An evening in June

On a warm June evening I love to visit the Kentmere valley and slowly amble my way up the narrow winding lane to the village.

Farmsteads and cottages nestle amongst the trees in the shadow of rugged Lakeland hills.

Warm evening sunshine bathes fields of golden buttercups and the only sound comes from distant birds soaring high above.

It takes about an hour to reach the head of the valley on foot but once I reach the post box I know village life is close by.

The air is cooler now, evening shadows are lengthening and I hear children playing in a nearby garden.
 

The sweet sound of a choir drifts from St Cuthbert's Church.

The churchyard is managed as a wildflower meadow which must surely be at its best in the month of June. I stop to admire its beauty and wonder how many brides have walked up this pretty pathway to make their vows.

'God's Acre' is the perfect name for this peaceful flower-filled place where villagers are laid to rest.

'I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills
from whence cometh my help' (Psalm 121)

Man and nature live happily side by side in Kentmere.

All too soon the air turns chill and I know it's time to head for home before darkness falls.

So back down the winding lane I go, past the clusters of sleepy cottages and fields of dozing sheep.

And in my head I keep a little picture of St Cuthbert's Church amid its sea of wild flowers nodding in the late evening sun.

Until next time,
Eli

P.S.  St Cuthbert's is a charming unpretentious little church. You can take a little look inside by clicking on this link. The pretty oil lamps that once lit the church still hang from the ancient ceiling but are now electrified and the colourful kneelers are stitched by local parishioners. Before you leave do please stop in the doorway to admire the view back down the lovely Kentmere valley.

Comments

[Debbie]

Absolutely beautiful Eli. I can't wait until I visit the Lake District again. I live in a lovely place but the Lake District is special to me. Thank you for taking me on this wonderful country walk.

[Rhondi]

Hi Eli
I so enjoyed my walk with you. You live in such a beautiful place. Oh I want to go back to visit England so badly!
Hugs, Rhondi

[Paula]

Dear Eli,

Thank you for sharing your lovely walk! I felt such peace flood over me, seeing the beautiful scenery and reading your beautifully written words. I felt I was there with you, taking in all of that calming beauty! How wonderful it must be to live in such a place! The farmsteads, cottages, and fields are so gorgeous! I loved seeing the red post box, it is quite beautiful, too! The church is so peaceful looking, and the meadow is beautiful. I love the verse you shared! Oh, and I love the foxglove and ferns growing happily from the stones! I could sit atop the hill for hours looking on the view going down the winding lane. Thank you for sharing the beautiful area you live in, and for the link to the church. I shall go visit directly.

Much love,
Paula

[clarice]

You live in dreamland, you must be pinching yourself all the time. Clarice

[sabine]

How very, very beautiful! I travelled trough the Lake District a long time ago, on my way to Scotland. And I promised myself back then to return to that wonderful part of Britain.
Your pictures bring all those memories back...

[Miss julep]

Thanks for the lovely pictures!!I want to be transported into them!

[Karen]

oh, i am so very glad the world still has these spaces!! this post warms the heart. thank you!!