Amethyst and honey

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Sue Vincent

heather 2015 derbyshire, higger tor, beeley circle, edensor, bak 004

I can barely believe that it is almost a week since I left home for the north. Time seems to be flying by at present and leaving me behind. I had been chomping at the proverbial bit to get away, hoping that the heather, already coming into flower five weeks ago when I was last on the moors, would wait for me.

heather 2015 derbyshire, higger tor, beeley circle, edensor, bak 003

I couldn’t face the motorway … I needed to unwind rather than deal with that kind of madness. Even so, I was glad traffic was light as I turned onto the old Roman road that cuts straight up the country towards Derbyshire. This road takes me through several counties and the countryside had that ephemeral, unmistakeable feel of approaching autumn. Bales of hay dot the fields, trees rise in verdant clouds above the seared grasses of late summer and the hedgerows are full of fruit and berries. Jewel colours of citrine and emerald. Beautiful… but I had driven over a hundred and fifty miles before I glimpsed a faint, smokey smudge upon the horizon. Perhaps there would still be some heather…

heather 2015 derbyshire, higger tor, beeley circle, edensor, bak 002

I turned along the river valley towards Hathersage, thinking that here, at least, I would be able to see… No. Not a thing. The trees curve over the road, a green wormhole from which I could see nothing but the occasional glimpse of the crags above. Through the little town, up the narrow lane below the church that holds the grave of Little John…. And as I round the corner, a small patch of purple in full bloom. The next corner, a swathe…. Then I can see little as I climb the winding road beneath the cliffs of Stanage Edge… but by this time I am smiling. I pull over and a passing cyclist raises his eyebrows and grins. I am that transparent?

heather 2015 derbyshire, higger tor, beeley circle, edensor, bak 030

It’s not that there was much heather to see… but I could enough to know there would be. I couldn’t quite tell whether it had not yet reached it best or had just passed it. Some clumps were that faded bronze of either side of that magical moment, others were prefect. Another hundred yards and I would find out… another hundred yards and I knelt in the heather and buried a tear-damp face in beauty.

heather 2015 derbyshire, higger tor, beeley circle, edensor, bak 009

What is it about the heather? Apart from the sheer beauty of a land painted purple for miles and miles… of whole hillsides and mountains cloaked in colour… or the fragrance of honey mingling with the sharp, antiseptic tang of bracken? If the late-summer south is an emerald set in the spun gold of harvest, the moors in bloom amethyst tossed on a wedding veil. To many this landscape is always bleak… no matter what the season, its beauty is stark and spare… rocks and perpetual shades of autumn and grey. It is an old landscape, one I love with all my heart, but for those few brief weeks when the heather blooms….. I just know that the sight seems to call up the central sun from every atom of my being and together they blaze with a joy unlike any other.

heather 2015 derbyshire, higger tor, beeley circle, edensor, bak 012

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About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
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48 Responses to Amethyst and honey

  1. philosophermouseofthehedge's avatar philosophermouseofthehedge says:
    August 26, 2015 at 19:26

    Traveling an ancient road through such land. Purple is suitable cloaking. Beautiful

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  2. inese's avatar inesephoto says:
    August 26, 2015 at 19:58

    What a beautiful land!

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar teagan geneviene says:
    August 26, 2015 at 20:14

    What breathtaking scenery. Thanks so much for sharing it. Hugs!

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  4. Colleen Chesebro's avatar Silver Threading says:
    August 26, 2015 at 20:14

    Absolutely breathtaking, Sue! How beautiful to see the heather and the actual color. I love it. Thanks so much for sharing! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Mary Smith's avatar Mary Smith says:
    August 26, 2015 at 20:39

    Beautiful, Sue, and I agree travelling the old roads is so much more enjoyable than the motorway. Looking forward to seeing what other pics you have taken on this journey.

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  7. Judith Barrow's avatar judithbarrow1 says:
    August 26, 2015 at 23:40

    Warm moist heather – memories! This is a lovely post, Sue.Jx

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. noelleg44's avatar noelleg44 says:
    August 26, 2015 at 23:42

    The Roman purple! Glad you made it in time to see its glory!

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  10. jjspina's avatar jjspina says:
    August 27, 2015 at 00:31

    Thank you, Sue, for sharing these beautiful photos. Such a lovely place. Wish I was there to walk the lovely roads. Blessings!

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. Darren Scanlon's avatar Darren Scanlon says:
    August 27, 2015 at 00:35

    Wow…that last pic!

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  12. purpleslobinrecovery's avatar purpleslobinrecovery says:
    August 27, 2015 at 02:38

    I want that to be my front yard!!! I have some Mexican heather, but I know it’s not the same.

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  14. thehappyhaikuer's avatar thehappyhaikuer says:
    August 27, 2015 at 22:27

    Hathersage is one of my favourite parts of the world but since moving away I don’t get to visit often. You’ve captured it beautifully!

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  15. Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:
    August 29, 2015 at 02:36

    Pure bliss! I can absolutely understand your tie to this land. Visceral and deeply felt, I know that call in my own home landscape. Your post really expresses it so well!

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  16. macjam47's avatar macjam47 says:
    August 29, 2015 at 13:12

    Thank you for sharing, Sue. What beautiful countryside, and the heather is absolutely gorgeous. Hugs, my friend.

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