“Can we go out for the day together?” asked my younger son. Days are precious because of their uncertainty around here at the moment, but the chance to spend time with my son and granddaughters made the answer one that I did not need to think about. With everywhere closed and covid restrictions in place, it would have to be in the open air and the first place that sprang to mind was Wayland’s Smithy.
We were lucky with the weather… a glorious, if chilly, spring day dawned. A picnic packed to eat in the car and a wheelchair borrowed ‘just in case’. With the girls sharing the back seat with Stuart, we headed off to one of the most iconic ancient sites in the land… and the place where the adventures Stuart and I have shared over the years had begun so long ago. It was to be a special day for so many reasons.
I already knew that I would not be able to climb Dragon Hill and planned to wait, looking out over the Manger, while the others climbed to the top. I had told the girls the legend about how St George had slain the dragon atop this hill, and how the bare patch of chalk that remains on its summit is where the dragon’s blood was spilt and the grass no longer grows. Caught between shivers of delight and disbelief, Hollie, at six years old, appeared to approve of the story.
I watched the great kites and the buzzards circling far beneath me, and arms outspread, the two little girls ‘flew’ around the hilltop. I could remember clearly our dear friend and companion in the Silent Eye, running down the top of the hill, arms outspread, taking off like a dragon… and she has not ‘come down’ since 🙂
Disaster struck when I fell down for the second time… my leg simply ‘disappearing’ as far as my nerves were concerned. This time I took Stuart out with me and the wheelchair was reluctantly brought out from the car. We drove to the main car park and Stuart and I waited on the grass while Alex and his girls went to see the chalk-cut figure, thousands of years old, that is said to represent a White Horse, or Epona, the horse-mother goddess. Or, given that it has a ‘beak’ or flames coming from its mouth, perhaps a dragon…
Once again, tucked up with a tartan blanket and a granddaughter under each arm, I shared the legends, telling them about the great prehistoric enclosure of Uffington Castle and where to find the Fairy Thorn beside which a skylark had risen one fateful and misty morning that had changed our lives. I was hoping that they would feel the same magic in the land as we had done, and being open to it, would let it in.
A long time later, my son and his girls came back and we headed off to Wayland’s Smithy, just a mile down the five thousand-year-old track known as the Ridgeway. The wheelchair was a necessity now and not one I was happy about… but needs must. I told them the legends… Stuart added to them by including silver-shod unicorns… capturing a little magic for the girls. We told Alex about the feather that fell from the sky when we had been here that first time… a small, white feather, exactly like the one the girls had found and given to me earlier that morning.
The girls made friends with the welcoming darkness of the tomb, sitting within its embrace. Perhaps my own imminent passing may be softened a little for them as they remember the feeling of a peaceful place where loved ones were laid with such care and respect… a place where laughter is as welcome as reverence and where the sun ripples on the spring flowers playing in the breeze.
Wayland’s is a place to which we have taken many people we love, seeking to share the love of the ancient land and its lore that began to blossom for us there. As another generation learned to see with ‘fairy eyes’… to see the many faces hidden in the spirit stones and feel the living presence of earth, stone and sky, I was so glad we had been able to share the day. All you need to do is go out and connect with your roots, no matter where you are in the world… the earth has no boundaries, but continues as a whole, even beneath the sea and beyond time.
And were I in any doubt at all about whether the girls were old enough to understand, two small stones had been picked up along the path and hidden in pockets until they were home… small stones that are standing stones in miniature, covered, from whichever angle you look, in faces…
Love that last “shadows” photo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘We were here’
…nce upon a time 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Yes, it makes a wonderful memory to hold onto.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read this breathlessly like a child at the fireside. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, you write so beautifully.🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank upi, I’m hlad you enjoyed it .
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure! Have a beautiful day! ☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good Sue. Both the narration and pics are superb
LikeLike
Thank you, Saji.
LikeLike
Pingback: Back to the start… again — Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo |
What a lovely outing. I’m glad you shared fairy🧚🏻🧚♂️🧚♀️ magic with the little ones. 💚❤️
LikeLike
So am I… it was a beautiful day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
💗🌹🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your experience and photos with us, Sue. A beautiful write, enjoyed reading. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Kitty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, Sue. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so beautiful, I had to share it. I hope you don’t mind. xx
LikeLike
Of course I don’t mind, Jen. Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went to write a review on LAUGHTER LINES but I haven’t bought enough books LOL 😊
You’re welcome 🙂
LikeLike
If you happen to write one on your blog and let me know, I can share it for Ani 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah okay! 😊👍
LikeLike
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Soon. I’ll steal (take/borrow) the picture of the cover from my kindle copy. 😊
LikeLike
Thank you, Jen.That will make the Small Dog’s day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊Anything for Ani!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful to be able to share that magic, Sue. Falling down or upright, a special day 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
I’d have rather stayed upright, I have to say… but yes, it was a special day x
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
How beautiful, Sue! I thought of you on the weekend, with the weather being so nice, and it sounds as though you had a wonderful day. I’ve not yet visited Waylands, but when I do I’ll look for you there 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you may well find me there, Helen. Youwill need the whole day… walk from The White Horse and the Castle along the Ridgeway. It won’t take all that long, but time doesn’t ccount itself the same there 😉 xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
That always happens in the best places, doesn’t it? 😉 I will make the journey one day, definitely xx
LikeLike
It does…aas we have found so often… xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on pensitivity101 and commented:
Wonderful piece, precious memories, time having gone full circle.
LikeLike
Thank you, Di 🙂 x
LikeLike
You are so welcome Sue
Have a lovely day ❤
LikeLike
Thanks, Di 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
You book of poems has arrived today. I’m looking forward to curling up with it tonight ❤
LikeLike
A little different , but I hope u=you enjoy this one too ❤
LikeLike
I read the first entry ‘Purpose’ on line, and those last few lines had me hooked. You paint a beautiful picture with words Sue.
LikeLike
Thanks, Di.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful day to make memories to share in the future. The feather was a sign of home and belonging ❤
LikeLike
It was rather strange to startthe day with such a synchronicity 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish you had been my teacher! You make everything interesting, special, and magical.
xxx
LikeLike
Life is that way ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful to share the place and the story with your sweet granddaughters. They will not forget this day. xo
LikeLike
I hope not, Darlene x
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a truly beautiful day of memories Sue. 💜💜💜💜
LikeLike
It was, Willow ❤
LikeLike
💜💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
A magical day out for you all and some wonderful memories for your granddaughters to keep. And son and Stuart, too, of course.
LikeLike
It was a good day… in spite of a bruised rump 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heh, like they say, ‘good times’ll get you in the end.’ 😀
LikeLike
The earth got me this time 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
what a beautiful day for so many, many reasons.
LikeLike
It was, Beth… on all levels 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok done! I should get some sleep. Soon…
LikeLike
You probably should 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
When? OK now LOL
LikeLike
LOL 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poof!!!!!!!!!!😴😴🥱
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
https://jengoldie493473930.wordpress.com/2021/03/03/laughter-lines-life-from-the-tail-end-by-sue-vincent-book-review/
LikeLike
How wonderful to give your granddaughters more precious memories. Your writing is so beautiful. G-d bless.
LikeLike
Thank you… It wsan amazing day with them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Sue. So pleased you had a great day out with family, sharing tales and memories. Love the photos. Take great care of yourself.
LikeLike
Thanks, Goff. We had a lovely day…and even the weather cooperated 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So pleased for you. Weather has been great here too. Today not so great, a little damp and grey. Happy Wednesday.
LikeLike
Same here, Goff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Lizanne lost in a good book and commented:
A beautiful post from a very special person.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for letting us come along Sue. ❤️
LikeLike
lways happy to share the old places with friends, Colleen 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have shared your wonderful blog on my site, Sue. We will miss you so much, but your words and thoughts will still be with us.
LikeLike
Thank you, Lizanne. I appreciate that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a glorious day you had and what a memory you have given your grand daughters! And your son will forever have an image of you sharing your love of history and symbols and nature with his daughters. I am so very happy you got to share one of your favourite places with them and now again with us. ❤️
LikeLike
It was beyond nice to be able to have that day, with the sunshine, to share ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, it was a blessing. ❤️
LikeLike
Oh yes, that it was ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
And a wonderful example of living in the present. All that matters is today, right now.
LikeLike
That is really all thereis… and children and animals remind us of that 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
They surely do and thank goodness for that, or we’d miss out on an awful lot 😘
LikeLike
We would, Fransi… and what a shame that would be… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed it would.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a nice little outing, though sorry you had to be wheeled instead of walking through a lot of it. Cool that the girls got to hear a bit of the local lore, even if a unicorn or two were added. Great write-up and photos. And, of course, I just recently visited those sites through The Initiate 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
As you have read the Initiate, you will have a bit of a handle on where those sites would eventually take us… a strange and beautiful journey to have shared 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, following kites to colorful churches and all. At some point I will need to follow you (and the kites) a little farther on that journey with the other books in the series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, as I am working while I still can, any day now they are being re-released in black andwhite ( we were never happy with the colour print pricing!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful day of making memories for your son and granddaughters.
LikeLike
I know you understand the value of that, Sue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been waiting for this post and it did not disappoint. I’m so glad you were able to share the magic of this place with your granddaughters. I’m not surprised they understood. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved the stones they had smuggled home… it showed clearer than anything that they understood. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
So wonderful indeed! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes ❤ Very different from our visit, of course, but beautiful to share with the girls 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Sue. how is Ani doing?
LikeLike
Ani is doing okay at the moment, Jean, than you or asking. She knows something is wrong as is rather quieter than usual much of the time… but still a pup at others.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a lovely day and outing, Sue. And I’m so impressed that the girls brought home stones. I hope their father will keep on the tradition. Gorgeous pictures as usual!
LikeLike
I rather think he will, Noelle… and it was indeed a lovely day.
LikeLike
I am so glad you could go out with your sons and granddaughters. I am certain they will remember it all their lives, just as I am certain they will have picked up a lot of the wonder you have for the world from you.
LikeLike
That last I hope they can find… it makes the world a magical place 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely, Sue… Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Someday, in the future, a small child will be sitting next to their mother as she shows her ‘treasures’ from the box – – a stone….a white feather… and the day spent with her grandma and the silver shod unicorns that showed up and…….. the magic flows on…. ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
That is my hope 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Okay – I believe it to be true, thus you don’t have to just ‘hope’ – you can ‘know’ now, right? LOL
LikeLike
Right LOL 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Sue, there are so very, very few things, I KNOW – deep down, at cellular level, but reading your post/the feather/the stones? Um, yup, instantaneous shift in cells – I KNOW this one thing – – just saying……
LikeLike
🙂 xx
LikeLike
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sue, thank you for sharing the magic in your life. Going back to your roots brings me back to mine, growing up in a small town in Maine. I’ve also collected stones from many places. Reminders of treasured memories. Your grandchildren did the same and made me smile. Thinking of you. 📚🎶❤️ Christine
LikeLike
Thanks Christine. The simplest things make the best memories. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! ❤️🎶🌺
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it that your granddaughters hear those old stories from you, Sue. They will always remember the magic and carry it in their hearts and pockets. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do hope so. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this x
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 😉 Glad you brought the wheelchair, worth getting out and about, I’d think. So nice to have that day with A, the girls and S. What a gift to pass your love of the land to the girls. H. will surely remember it. Pocketed treasures forgiven. 😉 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
And as an edded gift, I’ve just spent the evening with my son, all fired up about standing stones… and that made my day 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love that, passing the torch!
LikeLike
I hope so 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you were able to share the tales and create another beautiful memory with your son and grandaughters. It’s a shame the wheelchair had to come out, but I’m sure everything else about the trip will be much clearer in the hearts and memories of the girls than that fact. Also, I love that the girls connected with the place so well they took their own small stones home without any adult prompting or knowledge, as well as the fact they presented you with a feather identical to the one that landed in front of you when you were there before.
LikeLike
It all seemed to mesh together perfectly, Tori… a real gift of a day.
LikeLike
Pingback: MarySmith’sPlace ~ Cancer Diary #26 – all kinds of medical questions; so far without answers | Mary Smith's Place
And the Wheel turns ever onward. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
As it always does 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that the girls brought the stones home and that you got to share such precious moments.
Stanny wants to know it Ani was in the mix?
LikeLike
No, not this time…no room in the one car, sadly, as I cannot drive any more.
LikeLike
I’m sure you got a helluva welcome when you went back to her!
LikeLike
She is very quiet at the moment, bless her.
LikeLike
Ani, is that you?
Love,
Puppy Stan xxxx
P.S. I got my paws on the computer and had to say hello. Hope I don’t get caught. I’m not half as clever as you. 💚
LikeLike
No, that was the two-legs 😉 xx
LikeLike
Were you upset they couldn’t bring you yesterday or did you get up to mischief?
LikeLike
I caught up on some sleep… I have been really busy on guard duty… 😉 xx
LikeLike
That’s good. Guard duty can be exhausting but I guess we have to sort of do our bit.
Have a lovely day hope you get lots of cuddles.
Stan xxx
LikeLike
I’ll do my best, Stan… they are pretty good with the cuddles at the moment xx
LikeLike
Here’s one from me to add to them,
Stanny 💙
LikeLike
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful thoughts and photographs, Sue. You are making memories for all your family to hold in their hearts. Take care of yourself. Jx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Judith. I am being well taken care of ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful family and a fun memory to cherish!
LikeLike
Yes, they are beautiful… all three of them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m very glad you are passing on the magic. And I’m very glad you had a beautiful day and the weather cooperated. Perfect days like that are so rare for all of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could not believe how lucky we were with the weather…I know how lucky I am with the family and the love I took with me ❤
LikeLike
This is such a treasure of time and place from every angle. I’m so glad your granddaughters were able to share it with you. (K)
LikeLike
So am I… and to see my son becoming enthused by the wonder of these places is yet anotehr gift.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant stuff…. so glad you got there and I will treasure the day we spent there…
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much magic in that day too, Gary… unforgettable 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
how lucky your granddaughters are to be able to listen to your stories that are both educational and entertaining. sounds like it was a special day…
LikeLike
It wa a wonderfulday, Jim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fairy magics is around us all, if we stop and look and listen and FEEL. I feel that there is lots of fairy magic within you, Sue, as you slay some mean dragons and “teach the children well.” ❤
LikeLike
I’ll jst tame th draons… slying them seems a tad unfair when theyare only following their nature. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I KNEW when I wrote slay I should slay my words!! Yes, tame is much better. xo ❤
LikeLike
❤
LikeLike
A beautiful venture with the family Sue I’m sure the precious ones loved the tour with grandma ❤ xx
LikeLike
I think they did. Hopefully, the weather will let us go out and feed the ducks at least this weekend 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So mote it be. 🙂 xx
LikeLike
Amen to that!xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful magical day that your son and granddaughters will remember and return to many times in the future where I know they will find your presence …in the wind, the trees… all around them …Thank you for sharing such a special day, Sue… Hugs x
LikeLike
I was so glad to be able to have that day with them and share a place that runs deep in my heart 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The whole post is just beautiful ❤
LikeLike
Thank you ❤
LikeLike
You’re welcome 🙂❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
My goodness! Spending the day at a remarkable site that you know so well with your granddaughters – and telling them the stories (that’s the best part) – will be a day they’ll always remember. I can picture the day. Thank you for this post and taking me there, Sue.
LikeLike
It is a place that means such a lot to us, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can tell…❤️
LikeLike
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thats definitely magic! Your writing, and also the landscape! Thank you for sharing, Sue! Best wishes, Michael
LikeLike
It is a beautiful and magical land 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. I hope these virus thing will end asap. Have an appointment with the Highlander too. Lol
LikeLike
I would have liked it to end before I was stuck at home in the south here…
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, Sue! Hope will never die. At least the UK has vaccinated the most of the citizens. You only have to keep closed the doors to Germany. 😉
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike