I was inspired by Tania Kindersley’s blog post yesterday (you must read her words, they are always inspiring or/and thoughtful) to put up pictures I took over the years out of the window of our old house in the middle of nowhere in Southwest England.
It’s taken me a little while to be able to look at these pictures without feeling sad and maudlin. The old house was such a perfect place to host a family Christmas in the bleak midwinter. Fires roaring, dogs snoozing, candles flickering….
Similarly, it was the place to be on a hot summer’s day when we could just wander in the gardens, or open up all doors and windows and let the cool breeze drift through the house. This is of course a romantic view; many a time on a hot day there’d be a contractor working on the field opposite. The air would be filled with engine roar, diesel fumes and clouds of grain dust, or worse: muck spreading.
Anyway, the images below make me recall just the good times. I can’t remember why I started taking a picture of the view out of our bedroom window – perhaps it was a particularly stunning sunset, or an unusually spectacular fox hunt, but I did it for years, almost every day. I’ve chosen a few to show you, in no particular order.
Lovely, what an amazing view! I really appreciate all that change in colours and seasons. Well done.
Love
Daniel
What a glorious place—I can understand your homesickness. Not that you don't love your new life in the city; I believe it's possible to hold two conflicting ideas at the same time. One of my great thrills in moving from L.A. to New York has been the chance to watch the glide from one season into another, as your gorgeous photographs illustrate so beautifully. Thank you for sharing them.
Having just moved the other way as it were – from city to country – I am so happy to be back in wilderness. I hate towns (and particularly Brussels!). You must miss your house so much.
Susan, I think you are very right about missing a place and yet being happy where you are – and you put it so beautifully too.
Daniel, thank you.
The Return of the Native, you see I'm just the opposite – I love the city more than the country (read about muck spreading above….)
xx
Absolutely gorgeous!
I never forget our first time there and being woken up by the cows on the fields next to you. A totally surreal wake up call for a citygirl!
Lovely but also is your contrasting life now xx
Lovely pictures. I know how you feel about the muck spreading, it makes me hate July!
I love it. Love it.
Dear Helena, what a beautiful view! Lovely pictures, it's great to see the seasons change. You must think of all the new things you've gained in London xx