Today dawned grey, wet, and bone-chillingly cold - not a day for working out in the wood or the garden.
I decided to go and photograph the ruins at Calceby.
I hold my hands up, it was probably a housework avoidance tactic.
St Andrew's Church, Calceby.
The last service held here was in 1692.
The church was constructed of chalk and dressed with local stone, which apparently means that the parish was not wealthy.
The ruins stand on a knoll near a deserted medieval village.
Opinions vary on why the village was abandoned - was it down to differences in farming practice and less need for farm labourers - or was it because of bubonic plague?
Bubonic plague decimated the population in villages just a mile or so away in 1631, so that could be a factor.
Rumour has it that there was a tunnel dug under the church - indeed a woman who spent her younger days just a little further down this hill, at the Grange, says that she discovered the exit, but was not allowed to try to dig to find the tunnel under the church!
Probably just as well given the perilous state of the ruins
All that remains is the Norman tower arch and some portions of outer walls.
I understand that when the church was abandoned the main doors were taken to a nearby village church, I'll go there and take a look when I get the chance.
This is the view from the church this morning - it was bitterly cold and drizzling!
The ruins viewed from the road...
..and this is the small lay-by where we had to park.
It looks pretty grim and it can be pretty grim at times because the rabbits and badgers sometimes dislodge skulls and bones from the graveyard up that hill.
I'm happy to report there were no bones there today.
This is the lovely old manor house and farm, located just a few yards from the ruins.
Sorry, by this time I was too wet and cold to run up the road for better photographs.
I'm sure that the place was a sacred site long before this church was built, unfortunately I haven't been able to discover a great deal more.
Even on a day like today the site had a wonderfully peaceful air about it, the kind that I often feel in a well-loved and much prayed-in church.
It was worth braving the elements, but I was pleased to get back home for a good cup of tea.
The archtecture of the barn looks Dutch.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Jane, It's an interesting building - I'll do some research on the place and get back to you.
DeleteHow excited I was to read your post today. I can almost place myself there, enjoying it with you.
ReplyDeleteHouse cleaning will always be there. Now for some afternoon tea!
Meggie, I am so pleased you enjoyed seeing it. The ruins are only a couple of miles from our house and I love getting the feel of places like that.
DeleteThe housework did eventually get done - after a couple of cups of tea.
Thanks for getting cold and wet in order to share this. Two cups for you.
ReplyDeleteJoanne,
DeleteYou are getting to know me so well, I did have two cups of tea when I got back in. Very restorative! I really enjoyed visiting the ruins so I'm pleased you enjoyed seeing them.
Lovely, lovely photos! Makes me want to visit the UK again (it's been almost five years.) You have the BEST ruins!
ReplyDeleteKnatolee, So pleased you enjoyed the ruins, they are places where your imagination can really have a wonderful time. Sounds to me like it's time you planned a trip to UK!
DeleteYou must follow your impulses so we can enjoy your photos. What's better than to take photos of ruins on a misty, foggy day. Housework? PAH. As Meggie says, house cleaning will always be there.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Janet, Thank you. The ruins are lovely, I have driven past them so often, thinking that I really must stop and visit one day. I'm so pleased that I did, they were very atmospheric. You're right, the housework hadn't done itself, it was still there!
DeleteWhat beautiful ruins - and what beautiful pictures of the ruins. It was like being taken on a virtual tour. Quite a testimonial to the quality of the architecture that the arch is still there. Much more important to photograph this than to do housework.
ReplyDeleteEvlyn, I absolutely adore visiting places like that both because they are visually pleasing and also because of the history and the mystery. The housework did get done later in the day, as those little housework elves hadn't been round to do it for me. Darn it!
DeleteAs an amature archeologist i took a trip there yesterday awsome place but found many human remains in roadside bank my 10 year old picked up a childs jaw bone !!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous, Oh my goodness, I suppose all the rain which we have had over the last few weeks has softened the ground, and the animals have dislodged them. I hope your child was not distressed by the experience. Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteNo they wanted to find the skull lol is the site protected at all do you know im in cleethorpes and would like to bring my archy group up for a good look round the site if the landowner will permit. thanks...chris.
ReplyDeleteHello Chris, I am fairly sure that it is protected in some way and you would certainly need permission to do anything other than look around it. It's a fascinating place, atmospheric, and beautiful.
DeletePS There is, as you know a layby to park in. There is a gate into the field (walk down, heading towards the corner and you will see it) for access. Providing you "follow the country code" and close the gate, and don't do any digging, etc then there shouldn't be a problem with access.
DeleteThanks for that the layby is where we found the bones , ill try and find the land owner always best to get permission ..cheers.
ReplyDelete