This week, I write from Edinburgh, having arrived after three quiet, restful days in Southport. There’s a festival on here , but you’d never know it here in the suburbs. My stay in Northants was longer than originally planned. With the change in location came a change in schedule, which disrupted sleep yet again. I’d hoped to get all sorts of things done – sewing, knitting, cleaning, photo editing – but in the end only got through some necessary paperwork.
I did fit in one walk, however, and ambled up to the nearby village of Gayton. The walk is along an ancient right of way, up the hill and through the fields. One year, golden wheat was waving and rustling in the field. This year, it was the solid green of broad beans, occasionally enlivened by a dab of red poppies. I went through the village to the ancient church. There had been a wedding that morning; confetti was swirling in the breeze, captured by spiderwebs on the church gate. The church didn’t seem to be open, I had to be satisfied examining the exterior more closely. The top mouldings of the windows were terminated by faces:
Did you know that the Olympics also included the arts? I hadn’t a clue. Between 1912 and 1948, 146 medals were awarded in the categories of architecture, literature, music, painting, and sculpture. Two talented individuals won medals in both the arts and athletics Olympics: Walter Winans, a gold for shooting in 1908, and a gold for sculpture in 1912; and Alfréd Hajós, two golds for swimming in 1896, and a silver for architecture in 1924.
And ‘clue’. I recently read the origin of the word on another knitter’s blog, and it was both enlightening and surprising. The meaning we use most doesn’t need explanation, but one of its meanings, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is: “A ball of thread, employed to guide a person in ‘threading’ his or her way into or out of a labyrinth or maze; hence, in many more or less figurative applications, a fact, circumstance, or principle which, being taken hold of and followed up, leads through a maze, perplexity, difficulty, intricate investigation, etc.”. Indeed, “clue” is still in use today with its meaning of ‘ball of yarn’, particularly in Scotland and the north of England.
One last item of interest – congratulations to RSPB Forsinard for being granted UNESCO World Heritage status. It’s the first peat bog in the world to be awarded such status. Well done to them.
The clue to the Gansey content of this week’s blog is apparent in the photo. Alas, no progress whatsoever has been made this week. Between lack of sleep and, erm, following up clues in paperwork, there wasn’t much left in the tank for knitting. I promise to do better next week.
Thank you for continuing this combination travelog and knitting journal. I love reading the little snippets of daily ramblings (the walking kind as well as the talking kind). But please don’t apologise for knitting progress – it’s supposed to be a joy, not a burden. I’m also in a season where the needles must take second place but the only way through is to knuckle down and get it done so I can get back to what I’d rather be doing!