keep doing it Derrick and Jackie.
Thank you very much from us both, Rupali
Sun? You had sun? Heavens to Murgatroid!!! 😀
Just the one day 🙂 Thanks a lot, Widders
We had one day here too. It was glorious 😀 … then it rained again.
A wonderful array of moss and lichen covered gravestones! Nature’ palette is beautiful. 💚
Thanks very m much, Louise 🙂
Oh wow! Snowdrops already? A beautiful and sunny day! I always feel that these photos hide a part of history!
They do, Ribana. Thanks very much.