Today there were many in these lovely costumes, promenading up and down the centre of Oamaru. A wealth of photos but these will do for now!
Mum’s1929 journal had several blank pages now, and I would expect it might have been the whisky she was offered when visiting the relations of her brother-in-law in Blackpool. She said she “loathes’ the stuff!
From there to Chester and I spent most of 3 hours researching names and places. An evening walk: “Just by the Dee, we stood high up and tried to drink in the beauty of the river and trees, with the old four arched bridges with perfect reflections, the whole mysteriously enveloped in the dusk” The Old Stanley Palace is fascinating where “the 7th Earl of Derby was hidden away up in the loft by his wife, a most beautiful lady whom afterwards, he betrayed. There were trapdoors and secret cupboards with skeletons inside. Then, the big chimney, up which he climbed to escape”. The Old Rows about which I’ve never heard of, Providence House, The Cross, the Cathedral where there are carved seats (misericord) in the Choir Stalls.
So what the heck, you ask yourself, is a misericord? In cathedrals (or priories, abbeys, Minster churches, collegiate churches and similar bodies) that started off as monastic foundations, the monks, canons and other clergy were not supposed to sit down for the duration of long services, however, in great human tradition they cheated! They added a small carved shelf to the underside of the choir stall known as a misericord or sometimes a mercy seat or pity seat or even miserere, so that when the seat was tipped up, they could park their bums on the shelf.
“Everywhere there were lovely little quotations in frames, not necessarily scriptural. One specially , about wee birdies wondering why humans are always dissatisfied. They decided it was because they had no God to look after them as we birdies have!”
I have a feeling she is going to Wales next….. 36000 words.
Wow Maggie you are really moving along with the journal now! I learned something else from her, miserere! Thse shots are nice, especially the guy looks so well picked for that costume ( bar the Nikon that is :))
@cdonohoue@cromwell Oamaru is a Victorian town with the architecture etc. For 4 days each year they have a victorian festival where anyone can dress up in costume, from various Wardrobes and they have a big Fete, steam railway, penny farthing races, Charles Dickens talks, Organ recitals. This afternoon there is a Garden Party in the Public Gardens where maids in white dresses serve tea in nice cups and saucers and cakes and scones. No charge! A harpist will play. I"m going to dodge in and out of the trees, not in Victorian dress (I have done that in the past) and take photos!
Love the picture and the Victorian grab -- wouldn't it be funny if the chap with the camera was a 365-er and he posted a picture of you lurking in the woods taking pictures!
@catwoman2 That made me go and look at the tags and see if anyone mentioned Oamaru, Mary! I got so excited when I saw the word Oamaru .... then I found out it was me!
Very fun photo! I love the Victorian costumes. I like the last quote about the wee birdies best. It actually does correlate to a piece of scripture that has helped me often.
Great costumes and sounds like a grand time and a great opportunity for taking photos. Interesting story about the Earl. Can't wait for the next installment.
Dashing young fellow you captured there! Sounds like a really fun tribute to your city's heritage. As for your mother's journal- wow- 36000 words! What a treasure you have!
I have heard of the word misericord but never knew in what connection. Your mums journal is romping on , you will be sorry when it ends!!
These folk look very fine & dandy & it all sounds very interesting & will bring in lots of visitors to your town which is always good.
How fun it would be to attend that festival--although I have no Victorian clothes ; )
I know I must sound like a broken record, but i just think it is so cool that you have these journals from your mom--such an amazing treasure. And you are incredible to do all the research and not just guess what she's trying to say.
And I knew what a misericord was. Oh, what we pick up as a church secretary.
These folk look very fine & dandy & it all sounds very interesting & will bring in lots of visitors to your town which is always good.
I know I must sound like a broken record, but i just think it is so cool that you have these journals from your mom--such an amazing treasure. And you are incredible to do all the research and not just guess what she's trying to say.