Bolton Priory

On Monday we visited Bolton Priory whilst Pip was in her fine art and 3D design lessons for that day.  The priory is only a short walk from where we ‘car camp’ near the village shop and information centre, so it’s a good chance to get the circulation moving and ease the pain in my lower back. 

Information on a decorative wooden board states that Prior Robert the first prior was in charge in 1126.  Thanks to bonkers Henry 8th many churches were ransacked and damaged, especially those who refused to declare allegiance to him only.  The other name associated with this space is ‘St Mary and St Cuthbert’ which signifies that it is Anglican - if it were Catholic it would be known as ‘Our Lady and St Cuthbert.’ Regardless of its current denominational leanings it really is a haven of peace and tranquility, and when you walk through its doors you are met with a recording of monks singing the divine office of the day.  All in all it’s a pretty good way to begin the week. 

 

The photo above is the country home of the Duke of Devonshire who owns the entire Bolton Abbey Estate.

Summer Writing Journal

 Over the summer I took part in a free writing course courtesy of the lovely Beth Kempton.  I decided to use the prompts in conjunction with art journaling as I could see it might be helpful in processing grief over Mum’s death.  Each day had a colour theme and you were encouraged to explore what that might mean through a series of questions and associated poetry reflections. 

Orange

A conversation with a tree. 

Blue

A poem where the last word in one line became the first in the next, I’m not entirely sure but I think the technical term is enjambment. 

Pink

This was inspired by photographs taken on my 3rd birthday. 

A Pink Haiku:

Birthday pink in June

Pink sunset on that last day

A cocoon of love. 

Yellow

‘From a seed of a lemon’ short story.

Brown

An autumn poem for Mum. 

White

 Social Media, Friend, Foe or Lifeline. 

Black

For anyone who might be interested Beth also has a lovely podcast entitled 'The Calm Christmas Podcast' it is full of lovely poems, stories, reflections and recipes and it's just the thing on the run up to Christmas.

Not What We Had In Mind

 ‘If you want to hear God laugh tell Him your plans!”

We thought that local college courses were on the cards for Pip because surely after the exam debacle last year, something should go right for this gal? Er, no!  I will save you a convoluted discourse of further mess ups and let you know that as from the start of September we have navigated a three day, 70 minute commute across the border into North Yorkshire, affectionately known as ‘God’s own country.’  I won’t lie the 5am roll call can be jarring but little by little we are all finding our groove.  

Craven College is on the outskirts of Skipton and is a small, vibrant and welcoming campus with views of the hills in the distance.  Pip is studying a Level 3 ( equivalent to 3 A’levels) in Creative Arts which includes photography, ceramics and graphic design alongside fine art and textiles in the first year, with majoring in her chosen  specialism in the second year. 

Whilst Pip is at college Dave and I have found various places to hang out and the Bolton Abbey Estate with its various walks, cafes and the opportunity of free WiFi from the car if you park in the correct spot is proving useful.  I’m trying not to think about the dark winter months that are looming on the horizon because I know there will be tricky days ahead.  Instead we take each week as it comes and give ourselves a pat on the back once Wednesday is done, and thank God it is a lunch time finish on that day. 

Here are some photos of our recent North Yorkshire visits:

Here’s hoping I can organise myself to share little snippets as I have missed documenting our days in this space x 

A Somerset Holiday

 Last week we managed to visit Dave’s brother and partner in Somerset, the last time we visited them was 19 years ago!  We also managed to meet up with relatives from Devon and Cornwall which was really lovely.  The purpose of the trip was for Pip to ride pillion on Uncle Andrew’s motorbike and despite being incredibly nervous on the day, she aced the whole trip 🙂. I was so pleased that I’d managed to find an accessible holiday cottage that could also accommodate Dave’s mum and so it was a real family holiday 💕

We are currently in Northumbria and so part two of holiday photos will be posted at some point 😂

87

 Mum would have been 87 today.  We offered mass for her and in addition to ourselves, Mum H and my Mum’s four siblings were in attendance.  After mass Dave, Pip and Mum H went to Tesco and had a mocha in Mum’s memory.

Whilst they were in Tesco,   I spent a lovely few hours with some very precious cousins who have a strong walk with the Lord and were a pivotal part in my faith journey as a young teen.  To celebrate we had a lovely gluten free cake with our coffee which was totally unexpected and really made my day. 

A few weeks ago we attended a brilliant yarn exhibition which I’m hoping to write about very soon x 

Mum’s Eulogy

 It’s Mum’s Funeral tomorrow and I thought I would share here some younger pictures of her and the words I wrote which will be read by my dear cousin Sue:

Love  multiplies it does not divide and that love was tangible in mum’s last days.  Not only the love you gave her in visiting or telephoning for updates but the love she had for all of you.  Mum loved until the very end when the Lord called her home.  

If I had to sum up Mum in one word it would be faithful:

She was a faithful and loving daughter to my Nan and Grandad.  Even from a young age she was helping out around the home.  

Mum left school at the age of fifteen and her first job was at Home and Colonial a small supermarket.  She enjoyed working behind the counter and interacting with customers but an injury sustained at work meant she could no longer continue.  

Mum then found employment in the accounts department at Vickers and she remained there until my birth in 1967.  As a result of that job and her love of numbers she learned book keeping,  and she faithfully kept a weekly accounts book up until her admission to hospital on the 13th February.  

