A Day for Meadows & Memories

". . . that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel . . ."  Philippians 1:27

This was a priceless experience having two young women teaching us out in the middle of a meadow in England.  They taught us the spiritual and physical blessings received from living the Word of Wisdom.  No one knew back in the 1800's what we know now about the things talked about for living a healthy life in Doctrine and Covenants 89.  For every research article that comes out finding something "good for you," more come out saying there is harmful effects.  All I know is, my doctor handed me a list of things to stay away from and things to eat and it matches the Word of Wisdom counsel.  It boils down to faith and obedience.  Follow it and the blessings come.

By the way, even though they aren't mentioned specifically in the W of W, don't eat the toadstools I'm posting.  There were so many I couldn't get pictures of all the varieties.

This is the name of the quarry area the family took us to.  We were in the area that has been reclaimed.

Overlooking the quarry.  We had our lesson and exploring in the area on the left lower down.

Hiking in to their special spot.

Perfect spot for a lesson

Is someone hogging the blanket?  Shall we throw her into the bog behind us?

This moment was quite tender and I couldn't resist a photo.  The look says, "irreverent photographer," and the hand held up by Elder Blain waving me off with a stern look (after the camera clicked) confirmed my timing was way off.   Ah, yes, paparazzi are NOT favorite people in certain circumstances.  Elder Blain is wearing his red cost-a-pound hat because he is afraid to ruin his cool Colorado Rockies hat Karalee sent him for his birthday.  He is "saving" it like LaVern used to do with nice things she received.  I gave him the, "Enjoy it while you're living," lecture.  He says he is enjoying looking at it and it should be worn with his suit because it is too nice for jeans.  Silly.

Things have gotten a little more relaxed, ah, out of hand at this point.  These are our first pictures in "civys."

The lovely blue boots are called Wellies.

Picking berries along the way.  Thousands of them everywhere.

The water drained off this tree into the toadstool.

Eeek!  Teeth!

These red berries are everywhere.  Elder Blain says they are ash trees.  They really stand out in the green forest.

Picking heather.

Here's a heather bouquet in the making for us.

Climbing the stile with her Wellies and a bag full of berries.

Climbing the stile in style.

Okay.  Had to add some flowers.

Some token purple for the purple lovers

Heather growing in a boggy area--that should satisfy the purple lovers!

Leaving the special place

Gorgeous day

There was a crooked cow who had a crooked horn.

Actually, a bunch of these cows had crooked horns.  They don't believe in de-horning over here.  Humane is the word in England when it comes to animals.  I wish it had been that way when I was growing up.  Holding the string to stop the bleeding (after he'd crunched the horns out with this awful device) was a terrible job my grandpa had us do.

Visit to 11th Century Abbey Ruins

"But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice:  let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them:  let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."  Psalm 5:11

This was a table.

 

This was the toilet.

"Plumbing" for toilet.

 

We especially enjoyed the architectural details.

 

Can you imagine stone steps being worn like these over the centuries?

An actual very old ford over the creek.

Lovely stable.

These are the connectors they used for the wooden support beams throughout the inside of the building.

Elder Blain met the world travelers below (100 countries is their goal) and is wearing a real sheep hat.  It must have come from the black sheep in the family.

These people are amazingly talented and interesting.  We'll have to tell you their story later.