We got caught up in delays caused by roadworks - usual thing,
queues of traffic, lots of maintenance vehicles,
no men working.
We waited...and waited.
My gaze fell upon some trees - several wonderful, long, rows of poplars,
which look a little out of place in this rural landscape.
My gaze fell upon some trees - several wonderful, long, rows of poplars,
which look a little out of place in this rural landscape.
I remember reading that these trees were planted with the intention
to sell them to Bryant and May,
the match company.
to sell them to Bryant and May,
the match company.
The company closed in the late 1980's.
Perhaps this is why these trees escaped the axe.
Perhaps this is why these trees escaped the axe.
So, they tower very elegantly over undulating farmland,
looking as though they lead to
somewhere quite grand.
somewhere quite grand.
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| © IWM (EPH 4207) |
I wonder how many match sticks were made from a single tree.
and just how many of these rows of trees
remain dotted around the countryside.
A crop which wasn't harvested.
Eventually, the lights changed and we moved on
to visit dear old Aunt Lillian.
The homeward journey is always sweeter.
Country roads, as much as possible.
Quiet, single track ones,
preferably.
We met no other traffic
and had time to enjoy views like this.
After a hasty sandwich I harnessed Toby Too
and we set off for a 'training' walk,
along this track...
After a hasty sandwich I harnessed Toby Too
and we set off for a 'training' walk,
along this track...
we both enjoy it,
for different reasons.
I like the peace
he loves the smells,
the possibility of
encountering a pheasant
or a rabbit.
At the end of the track is a paddock with a wonderful assortment of animals...
are these sheep or goats?
I am never quite sure.
They miss nothing.
They share the paddock with this fat little pony,
who is companion
to
this beautiful, milk-white steed
and a couple of little goats.
On misty evenings, as I look out across the barley field,
this lovely horse almost looks like
a unicorn.
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| borrowed from sodahead.com |
Poplars come in rows here, too. They are along property lines, and especially further west,where the trees are fewer. I love the match story. I never thought about the wood they're made from.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful views,and the white horse does have a magical air about him.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Lovely pix. Poplars were planted here on the birth of a daughter, on the understanding that they would be cut down aprox 20 years later to pay for the wedding.
ReplyDeleteNo one told me that Bryant & May had closed. That's dreadful; another permanent fixture that is no longer permanent.
Great picttures of your lovely countryside! Jx
ReplyDeleteI love the photos of the road and byways of the English countryside! Walking a dog is such a great way to get out and explore. I hope Aunt Lillian enjoyed your visit.
ReplyDeleteHello Elaine, They look a bit like Soay sheep to me. I used to be a spinster, but that's another story!
ReplyDeleteAre you able to let Toby Too off the lead yet?
LLX
Hello LL, A spinster ... sounds like another interesting story... As to Toby Too - I only let him off the lead in our fully fenced woodland at the moment. I know that with our wonderful trainer's help he will eventually be safe to go off the lead...which will be almost as scary as the first time one of my children went off on their own, so many years ago.
DeleteAnd there's the proof, you DO live in a storybook! Unbelievable photos.
ReplyDelete(I wonder why Bryant & May's felt it necessary to say "USE MATCHES SPARINGLY." Odd.)
Hello Mitch, I guess they have seen how many I sometimes get through while trying to light the Rayburn. ;-)
DeleteThose trees are lovely. So glad they weren't axed.
ReplyDeleteYour countryside photos are truly magical!
ReplyDeleteSheep!!
ReplyDeleteThe third from the left looks like one of my Soay sheep