In early married life Mum stretched the budget as far as possible and this often meant her going without so that others were provided for, but that was just typical of her nature.  

She was faithful in her vocation as wife and mother, providing a loving, supportive and well ordered home.  As a Mum in Law  she welcomed Dave and Heather into the family home and most importantly into her heart. 

She was faithful in her role as a ‘Second Mum’ to Paddy, Maureen, Theresa and David.   It’s been lovely to hear of their remembrances of Mum when they were growing up, including the long anticipated visit of Dad calling for Mum on their first date.  Everyone lined up eagerly to catch a glimpse of this chap,  only to be met with pitch blackness,  as the whole estate was plunged into darkness as a result of a power cut! 

She was a loving Nan and Gran Nan and enjoyed visits, telephone calls and the various WhatsApp messages, daft videos and memes.  Even when technology frustrated her especially the iPad,  she never gave up on taking an interest on what was going on in their world, and the blessings it brought far outweighed the hiccups. 

She was faithful to all of her friends and wider family and would offer practical help and a listening ear where possible.  I’m sure you will all have your own memories of her and I hope they are a real comfort to you at this time. 

Mum  faithfully used her gift of singing first in the Walney Amateur Dramatic Society and then with Sacred Heart Choir.  I know mum was most proud of her role as Tuptim  in The King and I.  In addition she received a standing ovation for her rendition of ‘You will never walk alone’ in the production of Carousel.  Colin also shared with me that in the early days of the choir, Patrick Black the then choir master expected folk to audition, so mum must have met his exacting standards. 

Mum was faithful in her prayers which gradually increased over time and pretty much resembled a convent time table.  I was tasked with finding all of the holy prayer cards and leaflets and they were dotted throughout the house - in books, cupboards and handbags.  Reading her prayer list was enlightening, humbling and a real testament to a faith lived out in ordinary daily life.  What I do know is that mum will continue that mission in heaven, so if you’ve ever shared a trouble or asked for her prayers, be assured you are not forgotten. 

Mum you were faithful in getting up each day and dealing with all the trials and challenges that life threw at you.  You’ve more than earned your rest. May you rest in peace and rise in glory.

Mum as Tuptim in The King and I. 

A photo pertaining to The Flower Drum Song. 

Mum second row from the front on the left. 

Wedding Day. 

Rest In Peace Mum

 My lovely mum died yesterday afternoon at 2pm.  For these past six days in particular mum and I walked The Way of The Cross.  Before she slipped into a semi consciousness we prayed rosaries, divine mercy chaplets and the angelus together. However right up to the very end she was still attempting to join in with the prayers. 

 In amongst the sadness there were moments of hilarity as mum recounted funny stories or responded with very droll one liners! We shared picnics in her room and chatted about everyday happenings too. 

  It was a privilege to care for her in practical ways such as helping her drink and spiritually by advocating for a visit from the priest.  The chaplaincy team at the hospital were such a comfort to me and there were two separate occasions whereby God had answered a prayer I hadn’t even said.  In her last moments she had me and Aunty Teresa ( her youngest sister) at her bedside praying her over into eternity, with my brother praying quietly at the foot of the bed.  

Miss you loads Mum but Praise God no more suffering 💕

Of Your Charity

 Please pray for my lovely mum who is currently on a coronary care ward and is close to dying.  

Our daughter Sr Emma made it home from Spain yesterday and late last night were called to the hospital back home which was a fifty mile drive.  We spent the night with mum and have just returned back home.  I could well be called back to be with her if it’s God’s Will.  I will miss her dearly but she has suffered continued deteriorating health these past eighteen months and her body cannot take anymore. 

From left to right: Mary Grace, Mum H and my Mum x 

Blackwell Arts and Crafts House

 Last Thursday we visited the Blackwell Arts and Crafts House in the Lake District and declared it the best Home Ed Day Out.  Our visit was very fortuitous as the work of Francis Priest was on display throughout the property.  There is also an opportunity to meet Francis in person at Blackwell  in March so a return visit is definitely on the cards.

Such a beautiful, light and airy room and you would never tire of that view.

Even though this was a fairly dark room it was not oppressive to be in unlike other Stately Homes that we've visited.  The house certainly had a very welcoming feel as we moved from room to room.

I particularly loved this yellow room which also included a lovely adjoining dressing area housing the boots and the mirrored dresser.  When I saw the embroidered coverlet I thought about my friend Eva's daughter Veronika, who is currently studying fashion design at JP Catholic University in California.

The museum showcased information about the Arts and Crafts Movement alongside a beautiful display of Francis Priest's ceramic designs.

We finished the day with a well deserved treat from the cafe and a little wander around the shop, where Pip was able to purchase a pottery book which will help enormously with her work.

Pip’s Art Work

 As a result of the horrible results debacle there was another silver cloud.  Kings Interhigh Online (Pip’s online school) offered her a year’s free education 🙂. Pip didn’t want to study A Level’s online but instead chose to work towards an art GCSE in one year.  She uses her photography as her main focus with mixed media and drawing skills thrown into the mix.  Here is her observational drawing of a cat via a photograph she found on the internet: 

Salts Mill

 On Wednesday we managed a trip to Salts Mill which is just over an hour away from home.  The website can be found here   

The last time Dave and I were there was the summer of 2022 and this was Pip’s first visit.  It was a bitterly cold day but a lovely one nonetheless: