22 August 2014

"As if you were among Angels"

Yesterday I went to Hereford to study the Mappa Mundi and other materials relevant to research for the book. I made an early start so that I could walk over wooded hills to the west in the morning light.



Pockets of ancient semi-natural woodland at Credenhill Park Wood include numerous old yews. Ash trees edge the embankment around a clearing at the top of hill where more than 2000 years ago was a great fort. There are views from here to a great distance.  Thomas Traherne wrote:
Your enjoyment never is right, till every morning you wake in Heaven, see yourself in your Father's palace, and look upon the Skies, the Earth, the Air as Celestial Joys, having such Reverend Esteem of all, as if you were among Angels.


Speaking on Today this morning in connection with the Living Symphonies project, Richard Mabey noted that some 20 different senses have been identified in the plant kingdom.   Walking in Badnage Wood yesterday brought to mind this from Italo Calvino:
seek and learn to recognize who and what, in the midst of inferno, are not inferno, then make them endure, give them space.


Images taken with a mobile phone. Hence the poor quality


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