Yesterday was damp and drizzly, murky and misty but I decided to pop out for a few hours locally despite the weather as I was getting fed up of being cooped indooors.
I decided to check out a couple of local churches which I haven't visited before. Unsurprisingly, both appeared to be locked. I've discovered that most churches in North Warwickshire do tend not to be open whereas those in South Warwickshire often are.
First of all I went to St Wilfred's, Old Arley and here it is surrounded by mist!
The church is fairly old as the chancel and nave were re-built in the 14th century when the West tower was added. I have a useful book on Old Parish Churches in Warwickshire and when this was written it sounds as though churches were still open as mention is made of fragments of original glass in one North Window in the chancel and an effigy of a priest with angels at his pillow dated 1350.
A few photos of the exterior of the church and churchyard.
I've never seen anything like this on a grave before.
The churchyard was full of yew trees and it would certainly have been worth visiting a few months ago when there was a huge influx of Hawfinches which seemed to favour churchyards especially those with yews!
Onto St Giles, Nether Whitacre.
Parts of the Chancel date back to the 14th century and the tower is 16th century.
There were a few Primroses and Lesser Celandines in flower along with plenty of Daffodils.
Many gravestones were old and weathered with inscriptions erased by weathering and the stone covered with moss and lichen.
Daffodils and Primroses
Recent Reading
The second in the "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon and a re-read. Am so enjoying re-acquainting myself with this series.
Determined to learn more of Mary Anning - I read this super book.
And so onto the next Maisie Dobbs novel - this series just gets better and better.
The Lake District Mystery Books are good too - I will be sad when I have reached the end of the series.
D recommended this children's book to me and as he wants to visit the area where the series is set - see here I thought I would read the book. It is exciting and well written (although I would imagine a bit frightening for children!) and if you like fantasy, legend and folklore, I think you would enjoy it. I certainly couldn't put it down!
Baking
Years ago when I was little mum often used to bake a chocolate orange drizzle cake. I have never found the exact recipe but recently found something similar on BBC Good Food website which I made today. It went down well with the family - as you can see there is only half left. The recipe can be found here .
