And the bird called, in response to The unheard music hidden in the shrubbery, And the unseen eyebeam crossed, for the roses Had the look of flowers that are looked at. There they were as our guests, accepted and accepting. So we moved, and they, in a formal pattern, Along the empty alley, […]
Blog
Portmeirion
Posted on by James Woodward
Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion’s designer, denied repeated claims that the design was based on the town of Portofino, Italy. He stated only that he wanted to pay tribute to the atmosphere of the Mediterranean. He did, however, draw from a love of the Italian village stating, “How should I not have fallen for Portofino? Indeed […]
sunset bird
Posted on by James Woodward
The west was getting out of gold, The breath of air had died of cold, When shoeing home across the white, I thought I saw a bird alight. In summer when I passed the place I had to stop and lift my face; A bird with an angelic gift Was singing in it […]
Powis Castle and Gardens
Posted on by James Woodward
Powis Castle is a medieval castle, fortress and grand country mansion located near the town of Welshpool, in Powys, Mid Wales. The residence of the Earl of Powis, the castle is known for its extensive, attractive formal gardens, terraces, parkland, deerpark and landscaped estate. The property is under the care of the National Trust, who […]
This Moment !
Posted on by James Woodward
Never let yourself think that because God has given you many things to do for Him — pressing routine jobs, a life full up with duties and demands of a very practical sort — that all these need separate you from communion with Him. God is always coming to you in the Sacrament of the […]
Alastair Campbell
Posted on by James Woodward
If anyone has any doubt about the sheer complexity and difficulty of the work of a modern-day Prime Minister then this book and all 730 pages of it should dispel any lingering lack of understanding! It takes us into the heart of the work of government, the handling of the press, the management of a […]
What is Gods name?
Posted on by James Woodward
In Islam there are ninety-nine names for God ~ stopping short of a hundred as if to say, ‘No name is sufficient, and all names together still fail short.’ Here are a few that I especially love: The All-Compassionate The All-Merciful The Pure One The Source of Peace The Inspirer of Faith The Guardian The […]
Conwy Castle
Posted on by James Woodward
Life began in the town that was to become Conwy long before Conwy Castle stood here. Welsh settlers recognised the region as naturally strong because of the large estuary and the abundance of food and the remains of an early fortification can still be found above the town of Deganwy on the opposite bank […]
Finding God?
Posted on by James Woodward
True religion helps us to grow, but pseudo-religion hinders growth, for it creates and maintains obstacles and barriers. Thus it is that much religion merely censors experience and does not liberate it, stifles human potential and does not allow it to blossom. Much religion is superficial and does not help the journey inwards which is […]
Berrington Hall
Posted on by James Woodward
Berrington Hall is a country house located near Leominster, Herefordshire. It is a neoclassical country house building which was designed by Henry Holland in 1778-81 for Thomas Harley. It has a somewhat austere exterior, but the interiors are subtle and delicate. Berrington Hall is home to the Elmar Digby furniture collection, paintings by, amongst […]
The Elizabethans
Posted on by James Woodward
I don’t know what you take away on holiday to read – if anything at all? I enjoy a bit of politics (more of that later) and always at some history.I have had Wilsons the Elizabethans on the shelf for some time and it was one of those books that I had picked up but […]
THE LEGEND OF MELANGELL AND THE HARE
Posted on by James Woodward
The legend of Melangell derives from two seventeenth-century transcript of a lost medieval Life of the Saints. One day a prince named Brochwe was hunting at a place called Pennant His hounds raised a hare that tool refuge in a thicket On pursuit, the prince found a virgin praying, with thE hare hiding under the […]
The Shrine Church of Saint Melangell
Posted on by James Woodward
A hidden place in Wales, where a Celtic saint gave her protection to the hare, Pennant Melangell is situated at the head of the Tanat Valley, not far from Llangynog on the main Oswestry – Bala road. This church is the only one which is dedicated to Melangell. It is an ancient church and the […]
undistracted ?
Posted on by James Woodward
The métier of blossoming If humans could be that intensely whole, undistracted, unhurried, swift from sheer unswerving impetus! If we could blossom out of ourselves, giving nothing imperfect, withholding nothing! From Denise Levertov, The métier of blossoming
Penmon Priory
Posted on by James Woodward
This tranquil location on the eastern tip of Anglesey has remains spanning over 1,000 years. It was the site of a monastery dating back to the time of St. Seiriol, who is believed to have lived in about the 6th century. A holy well which survives may have its origins in this period. In the […]
Prayer
Posted on by James Woodward
prayer Don’t do daily prayers like a bird pecking, moving its head up and down. Prayer is an egg. Hatch out the helplessness that is within. Rumi
Wales: Churches, Houses, Castles
Posted on by James Woodward
On Announcing that I was off to Wales for my summer holiday a well-meaning but I suspect slightly prejudiced enquirer responded: ‘Oh Wales – I’m terribly sorry’! Simon Jenkins offers my first in a short series about holiday books.I’ve had this one on my shelves for a while but it came into its own […]
A Call for to Compassionate Living
Posted on by James Woodward
Thousands of people from all over the world contributed to a draft charter on a multilingual website in Hebrew, Arabic, Urdu, Spanish and English; their comments were presented to the Council of Conscience, a group of notable individuals from six faith traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism), who met in Switzerland in February […]
Cymer Abbey
Posted on by James Woodward
Cymer Abbey is a ruined Cistercian abbey near the village of Llanelltyd, just north of Dolgellau, Gwynedd, in north-west Wales. It was founded in 1158-9 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the patronage of Maredudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd (d. 1212), Lord of Merioneth and grandson of Owain Gwyned and his brother, Gruffudd ap […]
sleeping
Posted on by James Woodward
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you: Don’t go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want: Don’t go back to sleep. People are going in and out of the door where the two worlds touch: The door is right there, look, it’s wide open! Don’t go back to […]