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Ooops...another little forgetful moment and Andy's last remaining cricket whites are white no longer...looked at in real life, they are a delicate aquamarine. The trousers are a dainty blush pink (I managed to ruin them last season, they are on the line courtesy of my Beloved to point out the rainbow effect). We have two matches at the weekend, one against West Midlands Police. He may come in for some stick. Or as his Facebook entry today read;
"Andy now has some turquoise grey 'whites' to go with his 'peachy pink' whites, I fear it may be a long weekend in the sledging department."
For those not in the know, sledging is the banter used in the field by teams amongst each other and often aimed at the oppo. It is often obscure, unless you know everyone, and frequently sweary. Especially our lot, Eynsham CC, seen (and heard, at volume) at Stanton Harcourt village last Tuesday night...an apparently 'friendly' match at a neighbouring village...
Oh my! No worries. It happens to everyone. Dh washed his jeans with something red by accident and now every stitch, every light area of his blue jeans are pink. They look like purple jeans and he won't set foot in them! ha
OMG, Gretel..this post brings back memories of when I was experimenting with tie-dying and needed some 100% cotton. The only handy cotton I could find was my two boys underwear. Needless to say they came home from school one day in a fit because they were teased relentlessly when it came time to change in the locker room in their phys ed. class ;-(...haven't done that again!
I thought the trend in cricket was towards multi-coloured pyjamas anyway - I can't recall seeing a 20/20 team wear whites. He could just say he's setting a future trend for village cricket.
I'm thinking maybe he could make a joke of it... get some wild pink shoes or add a crazy flowery something down the side... if he's gonna take a ribbing anyway.... make the most of it.... lol....go Andy!!
If it is any help the Dylon white stuff thing they sell in the super market really really works. I now have very white kids school t-shirts. They were a nice shado of pink and sludge gry before had. Add it to washing maching then BINGO!!
There are some harsh chemicals that would work. I forget what the product is called, but it has a pink lid to the tub and that may well help (being an expert at ruining whites, it's saved me on occassion!).
Dylon Colour Run remover does work. I accidently 'dyed' elderly mother-in-laws white undies a sort of mauve, but dylon saved an international incident.....
I have some Stain grabbers.....you can buy them at the supermarket....I have them as a just in case as (famous last words) I am anal about washing clothes
Ha ha ha...I do this kind of thing all the time, never mind eh! Have changed blogs, MRS is no more, new one Hand and I, have linked you there, go take a little look please dear PG http://swimperis.blogspot.com
THWACK! It's the cheerful slap of leather on willow as we start another cricket season. Last year was frankly miserable, weather wise, but we were blessed last Sunday with near perfect Spring weather, as we opened with a friendly match in Dorchester-on-thames. I love watching cricket, but sometimes six hours or so sat on the boundary can be a little too much. So I sloped off with my camera to investigate the village centre. Dorchester has it's very own Abbey - and on this Sunday afternoon I had the place entirely to myself. It is small, but ancient; there has been a place of worship here since Saxon times, circa 635. The first altar you see on entering, displays some rare 14th century paintings which miraculously survived Cromwell's thugs.
The floors are paved with memorials and burial stones, from the sublime -
- to the sinister...
...this one being the most heart stopping I have ever read.
'Reader! If thou has a Heart famed for Tenderness and Pity, Contemplate this Spot. In which are desposited the Remains of a Young Lady, whose artless Beauty, Innocence of Mind and gentle Manner once obtain'd her the Love and Esteem of all who knew her. But when Nerves were too delicately spun to bear the rude Shakes and Jostlings which we meet in this transitory World, Nature gave way. She sunk and died a Martyr to Excesive Sensibility. Mrs Sarah Fletcher, Wife of Captain Fletcher, departed this Life at the village of Clifton on the 7 of June 1799 in the 29 year of her age. May her Soul meet that Peace in Heaven which this Earth denied her'.
I wondered (as must have so many others) just what 'rude shakes and jostlings' the poor soul had endured, and sent her a kind thought, because she died so young and so lamented. (EDIT - I've found an almost identical photo on Flickr, with the full and tragic story, here).
Every pew displayed an exquisitely colour co-ordinated set of kneelers and the still Sunday afternoon air was drenched with the heavy scent of lilies from elaborate displays. Quietly I wandered into the Shrine Chapel, where a thirteenth century Crusader knight lies, not on his back in pious prayer, but unusally poised for battle action.
Here too is the shrine to the founder, St Birinus, with bright carvings hidden in the upper niches
The Chancel and the East window are spectacular, but too grandiose for my taste. I prefer the simplicity of stone and paint.
Outside, the sweetest of cottages, sitting slightly wonkily behind the gravestones.
I headed back to the ground, my peaceful touristing done, and returned to a rather more earthly entertainment.
As usual I came prepared with the bare necessities and some work.
It was the first properly warm day of the year and in my sheltered corner I kept half an eye on our chaps, while getting on with the penguins. We won. Andy was 57 not out. He acknowledged his half century with a modest twitch of the bat.
If only it stays this way for the rest of the season.
32 Comments on Dorchester away, last added: 5/17/2009
Oh My Heavens! Thank you for the tour. Here in the states "old" refers to the turn of the previous century. Nothing at all here remains from the 14th century, well, because no one was here save the Indians. The Abby and grave markers and cottage are spectacular. And I am glad to see you had such pleasant bits and bobs to entertain you during a six hour cricket game. (You know, American baseball games are about two hours -- I'm still considering whether that's a plus or a minus.)
"Excessive Sensibility" poor dear......What a little funny face in the saint's tomb!! I love the smell of those old abbeys and churches. Happy Spring, hope your good weather continues.
This household too reveolves around the cricket season though my DH is a spectator not a player. He travels all round England watching cricket in the summer! Dorchester Abbey is beautiful, I shall be in Dorset in May so shall make sure I visit and see for myself. Those kneelers are really exquisite. And well done Andy - 57 not out is a really good start to the season for him.
It was a beautiful day, and such a beautiful way to spend it. I, like others thank you for the tour...it is a beautiful Abbey, and one I will try to explore in reality at sometime. I'm glad your sensibility was to your surroundings and not jostled as that much loved young lady's. Though I'm not involved directly with the cricket in the village in which I live...cricket is a heartbeat in it, and congratulations for the fifty seven...a good start to the season. Our next move hasn't that sound...but we do look over the church...
What a find that Abbey is - just beautiful, I too love the simplicity and age of the stone. and oh be remembered in such a poetic way (althouh I will do without the 'rude shakes and jostlings' thank you very much')
I would love to take that cottage and put it in my cottage - or even live in it - yes that would do very well indeed. Glad you have been enjoying the wonderful weather!! This is probably our 'summertime'!
I have just browsed through and will be back tomorrow for a proper read. All that I can say at this point is that your lovely pictures of such beautiful spots grant me peace right now when I need that. I'll be off to bed soon and your images will take me safely and comfortingly into the night.
Such serenity in the Abbey and in your description of the day. Thank you. I do worry about excessive sensibility as a cause of death, what can one do to prevent it?
I just spotted the ball in that first picture!!!! Well done Andy!
The shades of colour in the church are beautiful. I'm inspired to visit my local church now in day light to see what it actually looks like inside, instead of going in the dark to see the windows!
The perfect day. I should think the poor knight is a bit uncomfortable... to spend eternity in such a pose. Thanks for the lovely tour. I am off now to read more of the poor sensitive soul lying beneath the stone floor.
