Tag: Lake District

Winterscape

Winterscape is a photograph taken by my friend Gill who lives in the Lake District.
She sent it to me yesterday and I just want to share such a beautiful photo. So often photos can be more meaningful than words.

  O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord :

praise him, and magnify him for ever.

  O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord :

praise him, and magnify him for ever.

(from the Benedicite – a song of creation
‘Benedicite’ means – a blessing)

[Mr G]

photo by Gill Henwood

Winterscape Postscript from Gill

When I took this photo yesterday morning, I was admiring the branches bearing fresh snow in the stillness of the filtered daylight. As I framed the picture, I noticed for the first time, a very tall conifer tree within the bare branches of the ‘linear wood’ of the lane. I realised with Mr G’s posting that I haven’t noticed that tree for the seven and a half years I have been walking down the lane. Only the loss of the thick glorious canopy of mature trees’ leaves has revealed the conifer within, and the holly bushes too.
I am reflecting on loss and revelation, the beauty of the skeletal decidous trees and the quiet, hidden contrast of the lush, hardy evergreens…. [GH]

Buds and Dewdrops

One of the joys of the Lake District is the spectacular landscape and, of course, the changing reflections of the seasons.
My friend Gill lives in the heart of it all which is a privilege she recognises.
Her photography provides me with a lot of inspiration for Blog items.
The theme of these two photographs is dewdrops and buds
They also capture something of the change from Autumn to Winter.
There is also a hint of the Advent theme of Light.

Here’s what Gill has to say:

On birch in Grizedale Forest, misty sunlight shines through the dew.
Nature’s Advent with sparkling jewels.
Light dazzling on bare branches above the russet bracken.
Looking closely, each dewdrop hangs from a bud …
There is more…
There is hope, promise, presence, glory – Advent longing ..
The trees and shiny dewdrops call to mind Christmas tree candles, St Lucy’s crown lights and Advent Carol tea lights,
The Advent ring.

The darkness is pinpricked with moments of light as we move through this season towards the glorious light of the Incarnation – the birth of the Christ-child.
The birth which comes with the renewal of our lives through  new hope, joy and expectancy….
In the gloom of our present world we long for the bright presence of God to spring us into a deeper meaning of our humanity.
A meaning  of which Nature shows us signs of being almost here in bud and dewdrop and in Advent waiting.

Photographs by Gill Henwood – Autumn in the Lake District

[Mr G and Gill Henwood]

Summer Solstice

Photo of Red Screes, Lake District taken by Gill Henwood

My dear friend Gill Henwood has sent me this to help us celebrate the Longest day or Summer Solstice. *

“Here’s a photo from yesterday evening of Red Screes, the fell between Ambleside and the Kirkstone Pass to Ullswater. The midsummer sun setting at its furthest NNW reach casts a shadow only seen for a few evenings, showing the steep face of the screes’ far side. On the saddle under the deep shadow lies the Kirkstone Inn – bathed in glorious sunlight all day but deepest shadow under the great fell.

It seems a parable of contrast – dazzling glory is heightened by deepest shadow. And the darkest shade has piercing light beyond.

It reminds me of a story that in a night time barn or hall, a huge space, it only takes one candle to give us light. God illuminates us in the Light of Christ, shining in the deepest dangers of our troubled world.”

[GH]

Dear God
Thank you for light and warmth. 
Thank you for the sun.
Thank you for the gifts of nature and for the annual cycles and seasons.
Today, give us grace to see you as the Creator,
the One who lifts us to the light.

Amen

* A solstice is an event that occurs when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. Two solstices occur annually, around June 21 and December 21.

Winter Fell

The Langdale Pikes, from a ridge above Tarn Hows. Tom Heights is the ridge in the foreground. 
English Lakes World Heritage Site. photographed by my friend, Gill Henwood

Winter Fell

Mountain rock dons winter coat
of dank, limp-wristed trees,
shivering  black shadows on gaunt landscape.
Forbidding icy grip, peppered with
Angel-dust of powdery snow.

Strangely beautiful!
welcoming in odd majestic way.
Beckoning!

Clouds furls round,
scudding  over mountain peaks,
kissing summits,  caressing valleys.
Breathtaking! blue-streaked
fissures of sky.

Nature senses God’s nearness
enfolding Creation
turning the earth
towards the light and promise
of renewed life

In this cold and icy Winter,
He turns us too.

[Poem by Mr. G ]