Earlier in the week we went to a church in this area (well, a few miles from Highdale) that I'd not visited previously (and we've lived here twenty years come November), although Ann says she went to a concert there with the W.I. or the Mothers' Union some years ago. It is well off the beaten track and only visible from the road in winter, and then only a quick glimpse in passing. It is a pretty little church, mainly early 14th century, with a couple of late Norman doorways (one shown below). Well worth a visit - sorry, should have said - it's Nedging Church.
Drove back via previously unexplored lanes, and took photos through the car windows of early cottages. The one below is an early single storey farm cottage. Probably originally two or three cottages, now knocked into one, and very well cared for.
The cottage above is a little beauty of a small farmhouse, built around a pair of Tudor chimneys, and with that odd air I've mentioned before of having grown into its surroundings. It's reassuring to know that there's still bits of Suffolk to explore.
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This morning went to the funeral of an old friend, Terry. Known him for forty years or so. He was a dealer in antique weaponry (should perhaps add : - etc.). The funeral was held some miles away at Hitcham. Nice service - well attended - in lovely Church. After the service and interment we went on to the White Horse, where refreshments were laid on. Met a good many old aquaintances. Got home just in time to attend scrabble club - but not time enough to change out of me subfuscs (funeral clobber). When I got there Hilary looked at me and said "No need to ask where you've been. Anyone I know ?" Which of course Terry wasn't - so explained that he was an old friend and business aquaintance. Usual well fought three games, Hilary won the first, I the second, and Kevin the third. Just had dinner/sorry - supper nowadays. Ann nipped into the butcher's this afternoon and bought a chicken, which she roast and served up with a lemon and garlic sauce - recommended by our butcher. He's a good cook and he and Ann often swap recipes. Don't know why, but we always seem to feel very tired after a funeral.
So we're going to have an early night.
Good Night all.
3 comments:
Funerals are tiring Mike, especially for top alpha males who feel responsible for sensitively supporting all the other mourners. Its like being on look-out duty, one's psychic radar is on full alert for signs of weakness and trembling upper-lips so that hugs and hankies may be dispensed as appropriate. Just radiating strength and calm is a great drain on one's energies.
Give yourself a bit of recovery time with a cuppa and a crossword, or go and tinker in the cellar.
Big hugs and kindly blessings to you both, from Jude and me. (Ungrammatical but homely)
Hello Carl and Jude. Interesting idea of yours re funerals. Should perhaps have described the funeral a bit more.
Between fifty and sixty people I should think, three quarters of them male, and most of those looked pretty alpha (not sure that those two adjectives go very well together, but I'm sure you'll know what I mean). To give you some idea, many of them antique arms collectors/dealers, and one or two gunsmiths (although these, too looked ex army). The favoured form of dress was light grey flannels, navy blazers and regimental ties. One or two (me included) in the more traditional dark, double breasted suits, black ties and dark grey topcoats. Chaps who would be ready to help in any emergency, but not (to pinch your wording) hugs and hankie dispensers, I'd have thought. There were also a couple of small groups of rather gypsy looking types, but if you remember that Terry was a fairly specialised dealer, and remembering that gypsies tend to come across all types of metalware when dealing, I suppose - not too surprising. Generally speaking the dozen or so wives were more or less what you'd expect. At least one pleasant surprise though. One other dealer, much my vintage, who lives in Bury Saint Edmund's and whom I meet several times annually (usually in London around the major sale rooms) turned up with his wife, who we'd never previously met. She too, was much our vintage and absolutely charming! Ann spent quite a while with her (at the bean feast afterwards) and we all said how surprising it was that we'd not met Margaret previously. On the way home Ann said she'd like to know her better, and we agreed that we'd better ask them for a meal. We'll see.
Hi Mike, That sounds like a tiring funeral in the very best of ways. I was using the alpha adjective in the zoological behavioural sciences specialized register as a word to designate specimens which exhibit qualities of strength, group domination, leadership and protection. Thought it rather suited you, although you clearly had well qualified back-up by the bucket-full.
Nice to find old aquaintances and make new friends. I must try to get to more funerals!
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