And on a shallow note, ... I love your leather bag!!!
wonderful glimpse of your world today..thank you Gretchen, once again for your curious mind. :-) and I mean that in the sense of looking for adventure and stories and wonderment not as in ..hmmm, strange.:-)
What bliss to visit such a restrained, quiet church with you. Poor Sarah did have rather a rough time of it. Novel- worthy but sad, sad, What contrasts there are in our worlds. So glad your cricketing chaps still wear whites. The multi-colored tour de FRance look is too depressing.
Enjoyed attending the cricket match via your photos and wandering into the village with you to explore the Abbey...I too, would have brought work and found in a shady spot for 6 hours is a long time! Looked like a lovely day!
What a lovely way to spend a day and a great opportunity to get the pingwins finished. The story of poor Sarah Fletcher was very tragic and could be from a Kate Rusby song. Thanks for sharing it. (Oakmoon acres made me smile)
So love all of those abbey photos (for some reason, skeletons/skulls in churches just tickle me happy). I love the sense of history and people and place - that is ongoing. Mmmmmmm.....
I also meant to say, if you every get to visit Rochester Cathedral in Kent, look very carefully at the stone pillars...there you can see scratching (faces), and they are the marks left after all the high decoration and painting were removed. Although they are beautiful soft plain stone pillars now, they were once highly decorated and extravagant.
What an interesting tour and such a sad story of Sarah. I love reading gravestones (abit morbid I know) but I'm so fascinated with each one and love to imagine who the people were, how they lived etc. Thanks for sharing.
Ah, Gretel, I don't know how to thank you for your amazing posts. With your pictures and your words you allow me to travel and share this experience with you. You're a very good chronicler! Thanks to your curiosity I'm knowing part of your History. I love old places too, and I'm always wondering how was life at that time. I'm going to check flickr's link to know more about the young lady's story.
There was a time in the dim, distant past when I could get a new toy made in a couple of days...oh happy Land of Faraway! Now I am reduced to scrimping time, as a mouse hoards cheese rind, and my toys are fussed over in odd moments. Poor Grey Goosie, born on the edge of a cricket match, has taken longer than most. I do have orders...but I have to have one of my own going at the same time. Just - because.
Actually, Grey Goosie is now a fully fledged cricket expert - she has visited quite a few over the weeks, and was a great help at the last home match. She made sure the fielders were in the right place -
She helped Andy bowl at the oppo -
She helped lay out the tea - although she didn't make it (well, she is only small and a sandwich is so large to a toy goose).
She even made sure the umpire was keeping score properly -
She is also a bit of a real ale buff now, and enjoyed some Wadworth 6x while looking after Andy's bat.
And later, when both teams retired to the Queen's Head, she said a respectful hello to old Hobbs, the pub cat.
So although she has taken weeks to finish, I think she is the most educated of all my toys.
Pleased to see that the cantankerous Hobbs didn't savage her!! Another PG triumph!! I love your felt animals...have you considered seeing if the Emporium will take them???
Hi Sue, I didn't let her get THAT close! I'm not really looking for shop outlets right now, as I seem to be selling them fine on my own accord so far, and shops always want a large percentage. Unless it was Liberty of course!
Unlike Andy, who from his form appears quite adept at the game, I know nothing about cricket except that it's played outdoors, involves a ball and bat, and white clothing. I do know that is one cute goose! Congratulations on another wonderful creation! It's as though you fashion little felt souls, they have so much personality and heart.
A total delight to read and grey goose is lovely. You are so talented and ingenious ... inspiring, really! (Liberty should definitely take her and many more like her).
Ah, there seem to be a distinct lack of females at the matches nowadays, apart from faithful old me, else I might have...I was kind of hoping to! The chaps are torn between indifference and bafflement, with a slight element of curiosity as to the method. Men/felt toys - don't mix!
She's truly gorgeous - good job she was sitting down to have her ale. Giggled at the thought of blokes' curiosity about felt toys, huh! (Though some of them have nice buns!)
Just returned from the vet. Our gander, Jo has a touch of the stiffness in his right foot, bless. He is on some medication though so we'll see how he goes.
