Great Expectations..?

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Sue Vincent

It had been a month since I had last been in the north and, as I took to the road once again, there was the familiar frisson of excitement that always runs through me as the journey begins. This time, however, there was something more… a longing that hovered between fear and anticipation. Last time, the heather had just begun opening its petals… and we had enjoyed a month of unusually hot sun. Would it still be in bloom?

The moorlands that I love are where the heather flowers. Most of the year, the moors are brown and gold. When the bracken unfurls its fronds, they glow with a vivid green… and when the heather blossoms, it paints whole hillsides with its distinctive hue; the air is fragranced with honey and the land wears its soul, at once regal, soft and earthy.

The road led me through six counties and a change of season. In the south, the trees still wear the deep greens of midsummer. Further north, and the touch of ochre dapples the leaves… barely visible yet but assuring me that autumn is not far away. Wildflowers still bloom, vivid against the dry stalks of gilded grasses and clouds of downy seeds follow the breeze in search of a home.

I love the autumn, and I feel in tune with the change in the air, as my own seasons turn with those of the year. But, for once, I hoped autumn would stay its hand, just a little while longer… just for the heather. As I round a bend near Bakewell, there is a far-distant hill that gives me my first glimpse of the moors. When, at this time of year, there is a sunlit streak of purple, my heart lifts and sings. This time, there was only an unrelenting smudge of brown and for a moment I felt near to tears.

Perhaps I was wrong… maybe it was just the dark grey clouds that robbed the hills of colour. But no, my next glimpse confirmed my fears… the best of the heather was over and I would not see it in full bloom this year. For a moment, the disappointment was all I could feel… and a wry acknowledgement that I was being ungrateful. I almost carried on driving.

Continue reading at The Silent Eye

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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25 Responses to Great Expectations..?

  1. Michael says:
    August 21, 2018 at 06:58

    Beautifully written and these pieces always remind me of what a beautiful country we are lucky enough to live in

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. jenanita01 says:
    August 21, 2018 at 09:19

    So sad, that the extreme heat has robbed us of so many flowers…

    Like

    Reply
  4. silverapplequeen says:
    August 21, 2018 at 11:17

    Reblogged this on silverapplequeen and commented:
    This is truly a beautiful land.

    Like

    Reply
  6. Patty says:
    August 21, 2018 at 14:41

    Reblogged this on Campbells World.

    Like

    Reply
  7. Peter Wells aka Countingducks says:
    August 21, 2018 at 16:17

    Wonderful. Commented over at The Silent Eye

    Like

    Reply
  8. Widdershins says:
    August 22, 2018 at 00:08

    That made me smile. 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  10. Half Glass Full says:
    September 10, 2018 at 13:20

    Beautiful write-up!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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