The pub:hub of socializing
cherished by the English
for its rituals
beer and idle chat
good grub
a smoke (no more)
but still, the shadowy scent
soaked into wooden beams
and trod-upon tiles
and trod-upon tiles
Sunday lunchin Oxfordshire
nothing to see but sheep
on the hillside
blessed sunshine
hot enough
to justify umbrellas
(but not the rainy day kind)
strong enough
to create shadows
on nearly the longest day
of the year
the sun and clouds
play
throwing down shadows
over this country quilt
the landscape looks so empty
but besides the sheep
there are two of us
with love to my Father
on Father's Day
xx
I'm a rogue (or is it off-road?) blogger on Shadow Shot Sunday
sponsored by Hey Harriet
21 comments:
What a lovely gift for your father on this special day – your beautiful words and your beautiful photos. (Dads always like home-made gifts best, right?)
I love the English countryside - something about that landscape is just so right - for me, anyway. I'm not talking the more rugged northern terrain, but exactly what you've featured here.
The sheep always look as if a stylist has arranged them artfully on the hillsides. That can't be true, can it?
Mmmm how super!!! English countryside, ahhhh this is why we made the break from London to Suffolk this year. I can't breathe the air deeply enough.
I'm rediscovering pub life, having left it behind when I left my home county of Somerset some (cough) 20 years ago. I love a good pub, mostly by the river down this way, and child friendly.
I'm falling back in love with country pub life all over again!
Happy Father's Day to your husband. Mine got a salada spinner as a gift...giggle.
Spud
Bread and cheese and pickle and a pint of stout, yum.
That landscape photo takes my breath away. Sigh.
Oh I want to sit around with sheep!
Oh this brings back memories! Pubs are one thing I do miss! Greta shadows too!
Nothing quite like a pub lunch! These shots are wonderful, and what gorgeous scenery! Thanks for playing along with Shadow Shot Sunday :)
What a beautiful piece of earth. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Bee
such a lovely vista for outdoor eating,
and lovely loving thoughts too...
Happy days
Hi Bee!
It was nice to see your comment!!!
Hope you have sweet times like strawberry jam and have fun.
Best Regards
Parisa
Awesome images. I hope the weather is as good when I land in Hamburg on Wednesday. They've had a lot of rain. A LOT. On the other hand, it'll be a nice change from the brutal heat of Oklahoma. Heading for 100 tomorrow. Ugh.
Beth - I hope so (to the last sentence).
Reya - I know just what you mean. I feel that way, too. There are some absolutely magical walks around here. . . complete with "artfully styled" sheep and other creatures.
spudballoo - Salad spinner? My husband got some pruning shears. Pubs by rivers are even nicer than pubs on hills!
ArtSparker - I ate barbequed pork and salad and it was pretty yummy, too.
Willow - It's just so pastoral, isn't it?
Maggie May - Just what you need, my friend.
That is the chicken - Warm June days at the pub make a person forget all of the bad bits . . .
Hey Harriet - Now I can't think of shadows without thinking of you!
Lover of Life - You are very welcome.
Delwyn - It really was a "vista" and in the middle of nowhere.
Parisa - Oh, thank you. We just harvested our first strawberries a few days ago.
Stacy - My mom was complaining about the heat in TX yesterday. Hope you have fun (and heat relief) in Hamburg. If you see this: I can't read your blog. It keeps shutting down when I try.
Beautiful poem and beautiful photos. And all so true.
I love English countryside. I make my escapes from London as often as I can, there is something so comforting in those rolling fields and deep greenery... love it.
Came back to respond -
No I haven't seen the movie, but will look for it. And - My favorite mug is so boring I didn't even post it! It is a beige stoneware mug with scratches, but it is heavy and holds the heat forever. Everything else pales in comparison. I put the milk in first and then heat that for ten seconds or so in the micro and then pour in the hot coffee. It's heaven! Thanks Ms. Bee,
Catherine
Will come back and read this more carefully - commenting on the fly. Love the sheep, and am envious that you have your Dad. I miss mine. Father's Day makes me melancholy. But it's hard to be glum when I look at your photos.
xx
Polly - All those who live in cities can't imagine the wide-open, amazingly empty spaces. So serene, and green -- even in the damp gray winter.
A Thousand Clapping Hands - Beauty and Utility are not always found in the same object! I hope you do see Lars and the Real Girl. It is wonderful.
FF - I'm sorry that you miss your dad. xx
The perfect summer day.
With sheep.
Gosh those cloud dappled fields
how well you have captured them.
I remember longing for the sun to shine and shine in order to get a tan...ha!
Great photos! I especially love the one from the door looking out at the sheep farm.
Your poem fits the images and the memories just right. It was so nice to have shared that special day with you. I blogged about it today too.
I'll be back to catch up on your blog after I finish my work, sigh. Thanks for bringing the warm glow of sunshine and conversation back into my grey dreary day.
I am visiting via Sarah Laurence's blog. Such peace and serenity in words and pictures.
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