Grey Goosie is very lovely indeed. I ought to know about cricket but don't. Such a very slow and English passtime/sport which looks super indeed. I can actually understand baseball.
OMG, you are a clever girl. This post is brilliant, and your Grey Goosie is enchanting. I love cricket, I used to watch them play at the Cricket Club around the block from me in Hong Kong. Your photos are wonderful. Karen
Anonymous said, on 7/30/2008 2:49:00 PM
I do love Grey Goosie, she is a sweetheart! Very excited to see a pic of handsome old Hobbs... Freda still remembers her old friend and their jaunts to catch goldfish from the neighbour's pond-those were the days. Mxxxxxx
Hello PG, that goosie is quite astonishing ... great character. She deserved to have a story written about her adventures at the cricket.
(I have just begun to read, and now have had to return to my lovely library, a book called Netherland. Set in NY post 9/11. Cricket features in it. I so look forward to once again being notified that I may check it out and read some more.)
Great cricket shots! I love that they still play in whites. I was so disappointed to see the Oxford players, even the college teams, in colorful nylon and spandex. It just didn't have the same charm.
Your felted toys are gorgeous!!!! And now Grey Goose has gotten so smart too!!! And thanks for showing us the cricket match -- it seems more civilized and pleasanter than our baseball.
Grey Goosie is an adorable toy as well as being educated. She is so well traveled that it makes her extremely special. I'm so glad to hear that you can still work on toys even though you're up to your eyeballs in watercolors.
She's GORGEOUS and fabulous and wonderful and a joy to look at over and over. My but she's a clever wee goose!! I just love seeing these creations you create, it's a marvel you decided "I think I'll needle felt" and voila....genius pours out. How silly of me to be so surprised though, knowing that mind of yours is a whirl of ideas and imagination! XOXOXO
The characters - Head Monkey Grey Goosie Wise Monkey Custard The Great Stabber (unseen and unheard, but definitely there) anda rather grumpy bottle of beer who becomes more subdued as the scene progresses.
The scene - A Sunday cricket match in a rather chilly June. We are near the boundary, listening to the assorted shouts of exasperated bowlers and cheering team mates. The dying sun casts long shadows across the field as the match draws to a close. If we listen carefully, we can just hear a whispered conversation coming from a small group of friends...
Custard - 'Is that our chap out there bowling?' Wise Monkey - 'I think so - hard to tell from here, they look the same from a distance, and all dressed in white.'
Grey Goosie - 'Can someone tell me who I am, where am I and why I am please? I'm only two hours old.' Head Monkey - 'You are a mere babe! We saw you being created by the Great Stabber. You are at a cricket match and your name is Grey Goosie.' Grey Goosie 'What is cricket? Who is the Great Stabber? Why? How? When?'
(momentary distraction as attention reverts to the match)
Head Monkey - 'Oh good running sir!' Custard - 'I wish I could run like that, but alas, I am legless' Bottle of Beer 'Well don't blame me! I didn't ask you to stick your great yellow snout into my neck!' Wise Monkey - 'Calm down, Beer, he meant legless as in legless, not as in legless. But then, you are a rather fine specimen of Fiddler's Elbow, so you must expect to bedrunk, if you pardon the pun.'
(The bottle of beer subsides, grumbling, then squeaks as it is plucked from its resting place. When it returns, it is somewhat quieter).
Grey Goosie - 'So why are we here? What are we doing? Who are you all?' Custard - 'Well I am waiting for my legs, then I will be going to my new home. I have heard that she is a lovely, gentle lady who lives in a magical palace filled with wondrous materials and treasures.' Head Monkey - 'I have been waiting for the rest of my body for weeks...I am destined to travel far across the ocean to sunny climes' (he shivers as a breeze cuts across the field) 'and not before time - this country is far too cold for a monkey. I have heard that my new mistress is a talented artist who creates delightful books for children. I am to be her special toy, all her own. I would jump for joy, except I am only a head...' Wise Monkey - 'And you have been made in my image. I belong to the Great Stabber. Before that I belonged to her father, and he brought me from a far hotter country than you are destined for. Although I too am missing some limbs, I am very old, and one of her prized possessions.' Grey Goosie (breaking in impetuously) - 'What about me? What about me? Where am I going? Who will love ME? More importantly, why haven't I got a proper grown-up beak?'
(There is a startled gasp from the beer bottle as yet again it is lifted from the table top, to a mysterious Somewhere high above their heads).
Wise Monkey - 'Oh impatient youth! Barely three hours old and already seeking the answer to everything. For every creature there is a home. It is written in the stars' Custard - 'We have heard tell of Mavis, who stayed on the toy shelf for many weeks, but at last found a home and flew hundreds of miles to live with a fairy artist. She even laid an egg on her journey. You will find your Someone, one day. When there's a bit more of you.' Head Monkey (grumpily) - 'I wish there was a bit more of ME!' Wise Monkey - Now hush, my children, the sun is sinking and the wind is gathering...let us snuggle into our basket and I will tell you stories of toys who were found, and we will dream...'
(As the curtain descends on the drowsy scene, the beer bottle is heard gurgling emptily off-stage, before silence falls, disturbed only by tiny snores emanating from the sewing basket).
25 Comments on Overheard at the boundary, last added: 7/4/2008
This is fabulous, I enjoyed it ever so much. Much welcome lifting break from writing student evaluations;-)...!!!!!! Back to work laughing ( guess that would be BTWL). Oh, love looking at your work in progress.....
Awww what a lovely story... And great creations. I didn't realize how big they are until now. It must have costed a lot of effort to felt so nicely such big pieces.
This is my first read of a children's story that has beer as a character! I loved it. How goes the illustrations? I see you are still finding time for stabbing! Jen
Oh, Gretel..I just love this story, a lovely mix of funny and sweet and winsome. I definitely would leave the beer in. What a great way for me to start my day. Thanks.
Oh the joys of the full moon and what it does to people. And toys. I like the sound of that beer, Fiddler's Elbow, looks like one we haven't tried yet! :D
Oh I do love your stories Gretel :) You write them so well... How about some bendy wire in these fellows so that they can be stop-frame animated into a little series?! It is a rather chilly June isn't it? Hugs xx
What a great story!! So, what do they do next? And does Grey Goosie ever achieve enlightenment? And, and, and what's the Wise Monkey's tale? Eh? What do you mean it's ended? :-o
Waaaaaaahhhhhhhh! Wanna 'notha story! Sniff...
Thanks for another wonderful day brightener, Gretel. Your stories are lovely.
The Wise Monkey's silhouette and long shadow in the first picture set an almost melancholy tone for the metaphysical musings of your wonderfully-named creations. I realize that your imagination plays a large part in the design and creation of your critters, and now I see that they all take on bits of their creator's personality. The Great Stabber is the best name of all!
I agree, these characters would be lovely in a childrens book, I think photographed rather than illustrated. I hope you are getting on well with your commercial work. P.x
Ah, this was great fun to read. I love the Wise Monkey - the beer bottle made some hilarious comments... lucky little people who get to go to new homes. Poor grey goose ... reminded me of the goslings in the park. A few weeks ago they were tiny little yellow balls and now they are getting huge.
This really would make a wonderful children's story!
I think you need to write as well as all your other talents! I'm loving custard - even without his legs! I just posted a new tale of felting disaster ... I tried that wet felting ... it was a M-E-S-S! I think I will try just the needles next time! I hope you are well - Rachael x
We just started a Paul Rand fan group on Flickr. As of this writing we only have 12 members. Surely there are more then 12 people who appreciate one of the greatest graphic designers of all time! Its good wholesome fun! Bring your whole family. Show all the little ones why Mommy keeps stealing their copy of Sparkle and Spin.
