Your reflection on wells as a connection between the practical and sacred beautifully illustrates how the past continues to inform our present - something that resonates deeply with my perspective on time and place. There's profound wisdom in your observation about the layers of human lives perceptible on your land; it's a gentle reminder that we are all temporary stewards rather than permanent owners. I find it touching that your elderly visitors brought their memories back to the land, validating what you've intuitively sensed about its history - it's a powerful reminder that if we quiet ourselves and truly listen, places will share their stories with us. Thank you for this thoughtful meditation on place, time, and our responsibility to both.
Jack, as always, your comment is both kind and moving. I'm glad you share this perspective. I see us here as guardians: I almost never speak of 'our' land – as how can we possibly own anything outside ourselves? And from some (old hippy) perspectives, not even that (ourself). Thank you for your insightful thoughts.
I can’t wait to actually meet one day, share a nice cup of tea, and enjoy a long chat about the environment, philosophy, and writing poetry… Your writing and thoughtful articles consistently enthrall and inspire me!
Ah well me too! (You forgot to mention vegan recipes, of which you are the star. @VEGANWEEKLY)
We do good long pots of tea here :-). And you said once that you too write poetry, I think?
Jack, you've made my day. I've been feeling that my writing's been stale and stodgy, so that was lovely to hear. A deep bow to you, as we might say in the dharma world.
You seem to have found your place , Roselle! Such beautiful writing as usual but with enthusiasm and vigour which feels fresh. A lot is new to me so I’ll re-read. And the comments. Xx
So much to relate to. We cycled through Morlaix and in that area past several lavoirs. There must be wells near Leamington- it being a spa town. Exciting stuff. Xxx
I remember that you cycled this way, Marg – I think you came into the Forêt de Huelgoat? Depending on whether you took the Voie Verte from Roscoff, or came by road to and then out of Morlaix, you might have passed that particular little well with its lavoir. I love that many of these wells have picnic benches (I approve of the French habit of looonnnnggg lunches, though I rarely manage them myself). Yes, you would think that Leamington must have springs and wells. A new year's exploration?? Rx
How fascinating, and exciting, to discover the wells on your land, I’d love to hear more. And then the etymology of your name. It’s all there isn’t it, we just have to have the right mindset in order to see it. Ws the well you cycled to as a child Madron’s Well by any chance? If so your renegade Ionistas spent a little time there and in the chapel, 2 years ago, although only the two adventurers of our party, C. and S. undertook the very wet and muddy track all the way past the clootie tree to the actual hidden well. X
Chris, lovely comment, thank you. Is the C who went to the rather muddy puddle of a well you or the other C??
No, that's not the one. I'll tell you another time – very special, very magical, place. Last time I went to Madron (the Mother well – Ma) maybe 5 years ago I found the little chapel in shockingly sad condition. Glad you went though!
Yes, I love holy wells too. I recently discovered one tucked away behind one of my favourite churches in our corner of the Welsh Marches, St Mary's, Pilleth ... here's an old article about it which I had never seen until I discovered the well by accident. The views from the church's south and east sides are so spectacular that I had never bother to go round the back of the building until one day last summer. https://www.jlb2011.co.uk/walespic/churches/pilleth1.htm
Sacred wells are such beautiful things! I have to think that, from a sacred and energetic perspective, boarding them up hinders the flow, not just of water, but also of energy. Perhaps reviving them is another way of healing the land.
Your reflection on wells as a connection between the practical and sacred beautifully illustrates how the past continues to inform our present - something that resonates deeply with my perspective on time and place. There's profound wisdom in your observation about the layers of human lives perceptible on your land; it's a gentle reminder that we are all temporary stewards rather than permanent owners. I find it touching that your elderly visitors brought their memories back to the land, validating what you've intuitively sensed about its history - it's a powerful reminder that if we quiet ourselves and truly listen, places will share their stories with us. Thank you for this thoughtful meditation on place, time, and our responsibility to both.
Jack, as always, your comment is both kind and moving. I'm glad you share this perspective. I see us here as guardians: I almost never speak of 'our' land – as how can we possibly own anything outside ourselves? And from some (old hippy) perspectives, not even that (ourself). Thank you for your insightful thoughts.
I can’t wait to actually meet one day, share a nice cup of tea, and enjoy a long chat about the environment, philosophy, and writing poetry… Your writing and thoughtful articles consistently enthrall and inspire me!
Ah well me too! (You forgot to mention vegan recipes, of which you are the star. @VEGANWEEKLY)
We do good long pots of tea here :-). And you said once that you too write poetry, I think?
Jack, you've made my day. I've been feeling that my writing's been stale and stodgy, so that was lovely to hear. A deep bow to you, as we might say in the dharma world.
discovering the well sounds wonderful x
It was/is... x
You seem to have found your place , Roselle! Such beautiful writing as usual but with enthusiasm and vigour which feels fresh. A lot is new to me so I’ll re-read. And the comments. Xx
Ah thank you Marg! More to say but I'll save it.
So pleased you enjoyed the writing - it boosted me a lot to read your words. I'm suffering from a 'same old same old' sense at the moment. X
So much to relate to. We cycled through Morlaix and in that area past several lavoirs. There must be wells near Leamington- it being a spa town. Exciting stuff. Xxx
I remember that you cycled this way, Marg – I think you came into the Forêt de Huelgoat? Depending on whether you took the Voie Verte from Roscoff, or came by road to and then out of Morlaix, you might have passed that particular little well with its lavoir. I love that many of these wells have picnic benches (I approve of the French habit of looonnnnggg lunches, though I rarely manage them myself). Yes, you would think that Leamington must have springs and wells. A new year's exploration?? Rx
How fascinating, and exciting, to discover the wells on your land, I’d love to hear more. And then the etymology of your name. It’s all there isn’t it, we just have to have the right mindset in order to see it. Ws the well you cycled to as a child Madron’s Well by any chance? If so your renegade Ionistas spent a little time there and in the chapel, 2 years ago, although only the two adventurers of our party, C. and S. undertook the very wet and muddy track all the way past the clootie tree to the actual hidden well. X
Chris, lovely comment, thank you. Is the C who went to the rather muddy puddle of a well you or the other C??
No, that's not the one. I'll tell you another time – very special, very magical, place. Last time I went to Madron (the Mother well – Ma) maybe 5 years ago I found the little chapel in shockingly sad condition. Glad you went though!
Rxx
No not me, I sat in the chapel instead!
That little chapel needs as much help as it can receive from sympathetic humans. You'd have been good for it. xx
Yes, I love holy wells too. I recently discovered one tucked away behind one of my favourite churches in our corner of the Welsh Marches, St Mary's, Pilleth ... here's an old article about it which I had never seen until I discovered the well by accident. The views from the church's south and east sides are so spectacular that I had never bother to go round the back of the building until one day last summer. https://www.jlb2011.co.uk/walespic/churches/pilleth1.htm
How interesting, Clare. I know some of Wales' wells but not many, and none in the Marches that I can remember. I'll follow that link with joy.
Thanks for commenting.
Sacred wells are such beautiful things! I have to think that, from a sacred and energetic perspective, boarding them up hinders the flow, not just of water, but also of energy. Perhaps reviving them is another way of healing the land.
Yes, I completely agree, Laura. Thank you for reminding me that I believe that that, too, is a way of healing not just the waters but the land too.