Bittersweet memories.

Our daughter in Bristol and I were not looking forward to yesterday, it was a year since the undergardener, my lovely husband and super Dad, passed away. Fortunately it was possible for our daughter to get the day off work and she came down to Devon to spend it with me. It turned out to be a lovely day in the end, going to one of the places which my husband and I loved visiting, Blackbury Camp bluebell wood, which I have prevously written about here. along with its history.

The bluebells are just coming out, they probably need another week of warm weather to be at their best, but they still looked beautiful.

The site dates back to about 8oo BC, archaelogical remains have been found in the area and are now at the local museum.

This tree stump looked very Tolkynesque, I’m sure I could see a few faces on it.

The ancient beech trees are quite majestic.

Our daughter is a very keen photographer.

There were flints everywhere, they made walking quite difficult in places. This is what the first settlers will have used to make their tools, arrows, axes etc.

We spent a lovely time here with the bluebells and the stunning apple green leaves of the beech trees. The only noise, apart from the occasional plane going overhead was from the wonderful birdsong,

We then came back to the village where I live and had lunch at our local pub where we were able to laugh at more memories of the undergardener. The day turned out to be a lot better than either of us had thought it would be, being able to look back on the good times spent together turned out to be quite amazing and very comforting.

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28 Responses to Bittersweet memories.

  1. Rosemarie says:

    I am so glad your day went well Pauline. I often think of our meetings together. x

  2. Sally says:

    Hi Pauline, I’m so glad you were able to spend the day with your daughter. The bluebell woods is so beautiful and. I never tire of your pictures of it. I can’t imagine what it must be like to walk through it. And, the history!

    • Pauline says:

      The history of the sight is amazing Sally. Of course the trees and bluebells wouldn’t have been there all those years ago, I think they would have been able to see for miles around and out to sea so that they could see if they were going to be attacked. I like it now that nature has made a home there.

  3. Peter says:

    I hope the beauty of the bluebell wood and each other’s company helped in both of your healing from the pain of the loss of your undergardener. So nice that you got to spend the day together to remember this special man.

    • Pauline says:

      It turned out in the end, to be a really lovely day Peter, I’m just so glad that my daughter was able to get the day off work and didn’t have to face it by myself. After 50 yrs together, there were lots of memories and it was nice to remember all the good times.

  4. Rachael says:

    It was a beautiful day Mum, Dad would have approved and Blackberry Camp is just stunning xxxx

    • Pauline says:

      Your Dad was certainly with us in spirit yesterday Rachael, we both used to enjoy visiting the bluebell woods most years at this time, it had become a very special place for both of us. Many thanks for managing to get the day off and come down to be with me, I really appreciated your company.

  5. Alison says:

    I’m so glad that you had your daughter close enough that you could get together on such a difficult day and do something like this. The bluebells are beautiful!

    • Pauline says:

      The bluebells were stunning Alison, every one an English bluebell, no Spanish ones allowed! It was wonderful to have our daughter with me to share the day, it turned out to be a lot better than we thought it would be, so many memories to share.

  6. Cathy says:

    I am glad you ended up having a lovely day together, full of good memories and laughter too. The bluebell woods are so pretty! My sister sent me photos of one she visited yesterday (Coton Manor in Northants), and they were open a little more than yours but it is a very sheltered spot. Bluebell woods are something I miss here in Bavaria!

    • Pauline says:

      The bluebell wood was lovel Cathyy, with bluebells as far as the eye can see. It is such an ancient site with the outer ramparts being covered with the flowers too, they have certainly made themselves at home there. It was certainly good to have had my daughter’s company yesterday, I wouldn’t have liked being on my own at all.

  7. Anne says:

    So pleased you were able to spend the day with your daughter and remember your husband. A potentially difficult day turned out alright after all. The bluebells are wonderful! X

    • Pauline says:

      It turned out to be a much better day than we expected, thank you Anne.I always enjoy visiting the bluebells, they are such a wonderful sight at this time of year.

  8. Denise says:

    The bluebell wood is just stunning Pauline and what a lovely way to spend the day in tribute and rememberance of your husband. I’m glad to hear you could share it with your daughter and that happy memories prevailed!

    • Pauline says:

      Happy memories certainly prevailed Denise, he was such a fun loving person, always telling jokes, so there was a lot to remember. I always love visiting the bluebells, they are such an amazing sight contrasting with the fresh green of the beech leaves.

  9. Susie says:

    Glad you and your lovely daughter could enjoy the day together at a place that already held many nice memories and now you’re creating special new ones. Hugs to you Pauline.

  10. Christina says:

    Dear Pauline, I’m so glad you were able to be with your daughter on this anniversary. Happy memories are the way forward. I love seeing bluebell woods, as I’ve said many times it is one of the things I miss most about England, we were usually able to visit one when we visited my MIL for her birthday, again that is a visit that is no longer possible. Being able to create good new memories that still include you Under gardener is a good step forward

    • Pauline says:

      It turned into a lovely day, thank you Christina, far better than we had anticipated. The bluebell wood is a special place for us and one that we will visit many more times.

  11. Frank says:

    A beautiful place to share wonderful memories. I’m glad your daughter was able to spend the day with you and and remember good times, it’s hard to believe it’s already been a year. All the best.

    • Pauline says:

      Yes Frank, the past 12 months seem to have flown by, thank you for your good wishes. I was so pleased when my daughter told me that she had managed to get the day off work, I don’t think either of us were looking forward to it, but spending it together made it so much better.

  12. Jason says:

    Going ahead with something that discomforts us often turns out better than avoidance. I’m glad you found the day to be comforting.

  13. snowbird says:

    Ahhhh, I’m so glad the day went well, these anniversaries are often difficult. What a wonderful idea to remember the Undergardener by visiting one of his favourite places, a very beautiful place. I can imagine how bittersweet it was. Hugs to you both.xxx

    • Pauline says:

      Thank you so much for your message Dina, I really appreciate it. Getting through the first year hasn’t been easy at times, but now I feel that life can only get better.

  14. Cathy says:

    What a poignant visit, but stilll one to treasure

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