Jane's Journeyers

Jane's Journeyers

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Family time

Upon arrival we spent our first few days in the Birmingham area. We visited Stratford-on-Avon where we had a short visit with William Shakespeare. He has rested in the chancel area of Holy Trinity since 1616. The church itself dates from 1210 and it is situated very pleasingly (as you might imagine) along the banks of the Avon.






We were a bit surprised to find him here, thinking he would have been interred at Westminster Abbey along with so many other English greats. There will be a bit more about interment a bit later as this is one of the main reasons for our visit to Cornwall.

On day 2 we hiked in the Malverns for several hours. High on a ridge that carried on for miles we enjoyed not only the vistas, but also the fresh air and the fact that we were actually burning off a few calories scaling up and down as we followed along the ridge. This photo doesn't do it justice, but it gives you an idea.



Being Sunday, the path was quite busy and it was good to see so many children out, as well as a few dogs, all joyous in the wide open spaces and with very few exceptions, the dogs seemed mindful of this admonishment.


At home, we pick up after our dogs, but here they train them to control their bowels. Even the dogs are part of the civil society.

Then the long drive from Birmingham to Falmouth. Dual Carriageway for much of it and a sunny day, that is until we crossed the Tamar River into Cornwall and true to form, the fog enveloped us as we crossed the Bodmin Moor. It was thirsty work but quickly rectified by a pint of best bitters at a suitably Cornish pub.



Now, back to the interment business. As some of you know we plan to return to Cornwall next summer along with Blake, Kim, Lauren and Ellie. We will be bringing Julie's parent's ashes back home for burial and Julie had two appointments scheduled, one with a stonemason and the other with the Illogan church vicar. The stonemason's shop was a small munitions factory during the war and as you might imagine was sturdily built, with meter thick 'blast walls' for protection. The young(ish) stonemason learned the trade from his grandfather, the original owner, and he proudly spoke of him and his shop.

Una and David will join Una's grandparents in the corner of a wonderful centuries old churchyard.



While sections might be considered somewhat 'unkempt', the churchyard possesses an air of tranquility and peacefulness. The air was a bit damp and the smell of the earth was almost sweet with this years autumn leaves beginning their mouldering transformational journey into the soil. While Dave and Una will travel here separately, their ashes will be together in one casket, home again in the soil from which they sprang.

Location:Falmouth