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Friday 7 August 2015

CAMPING IN SUMMER WINE* COUNTRY


 Up here there are no protective walls,
just open air. It is cold, freezing in fact
and the ground is rocky. Sunrise
has a peculiar effect on the waking senses:
shadows moving across rippling canvas
become Compo, Clegg, Foggy and the rest, creeping
into the tail end of restless dreams.
A sudden gust of wind makes them jump,
as rainwater from last night's storm
cascades noisily down the sides of our tent.
With full consciousness the Summer Wine illusion recedes,
untouchable as tomorrow, leaving
two campers shivering in inefficient sleeping bags.

Soon bacon and eggs are frying, spitting fat,
over a single ring Gaz cooker.
Aah! Such delicious aroma of bygone days.
Tent door open, the sloping field stretches out,
rain-drenched green. Grazing sheep
baa out a catchy melody that makes us want to dance.
We begin to thaw like icicles in the pale sun
that has come to remind us this is high summer.
Where we sit, warmth-animated, harvest men congregate
in their leggy beauty, seeking suitable mates for the coming autumn.



























The moon's day-ghost gradually fades into blue,
and a gigantic bumble bee strays into our tent.
Today, we are going to Holmfirth, in search of Nora Batty's house...



























* For anyone who is unfamiliar with "Last of the Summer Wine"...it was a popular long-running British comedy series about a group of O.A.P.'s reliving their lost youth!

I am taking a short break, so will visit you all again soon. Have a great week! :))

28 comments:

  1. Great thoughts and photos. Greetings!

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    1. Many thanks, "B"!
      I have been visiting your blog, but have been unable to leave any comments this week. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it is a hiccup on blogger?! :/

      Have a great weekend, my Friend! :))

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  2. So beautiful and so gorgeous, dearest Ygraine.
    I will look forward to your return and of course I will miss your presence in Blogland~

    Hugs and Love
    xoxoxo

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    1. Thank you so much, dear Jan.
      I was so annoyed to hear about the problem you've been having on blogger. It is so unfair.
      Please don't let it put you off. Every blog you've had has been really precious to me. A huge hollow would appear in my world if you decided to quit.
      Oh these people...they should be banned from the internet!

      Have a fabulous week...and I will (hopefully) catch up with you again real soon.

      Much Love & Hugs xoxoxo

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    2. Thank you, dearest Ygraine, very much.
      I still have this strange, uncomfortable feeling inside me...but I will move on.
      I must admit that I do not like comment moderation, but I will use it for a while.
      You have a great time in whatever you do with your time away and of course I look forward to your return :)

      Lots of Hugs and Love
      xoxoxo

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    3. Thank you so much, my beautiful friend...and I am so proud of you for refusing to let these people win.
      BRAVO...and we are with you all the way!

      All my Love & Hugs xoxoxo

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  3. Your words put forth such a wonderful place and experience. Enjoy..

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    1. This part of Yorkshire is so stunning, Anthony...I so wish you could see it for yourself someday (if you haven't already!).
      Thank you so much...:)

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  4. This is so beautiful, Ygraine, and has evoked many positive childhood memories for me. Thank you so much for sharing your talent. You have an amazing way with words.

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  5. This is so beautiful, Ygraine, and has evoked many positive childhood memories for me. Thank you so much for sharing your talent. You have an amazing way with words.

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    1. Oh you are so kind, Linda. Thank you so much...:)

      Big Hugs xoxoxo

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  6. Hi Ygraine..beautiful and uplifting..many sights/sound/scents and imageries shining through your words..and sparking me up with thoughts and visions..love it!! Wonderful pictures as well! Wishing you magic and blessings wherever you go!
    Shine on my sweet friend!
    Victoria

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    1. Oh Victoria...my heart-felt thanks.
      Your comments always uplift me and fill me with the confidence to keep writing - even when the dreaded writer's block strikes!
      I am so, so happy you enjoyed reading this. It was such am amazing place to visit.
      Thank you again, my dear Kindred...from the depths of my heart.:)

      Much Love & Hugs xoxoxo

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  7. __From that stone wall, to the 'daddy-longlegs,' Nora's fictional house; "such delicious aroma of bygone days. Nifty "Y" !

    summer wine
    this last season's reward
    a coffee cup

    __Camping so often shows what real life is... being nature. _m

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    1. That is exactly how it is in this part of the country, Doug...like stepping into a bygone era!
      Life there is slower, more laid back...and each time I visit, I wish I could stay.
      Oh how that coffee cup is calling to me...;)

      Many thanks, my friend! :))

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  8. This sounds really beautiful dear Ygraine, love it!:))

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  9. This sounds really beautiful dear Ygraine, love it!:))

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    1. Yes, it is an incredibly beautiful part of England. I love the ruggedness of the moors, the quaint little pubs etc....oh I could stay forever!

      Thank you so much, dear Gloria...

      and have a fabulous week!:)

      Much Love & Hugs xoxoxo

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  10. Camping! We go every chance we get! Yes, we get wet, we get cold we can see our breath weave itself into the morning fog as we sip hot coffee while waiting for our bacon and eggs to grill over the open flames. And the wildlife at our toes (literally) cannot go unnoticed. Very evocative a reminder - thank you, Ygraine! :) xx

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    1. Yes...really good to get back to Nature now and again, isn't it?
      How I love to escape the hustle and bustle of suburbia whenever I can!

      Thank you so much, Dale.:) xoxoxo

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  11. You write so darn well - i could visualize it all.

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    1. Many thanks, Sandy...and so glad you enjoyed! :))

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  12. Wow how grand and magnificent, the telling is magical and the writing is always passionate and lovely, also love the photo dear Ygraine

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    1. Oh thank you, Sweetie!
      You are so kind...and I am so happy you enjoyed reading this.:)

      Do so hope you are feeling a lot better now.

      Much Love & hugs xoxoxo

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  13. Hope you're enjoying your blog break! See you here again soon. :)

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    1. Yes, thank you, Lux...it was really good to escape into the countryside and just do nothing for a short while!
      Hope you had a good week too.:))

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  14. Boa tarde, descreve na perfeição todo o envolvimento do frio e do campismo, muito bem!
    AG

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    1. Good afternoon, AG!
      Thank you so much for your kind words...I really appreciate...:))

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on my posts.
I really appreciate hearing your opinions...:)