Sunday, March 16, 2008

Leap of Faith

Legend has it that the famed daffodils of Farndale, North Yorkshire were originaly planted by the Cistercian monks of nearby Rievaulx Abbey nearly 900 years ago. We were perhaps a little early in the season to expect the usual riot of swaying yellow as mid-April is the best time to see them. Nevertheless, I mused on the origins of such legend - did the monks eat the daffies? Were they cultivated by wayward brothers with 'bad habits' who distilled the Narcissus for illicit recreation when the Abbott's back was turned? Alas, early research suggests that they planted them simply because because they liked the look of them!




Such care and devotion to aethstetics was much in evidence at the Feversham Arms too - this thirsty hiker traversed myriad obstacles on his way to the beer garden with almost gyroscopic control of the head on his 'Black Sheep' bitter!

" They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude, And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.." (William Wordsworth 1804)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Im really enjoying reading your stuff, my Mother originates from Guisboro and l know the area reasonably well from many visits up there to visit "rellies". I've only just found this site so it looks like an enjoyable day will be spent reading your blogs. I have read a couple so far and thoroughly enjoyed them...pls keep up the great works....

Waldo said...

Thanks Phil!

The Lone Beader® said...

The daffodils are beautiful. I hope I see many of them in England when I come over in May! :D

Waldo said...

You will posssibly catch the tail-end of the daffies in May LB - But if not the Bluebells will be carpeting your arrival! Thankyou for posting!