Happy June 1st everyone ! It's good to be home to St. Ives after a three week holiday in America. I'm back just in time to bathe in the lovely temperate, summer sunshine - let's hope we get more of the yellow rays this year as the last two summers have not felt like the season should be. I happened to experience a wicked 106 degree -41 Celsius whilst in Phoenix, Arizona - Lordy Mama !! And that's nothing - Phoenix can see temps well into 46 Celsius and beyond. I know I complain about the cold, damp weather of England, but 106 and above is too much for me ! Yes - a walk along the green, wooded countryside is just what this Prairie needed. And so "over the river and through the woods" to Holywell we will go !! There and back - Holywell, is about a five mile walk from St. Ives. Along the way, I passed by the Ivo Lakes - is this not the most gorgeous lake ?
Now I know that all villages and towns have the old historic church, but Holywell, has one of the most serene and dearest churches I've ever come across. It is a church with special character about it. Plant me there please - under one of those tall, shading trees ! Right next to that fat cow in the meadow.
The road that follows the river has some very pretty cottages and flower gardens !
I saw this purple house - not so pretty or amusing - just a bit of a surprise really. Wonder if there was a special sale on purple paint that week. Don't they have laws against this in England ? Everyone who likes this purple house, please send me an email telling me why. Right outside the purple house was a post box in dire need of paint restoration - see it there mounted on the green post ?
Here are some of the houses I saw along the way to the pub. I'm so ready for that beer now !
I love how this house seems to peek out over the hedge line.
Not sure if this is the age of the house or the simply the house number. Notice the teeny, tiny window ?!
First a purple house then this pink one ! Adorable.
At last !! The Ferry Boat Inn is said to be one of England's most haunted pubs and also listed in the Domesday Book. Supposedly the pub is haunted by the spirit of a broken-hearted young girl. Beer please !
Walking towards the fields that lead back to St.Ives, I had to glance back and take one last look back at that little stone church. The fat cow I like so much is in the grassy area right behind that majestic willow tree.
What is a perfect day ? My definition would be: walking the pastoral meadows of England, sunshine smiling down on your face and a very cold beer ! Does not get much better than this.
Thanks for reading Prairie !