celebrational landscapes

A  few days ago, there was a gathering to celebrate a loving partnership. Just before we all congregated in the leafy land behind the beach, the neighbours on the terrace decorated the couple’s house as part of the joyful proceedings but mainly to show their care and affection  . . .

. . most of the green and flowering material came from the small front gardens. Dorothy came out to see what was happening and also for some attention . . .

. . how could anyone resist?

The railings were also given a ceremonial outfit . . . vine, rose, fuchsia and alchemilla.

The wooded garden provided a rather magical environment for the event and since it’s discreetly hidden between the beach and the Sea Road, there was a choice to make on the last part of the journey by foot – across the fields climbing over stiles, or along the rough tree lined track or, just simply, along the beach . . .

. . . more and more guests gathered and set up their picnic or viewing space, the kids ran around amongst the trees . . .

 . . .  then the ceremony of the exchange of rings, the reading of poetry by Robert Macfarlane and songs from Sarah – Jane. The Shady Pines sang  ‘Born to be Wild’ – a lovely mix of romanticism and bonhomie – tears and laughter.

Some guests walked along the tracks lined with remnants of old walls to the pools left from the gravel excavation. The pools are lovely to swim in . . .

 . . . and on to the beach across the nature reserves.

So the journey of this event started with decorated facades and moved to shady woodland garden and finally concluded with natural, as far as possible nowadays, coastal shore. Congratulations!!!

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Phenomenal Woman Maya Angelou