Sunday, June 17, 2007

Flight

Looking south along Long Mountain

Isn't it wonderful, this countryside of ours?

Today, from 2,000 feet up, a glorious panorama unfolded beneath us; rolling hills sheltered crinkled clefts and creases. In the valleys sluggish serpentine rivers eased through ancient fields; leasows, meadows and crofts - a pattern of a myriad of greens and browns, sprinkled with cattle and sheep. And here and there, tied together by path and road and lane, those places we call home.

This is the place we call home:







.....and this is the place my predecessors called home. It's somewhere in the top centre. It has helped seeing the plots marked out. It's where Elizabeth Cross, widow of Sam Cross was a farmer of 5 acres. Sam was a lead miner but at the time of his death, presumably when too old to be a miner, he was a ratcatcher. An honourable trade or calling I like to think.

This is the village of Snailbeach:














...and on the western slopes of the ridge known as the Stiperstones is the village of Stiperstones:


14 comments:

Pondside said...

So sorry about One-eyed Riley!
I loved the photos from the air. What fun that flight must have been! Your home looks like something from a picture.

Pipany said...

What fab photos. It's the first time I've caught your blog but really enjoyed it. I'll be visiting again x

Annie said...

Oh poor Riley. So sorry the outcome wasn't a better one.
I'm really impressed with the photos. What beautiful countryside we live in. I would have stood out and given you a wave if I'd known you were flying over. See you soon.

Suffolkmum said...

Beautiful pictures - and words. It sounds magical and wild where you are. Sorry about poor old Riley.

snailbeachshepherdess said...

oh wow! Was it your flight i waved at like a loony at 4:50ish? These are wonderful pics!

snailbeachshepherdess said...

have had to come back...the pics enlarge really well and if you enlarge Snailbeach...the farm at the bottom...go to far left and there are two white houses down a track...ours would be the next one in the row that you have cut off! Our sheep are in the field on the far right and look like dandruff! You really get the flat area at Blakemoorgate and the moorland in the other one on the top of the Stiperstones...I really enjoyed that ..thanks ever so much

Chris Stovell said...

How exciting to see where you.. and almost snailbeachshepherdess are!

countrymousie said...

The photos are simply wonderful. I do live in one of the highest spots in Suffolk - about 3" above sea level! only kidding. We are on a hill and I can see 7 churches from my attic bedrooms. Poor Riley - love mousie

Anonymous said...

Wow! Amazing photographs. They remind of a patchwork quilt. How beautiful.
Crystal x

Mutterings and Meanderings said...

Fab! Do you have a broomstick, balloon or plane?

mountainear said...

Broomstick, balloon or plane? Feet of lead and a head full of magic more like.

The prosaic answer is 'helicopter' - and probably the most exhilarating time you can have with your clothes on.

And SBS - the answer is 'Yes, probably.' Sorry to have missed you!

Exmoorjane said...

Fabulous pictures and how lovely to see where you and SBS live....it's a stunning area, one Adrian in particular adores (and often lobbies for a move. I shan't show him the pics!!! I'd never hear the last of it).
Sorry to hear about One-Eyed Riley....happens to the best of us!
jx

Chris at 'Chrissie's Kitchen' said...

Absolutely marvellous! This area, for me, is the most magical place. If I didn't live where I do live (which is pretty bloody terrific I think), I would choose to live around the Stiperstones. Fantasic pics, Mountainear.
Lizzie x

bodran... said...

Like lizzy if i didnt like home so much i'd be on the border somewhere thanks for the photos and a pity you cant make thursday..x