The lions, the witch and no wardrobe.

January can be a tough month to crack with the challenging weather and the colourless emptiness which follows on from all the excitement over Christmas. However, I believe that it can be done, but I just have to work a bit harder to find the things I love and which keep me at my happiest. Completely ignoring the grey clouds and below freezing temperatures I had some errands to run. There was no plan to look out for anything in particular, but I was tuned in and the magic happened. By now you might imagine that there can't be anything new for me to capture in the familiar confines of my home town, but once again it just goes to prove that there is still the unfamiliar within the familiar. 

My first port of call was our local parish church. It's been quite a while since I've been and in the intervening time I've read several articles which have greatly furthered my understanding of how the building is laid out and details of the interior. It's not uncommon for me to see random helmets hung up in some of the churches I visit. Without the knowledge I assumed this to be some sort of heraldic affectation. Perhaps it is elsewhere, but this one with its rather fine red lion [some say leopard, but it has more of a leonine look about it] with a golden eagle claw at the top is the real deal. It belonged to Thomas Covert and is from 1495.

There did seem to be a bit of a lion theme emerging actually. They are very commonly depicted on recumbent figures on tombs either as some some of foot rest or underneath the head.

Our knight here is Thomas de Braose who died in 1395. He's gone one better lion wise and has got a beast at his feet and under his head. The first time I saw his helmet with the lion's head popping out I was quite intrigued. Now I can tell you that there is a special term for this type and it's called a bassinet. He's wearing the armour of Richard II's reign, but he didn't die on the battlefield as you might imagine. Tragically he and his two infant children died within days of each other most probably from the same cause. It seems most likely that the two little ones are buried with him. One cannot imagine how devastating this must have been for his widow Margaret. Later on she remarried another local worthy and went on to have more children.

With the lions covered this is the promised witch....one of the local salons has had a rebrand. The owner is a very free spirit and definitely of a pagan leaning.

Alas no wardrobes, but the local Victorian cemetery comes into its own on days such as these. Although it's slap bang in the middle of town I always have it to myself. It's eerie on the brightest of days, but there was an ethereal quality to it this time. It's been recognised as an important haven for wildlife within the built up environment and on one occasion I stumbled across a fox 🦊 curled up having a snooze. We were both a little startled to say the least! The delicate cushions of moss covered in the hoar frost stopped me in my tracks. Recently the council has put up a couple of information boards....one promises the appearance goldilocks buttercups in the early Spring. I've never seen them so a return visit is definitely on the cards!

The thing I miss most about this season is the ability to find the bright spots of colour which I find so life affirming and uplifting. However, finding this stunning doorstep mosaic fulfilled that need. I've never noticed it before as the building is now a restaurant and the space is covered with outdoor seating. Originally it started out as a co-op so I suspect that the aqua hues were chosen to match the branding of the company.

I will be starting to travel further afield in search of adventure in the coming weeks, but at the moment I am happily pottering around at home, resting and reading as I  gradually recharge after a busy festive period.

Arilx