From away…
Very jet-lagged and slightly muddled after an irresistibly impulsive flight to our beloved England and the sheltering hospitality of beloved friends. But oh, so happy and grateful to have been there…
It was one golden day after another of early spring sunshine and snowdrops and daffodils, of long talks over guttering candles at the dinner table and rapturous drives through a countryside jubilant with its own loveliness…
Romantic ruins and windswept hilltops and cream teas at the conclusion of bracing peregrinations…
Pubs and picnics and plenty of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk in the field bag and friendly vicars and the evensong of wood pigeons…
Views reached only by foot and violets in the grass and bookshops and bits of early 19th century pewter to add to our collection…
And blessed, blessed beauty-laden England itself. My soul was fed in a thousand ways.
I am thankful beyond words.
Just lovely Lanier – although I was hoping for a pic of that alabaster lamp you referred to. 😉
Hehe…it’s in pieces right now, in the process of being re-wired. 😉 But I will document it–if nothing else, for the miracle of having gotten it home without mishap! (And, oh, how worth the trouble…it’s so pretty. :))
Welcome home and thanks for sharing! I have been longing to travel to the English countryside lately; I’ll have to live through your photos and words for now 🙂
Also, I am anxiously awaiting the additions to the shop – yay!
Beautiful. 🙂
So lovely! What a delightful adventure.
What a wonderful opportunity! I hope you will write a little about your trip, so I can do some armchair traveling. 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing what you found for your shop, too.
I am dearly jealous! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos.
Welcome home! 🙂
Can it be any more perfect!
Love the quotes to go along with your wonderful photos!
A fellow anglophile!
Joanne
Oh Lanier, another breathtaking tribute to my homeland. As I write this I am sat at my desk in the London office where I work, and longing to escape to the country. And by the way, isn’t Lulworth Cove stunning?? I went there for a field trip years ago (a very unglamorous affair) and was speechless for the natural wonder of it all.
Oh Lanier, another beautiful post! I love opening up “Laniers Books,” enormous mug of tea in hand, and losing myself in the inspiring beauty of your posts! You are officially my favourite place to visit on the web.
-Gwen (from Australia)
Delightful in every sense! Loved this so much! Thank you.
So GLAD you were able to visit your beloved England this spring. What glorious, gentle photos. It’s lovely to see you living your dreams, and to see the landscapes of cherished, old books brought to life.
We love Dorset-Corfe and Durdle Door as favourites. Love your photos.
We had a very quick trip down last week but were side tracked by beaches.
I found your site last evening and have been enjoying exploring it-I enjoy old books too although reading time is in short supply.
Sarah from across the Pond.
Beautiful photos. Dorset is beautiful. Cornwall is my favourite in the south-west.
Have you ever visited north-west England? We have some beautiful rugged landscapes. You’d love Haworth, the home of the Brontes. Such a pretty village, great little shops too.
Thank you, Sarah. 🙂 Cornwall is our favorite, too, the Roseland Peninsula, in particular.
I’ve been to the Lakes and I’ve dipped into Yorkshire but it was years ago (and I was completely captivated, though time was short). Our next trip over is definitely going to comprise both of those areas…and Haworth was on my list. I’m so happy to hear it recommended so highly. 🙂 I can’t wait to get to know the north of England.