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| The Plague Window in Eyam parish church |
Yesterday, Shirley and I walked from the Derbyshire village of Foolow to Eyam and back again. Eyam is famously known as The Plague Village. In the mid-1660's, under the guidance of The Reverend William Mompesson, the Peak District village put itself into quarantine after the bubonic plague had arrived there from London in a roll of cloth that contained infectious fleas.
An estimated 260 villagers succumbed to The Plague in fourteen months but surrounding communities were unaffected. The self-imposed quarantine was a brave communal act of selflessness.
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| Cottage garden in Eyam |
It was a hot day. The walk between the two villages took just under an hour. After calling in at the parish church, we sauntered along to The Miners Arms for drinks and food. I ordered a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich with a pint of bitter shandy while Shirley had a glass of soda water, carrot and coriander soup and a ham sandwich. This feast was consumed at a shady bench in front of the old pub.
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| On Tideswell Lane |
Then we walked back with the summery temperature now soaring delightfully. How wonderful it was to walk out in shorts and T shirts with unidentified butterflies dancing in the ungrazed meadows of Linen Dale. Along an ancient byway beside crisscrossed limestone walls from behind which sweltering sheep and cattle observed our trek.
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| Five spot burnet moth in Linen Dale |
The walk was in actuality a test as we continue to think about a communal wedding walk the day after Frances marries Stew. People who have never been to this part of the world will be at the wedding and a ramble to The Plague Village with a late Sunday lunch in The Miners Arms might be something they would always remember with affection.
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| Sheep with Bretton Mount beyond |
Could we have more pictures of farm animals please
ReplyDeleteWhich farm animals do you usually prefer Sir Tasker?
DeleteLook at that cottage garden!
ReplyDeleteI am still fascinated by the concept of an after-wedding walk. I just love it.
We may sing jolly songs as we walk along. It all depends on the weather. In England we never know what we are going to get.
DeleteThis sounds like great walk. A communal walk? It sounds like the bird walks I do every Saturday morning. My walks are not tightly controlled so there's lots of going back and forth when people find something of interest.
ReplyDeleteYou need to keep those birders under tighter control Red!
DeleteIt’s so funny that you and I both blogged burnets today. A communal walk sounds like a terrific outing and one that will provide everyone with fond memories. I’m impressed you were walking yesterday — it was hot here and I took it easy!
ReplyDeleteMad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun...and I am both.
DeleteI like the idea of the post nuptial walk, and the pub lunch sounds pretty good too. How is Eyam pronounced? I'm sure it's one of those that catches people out.
ReplyDeleteAs in "dream" JayCee though locals do not mind if folk pronounce it Ee-am.
DeleteThat plague window is so beautiful! I just love stained glass. And what a selfless thing for the villagers to do, cutting themselves off like that for the good of the larger population.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the walk. It will be a lovely memory to look back on!
All we need is dry weather to make the walk happen and for it to be a pleasure.
DeleteOh, how beautiful that cottage garden looks! And I love the pictures of the cow behind the wall and the sheep with the mount in the background.
ReplyDeleteThe walk you and Shirley took sounds like just the perfect thing for the wedding. Not too far or strenuous so that most guests will be physically able to participate, and Eyam is definitely special with its unusual history.
We didn't get to see The Riley Graves this time. You are right that the walk to and from Eyam would not be too strenuous.
DeleteSuch a walk and meal would be delightful, if i ever get a chance to be there.
ReplyDeleteSimple pleasures gild the soul.
DeleteMy only caveat would be to wonder how dressy the wedding is. If women are wearing high heels, walking would hurt. Is the entire walk paved? High heels sink in the grass. I don't know what your dress codes are for afternoon weddings.
ReplyDeleteI am always astonished at how beautiful your part of the world is.
Dear Allison - The wedding will be on a Saturday. The walk will be the following day - Sunday. However, I like the idea of the guests in all their finery tramping across cow fields!
DeleteI suppose you have considered whether the pub will be able to accommodate the number of guests both in seating and in food service? Of course you did :) It sounds like a wonderful idea, a beautiful locale, and the makings of a special memory. When I began reading, I was wondering if this was a test walk, and, lo, so it was!
ReplyDeleteWe have already spoken to the pub's manager about the possibility of our mass arrival... now it's up to Frances and Stewart to decide.
DeleteI love the village history....very Walking dead
ReplyDeleteI guess you went there some time when you lived in Sheffield?
DeleteI'm curious at the curiosity shown by cattle, sheep and goats whenever you pass by. They're not sheepish in showing their interest. From all appearances they love being in the presence of a camera. Just as well they've not learned how to take selfies!!
ReplyDeleteI hope the weather shines brightly for Frances and Stew on their wedding day.
Thank you Lee... And I sincerely believe that the farm animals I pass by mistake me for Dr Dolittle.
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