Leaving

           Bampton Village as seen in Downton Abbey with Mrs Crawley and the Dowager
                                                              Lady Grantham

 

Dear Reader,

 

A little sunshine was forecast on Wednesday and we decided to go to Bampton, a large village not very far from here where the filming of Downton Abbey took place. And it was a glorious outing.

I am a great big fan of Downton Abbey and watch the series over and over again.  In fact I know what the characters are going to say before they do, and laugh at the jokes the irrepressible Dowager, Lady Grantham elucidates whenever she is in the scene.  If you shut your eyes just a little Bampton Village still seems to be England of yesteryear..  Lots of beautiful honey coloured cottages with flowers in the gardens and a large and dignified church in the middle of town.  Lots of friendly people we met, mostly from America,  all of whom loved the story and knew the series well.                       

I have never advertised anything on my blog in the seven years I have written it but if you like the idea of seeing where Downton Abbey was filmed I thoroughly recommend a visit to Bampton Village.

                                                                            *

 

From Gerard Manley Hopkins   August 7th 1872  Isle of Man

'We went mackerel fishing.   Letting down a line baited with a piece of mackerel skin - tin or any glimmering thing will do - we drew up nine.  A few feet down they look like blue silver as they rise.'

From James Smetham  August 9th 1868  Sussex

'A yellow sun fast setting and all entwined with other influence, with the pale gibbous moon, with the scent of honeysuckle.'

                                                                         
From John Ruskin  August 13th 1872  Berkshire

'Entirely calm and clear this morning.  The mist from the river at rest among the trees, with rosy light on the folds of blue; and I, for the first time these ten years, happy.'

              

                                                                            *

Leaving

The day she left
her heart hammered
tears streamed down her cheeks

the rain beat against the car windows
and east wind blew
the road was black ribbons.

She took a small suitcase.
It held a red skirt, two shirts, underclothes,
two cardigans, a duffle coat
and three favourite books.

After twenty years of marriage
that was her spoils.

Oh, and the kettle.

                                                                     *

With very best wishes, Patricia