Illustration from Awakening, John Galsworthy by RH Sauter. 1920.

St Cuthbert’s tucked away in the long grass like a grazing pony. The battered, foreshortened west end.

Old St Cuthbert’s, 1533, Oborne, Dorset. Just a chancel now. So very beautiful.

Mood

The exquise St Cuthbert’s of Oborne, just outside of Sherborne. Built just before the Reformation. Heart-achingly beautiful. A chancel that has lost its nave. A head without a body.

The ghosts of past stuff-what-went-on….. 🤓

George Eliot in tonight’s episode: ‘to discern and love sincerity of purpose’ Free to listen and no pesky ads or pleas for money. Tonight’s episode also features the A-Saxon poem The Seafarer. Welcome 🤗 www.buzzsprout.com/2412300/epis...

The eastern skies at sunset yesterday, Dorset.

The sedilia at St Mary’s, Piddlehinton. Prettily carved 15th-century stone triple-seat in the chancel, used by clergy during Mass. Trefoiled arches and a moulded cornice, typiche of late medieval Perpendicular style. A very cosy squeeze 😬

The Pig’s Ear, Chelsea. Popping up from January memories.

Piddlehinton Church. Two Nelson sons rather forced into it? A delightful sign.

1873 plan of Sherborne School, showing its architectural relationships with the old monastery and current Abbey structure. By former Housemaster and local historian WBWildman. (Needed for today’s second podcast episode.)

A low, pale sun warmed us still, and gave the leaves on the ground an extra copper glow. RSPB Arne, Dorset, yesterday.

The beautiful woods in RSPB Arne. All trees included because of the diversity of habitat, from oak to ‘Christmas tree’ 🌲…

Prickly holly and sandy beach together. 😊🤷‍♀️ RSPB Arne yesterday.

Mr Rabbit Stone. Found today on a walk by the south coast. 🐇

I’d be very honoured if you would join me for tonight’s gentle podcast episode. Night night for today 🤗 www.buzzsprout.com/2412300/epis...

Looking up at the two-stage tower of the church ofSt Mary’s. 15th c upper level and lower stage earlier.

Everyone loves walls, I think? This wall formed part of the north side of All Hallows, destroyed after the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Roman tiles forming part of the old parish church of All Hallows, destroyed after the dissolution of the monasteries turned Sherborne Abbey into Sherborne’s parish church. In the background is a porch hiding the Saxon entrance to the Abbey and a lurking Hound of the Baskervilles.

One of my favourite old trees, reaching playfully across the River Yeo, with Doggo on the other bank. Bankety Bank. 😁

Sherborne School with the Abbey tower beyond. Underneath the gravel are archaeological treasures.

The super-moon lighting up the graveyard of the Church of St Mary, Abbas & Templecombe this evening.

A well-cared-for grave at Templecombe Church. Lit up under the deep dark-blue skies. Bless the family. 🕯️

The north side of Sherborne Abbey, seen from Sherborne School.

Wherefore no man grows wise without he have his share of winters… Wierd’s will changeth the world. Wealth is lent us, friends are lent us, man is lent, kin is lent.. Join me for tonight’s short episode where we read the beautiful old English poem The Wanderer www.buzzsprout.com/2412300/epis...

Really recommend this 🤓 #TheBoneChests

Just what he needed

🥳 www.buzzsprout.com/2412300/epis...

Bristol from the air just now 😄

A view through a window this evening at the beautiful Scottish scenery. Thinking of good, kind people who make everything worthwhile for the rest of us. A few humbling moments have reminded me to keep my centre of gravity low and my pace free from all swagger. May you evening be horror-free 😊

Train buddy ☺️

Reculver’s pretty benchmark.

The great semicircular Norman Crossing Arch, St John’s Church, Milborne Port. 11th c. Gothic north window bringing in a bluish haze of light. It’s a wonderful place to be, with everything feeling oversized yet understated.

Sherborne street sights. ☺️

Out and about in Sherborne

Good morning. In order to make reparations for reading from David Willem’s wonderful book St Cuthbert’s Corpse on my podcast, I’d like to recommend the book to you. It is utterly fascinating this is the link. sacristy.co.uk/book/cuthberts… @sacristypress.bsky.social

Come join for a gentle half hour 🤗 www.buzzsprout.com/2412300/epis...

Canterbury Cathedral as the sun was setting, a little while ago.

The point of ascension: from nave to quire, Canterbury Cathedral.

Cute to think that Kent’s westworks predate the marvellous Carolingian ones that would follow.

I visited Kelvedon just last month and…. Snap! We’re into a very different season.

Happiness is watching @gonefishing.studio

Little corner of a boot room, Henry ‘Chips’ Channon’s country house, Kelvedon Hall, Essex.

Calling all experts. This is how AI describes my photo of St John’s, Mil. Port. Is it on the money? I think so but would be interested in others’ views. ‘This view of the chancel and sanctuary at St John’s, Milborne Port highlights some of the best early Norman architecture in Somerset. contd..

My daughter as a wee lassie, with the sun giving her a little aura. These old photographs press on my chest.

Good morning. In order to make reparations for reading from David Willem’s wonderful book St Cuthbert’s Corpse on my podcast, I’d like to recommend the book to you. It is utterly fascinating this is the link. www.sacristy.co.uk/book/cuthber... @sacristypress.bsky.social

Look madam this is Somerset, I have right of way… 🤷‍♀️

Delightful lettering for an Elizabethan who died 416 years ago. St J the E, M Port, today.

For all Denholm Elliott fans; he once frequented the Digby Tap, Sherborne, whilst filming John Le Carre’s ‘A Murder of Quality’. JLC was a Sherborne Boy. Lovely old photographs. 🤓