Oops! But at least you got any grass stains out!
Isn't cricket the game of gentleman? ;)
Will he wear them anyway????? Maybe a good bleaching???? Good luck!!!!
Good lord, you can't bleach them, they'd turn out even worse! He will have to wear them anyway, poor boy.
I'm with you on this one. My son frequently went to school with slightly pink PE kit. Made a man of him, I reckon(not sure he'd agree though)....
Oh my! No worries. It happens to everyone. Dh washed his jeans with something red by accident and now every stitch, every light area of his blue jeans are pink. They look like purple jeans and he won't set foot in them! ha
OMG, Gretel..this post brings back memories of when I was experimenting with tie-dying and needed some 100% cotton. The only handy cotton I could find was my two boys underwear. Needless to say they came home from school one day in a fit because they were teased relentlessly when it came time to change in the locker room in their phys ed. class ;-(...haven't done that again!
Hahaha! Yaaay, I'm not the only one who does this ;)
~ER~
I thought the trend in cricket was towards multi-coloured pyjamas anyway - I can't recall seeing a 20/20 team wear whites. He could just say he's setting a future trend for village cricket.
Imagine my surprise to come upon a cricket match in the US! They seemed pretty competent (well, to me . . .)
I'm thinking maybe he could make a joke of it... get some wild pink shoes or add a crazy flowery something down the side... if he's gonna take a ribbing anyway.... make the most of it.... lol....go Andy!!
I was just thinking what BumbleVee said, just go for it...add some sequins or rhinestones down the seams!
If it is any help the Dylon white stuff thing they sell in the super market really really works. I now have very white kids school t-shirts. They were a nice shado of pink and sludge gry before had. Add it to washing maching then BINGO!!
Good luck!!
Should re read and not type so fast!! Sorry about all the spelling mistakes.
At least you manage to dye the laundry in pastels (instead of dingy gray); it must be the artist in you!
So cricket gets a bit "sweary," eh?
I suggest you offer to do the team wash and throw a red sock in. Then they'll all be the same.
Maybe the other team will think it's something wrong with their vision....
As a veteran involuntary clothes dyer, I sympathise! I agree with Poppy Cottage though, that Dylon stuff works wonders.
I am glad to hear that we are not the only household to have washing problems!
Penny.
x
Here in the U.S. the Rit Dye Company makes a product called Rit Color Remover. I wonder if it would do the trick on Andy's cricket whites.
Ohhh tell Andy he looks dashing! My sweetie actually likes pink...LOL
(())
Hello PG, and thank you for contributing to my cricket education, the backstage part.
Think that Andy is tall and a good player, and his ... do you call them teams, are delighted that he is one of theirs.
Surely, others on that field (is field the correct term) might just have tinted whites. Makes it so much more interested for the assembled fans.
I really do love your cricket reports.
Thanks for your comment re the Miss R books. Are there still any village schools still around? Probably not.
xo
There are some harsh chemicals that would work. I forget what the product is called, but it has a pink lid to the tub and that may well help (being an expert at ruining whites, it's saved me on occassion!).
I love the cactus story :)
Kim x
*giggle*
(Sorry)
My mom once tinted my six brothers' white Sunday shirts pink. I still see them on the line, out there in the snow. It was a catastrophe back then.
Dylon Colour Run remover does work. I accidently 'dyed' elderly mother-in-laws white undies a sort of mauve, but dylon saved an international incident.....
I have some Stain grabbers.....you can buy them at the supermarket....I have them as a just in case as (famous last words) I am anal about washing clothes
Ha ha ha...I do this kind of thing all the time, never mind eh!
Have changed blogs, MRS is no more, new one Hand and I, have linked you there, go take a little look please dear PG
http://swimperis.blogspot.com
I'm sure Andy looked very fetching in his pink & blue ensemble!