Since Hungerford the internet signal has either been non-existent or not much better so bear with me while I try to catch up!
23rd July still at Great Bedwyn
Taken from our mooring just after 9 am ...
... looking over the village of Great Bedwyn.
The plank is out and we're off to explore ...
... first property we come across is chocolate box perfect!
This street is called Railway Street so I'm assuming they were built for the rail workers - they are quite big and rather handsome with the detailing in the brickwork and on the roof.
We continue up the hill to the village centre ...
... with more thatched cottages and old cars!
Looked like a police station but it's a library ...
... the inscription under the crown and shield reads FUIMUS (Latin for 'we have been') and is connected to the
Bruce family (see link on the pictures of the church)
Not sure if the Stonemason's is also the Post Office or the other way round - see below the pineapple sculpture there is a slate pad and a button which invites you to 'press button to operate fountain' yea yea! although I'd love to be a 'fly on the wall' to see if anyone does - and what happens!
Interesting wording ...
... click to enlarge any of the pictures ...
... costs of repairs to a monument of the 10 commandments
The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin
Looking down the Nave to the Chancel (both original circa 1189) ...
... above the archway to the Crossing is a lion - the symbol of the Ailesbury's
(Marquis of) (
Bruce family) ...
... and the stained glass here has the Bruce family arms in the bottom right corner with the motto FUIMUS
The Bruce Mausoleum
Angels on the Choir Stalls ...
I know - they don't dust very often up here - you can just make out the shape of the lion passant in relief
Crusader Sir Adam de Stokke who died in 1313 ...
... rounded pillars with richly decorated capitals ...
... this one decorated with carvings thought to be the original stonemasons!
In 1866 a reference work states that the parish included a total of 10,420 acres covering 7 hamlets, 435 houses and a population of 2,263.
Another chocolate box cottage as we leave the village and return to R n R via the towpath
Sunset approx 9:30 pm ...
... cooooo ...
Sunday 24th July - sitting on the back deck under the canopy out of the hot sun -
a steam tractor crosses the bridge ...
... and a cricket match is played ...
... although I must say that most of the time they don't seem to be doing much at all!
A good weekend.
Fabulous sunset, and the steam engine is splendid. Looks a lovely village, with some life yet in it!
ReplyDelete