Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs. ~William Shakespeare
More on the diary:
This time I will just copy her words as they say enough. She is in southern Wales. They love Abbeys, Cathedrals and Castles.
"Staunton and Coleford were quite ordinary. From Bream, decidedly pretty with lots of space and well sheltered by trees. Here we had a delightfully refreshing cup of tea and eats which heated us still more, then cooled us just as it should. A few miles further on we came through some pretty country and crossed the Wye to see Chepstow castle which is splendidly situated overlooking the river which would have been lovely with a wee bit more H2O. The castle still presents quite a lot of itself enough to show how badly built it is. Just any kind of brick and stone has been used and set in no sort of order at all. We climbed up the tower, walked along the walls and after being pestered by a group of lively men, left. There is the old Priory building attached , quite a huge place. Its been with a church, has cloisters and the usual other rooms. The view of the Wye and the thickly wooded banks was splendid and there is a Green below which was spoilt by loungers and paper and oil. We were very intrigued by the bell we had to pull hard to get in! Also by the old wooden doors with their huge nails.
A short and pretty run through St Arvans (from which by exerting oneself a little, it is possible to get a beautiful view of the Wye and the Severn), we came to some beautiful avenues of trees and there was the Abbey – a huge ruin. To describe Tintern Abbey and Tintern Vale is a task for a talented painter or poet, so I read and indeed ‘tis true. It was a fine structure but alas, it was shut and we must go tomorrow to see it properly. Oh, it was lovely driving alongside the Wye, wonderful reflections of masses of beautiful trees in the still waters of the romantic Wye. For miles!. The sun a great orange-red ball disappeared behind a hill then when we moved to the right, it came out again to shine a little longer. Over the Wye to digs, a good wash, a little refreshment and a walk then to sleep – though heat doesn’t’ encourage matters!"
Apparently there was a heat wave in that part of Wales.
Such a lovely shot--like the smoke. The Shakespeare quote is WONDERFUL.
I'm assuming that is the Chepstow Castle that @annbo photographs. I feel like I know what your mum is talking about. I know I sound like I am repeating myself but I just LOVE how she writes.
Your mum has a lovely descriptive way with words, she conjours up the whole feel of that area & the hot summer. A great picture of smoke & rose to illustrate your quote.
Oh Maggie, This seems almost surreal to me, These are all places on my doorstep, I imagine the priory she talks about is St Marys Priory with its huge wooden doors where we were married!...I lived in Coleford for a while in a womans refuge with my 3 young children when i escaped my violent Ex husband from London where i had always lived, This was how i came to this magical area & began my new life! Tintern Abbey is another favourite place of mine too! & now feel that your mum is part of my life too now as she has shared the same experiences as me! @yonnie : )
@annbo It is so special that everywhere Mum has travelled in Great Britain, there has been a 365 friend who lives near or has been there! I feel that as I'm writing, I'm uncovering not only the 1929 past but 365 friends areas too! Thanks for your encouragment, Ann!
@chard Since it was started to be built in 1067, Richard, I've no doubt they had a good engineer overseeing it all. It might be a secret recipe! - take two bricks and 1/2 stone, pile on the mortar....etc
I, too, have seen the castle photos on Ann Stenson's site & they are so lovely. What an exciting life your mum had. Terrific quote by Shakespeare and your photo is awesome!
I'm assuming that is the Chepstow Castle that @annbo photographs. I feel like I know what your mum is talking about. I know I sound like I am repeating myself but I just LOVE how she writes.