Friday 12 October 2012

SEASONAL ~ Let there be light



Littlecote Woods, Berkshire

I love the light in England this time of year. As foilage brightens the days begin and end in a twilight world. It is my favourite hour of the day. The light plays tricks with you, casting an ethereal glow over the landscapes. It makes everything seem as if it is in the distance, just out of reach. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by so much magic. Sometimes it is like living in an illuminated manuscript.

Windows of old cottages, manor houses and religious buildings have always enchanted me. New glass has nothing in common with glass that has aged.  It has a special muted quality, a soft focus.

Windows from The Bell, Ramsbury and  Littlecote House

I have an inquisitive mind (curiosity killed the cat!) and cannot resist looking in as I walk past a window where the curtains are not drawn. Often the owners provide little vignettes to snare our interest. Looking at windows from the outside gives a glimpse into the life of those who lived or are living in a house.

The delightful  'frog' window in Hungerford, Berkshire, and antique china illuminated by lamp light in Aldbourne, Wiltshire

Windows in Chilton Foliat, Berkshire


Looking at the world outside through an old glass window frames the world in a different way than when seen from the ground. 


Looking out at the beautiful views from Littlecote House

Not everything in life that we desire costs a lot of money. This Mintons tea cup is one of our favourite items, collected from a charity shop in Hungerford for truly next to nothing. It was created sometime in the years between 1873 and 1912 which makes it over 100 years old and possibly 140. It wears it's age well despite a crack which has been crudely glued by a previous owner anxious to save the cup. But not for use, simply because it is so very very beautiful. 

No tea pours through it these days, but the light still does. The china is so fine that it is translucent. The hand painted decoration is exquisite. 

When I look at it I am grateful to Mintons for creating it, to whoever it was who did not throw it away when it was broken and to that person who still loved it enough to hope that by giving it to charity it would find a new owner to cherish it. And we do. 



Exquisite fine china Mintons tea cup, broken but it's beauty undimmed

22 comments:

  1. those pics are wonderful, the light of fall and this part of the UK ... what an amazing couple!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by, glad you enjoyed our little part of the world. Minerva x

      Delete
  2. Beautiful post ... the little things ... the important things ...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes, lovely post and you are so right about the light at this time of year, which is my own personal favourite. Little things make all the difference even down to leaves falling around me as they did yesterday when I was out and it was such a simple pleasure! I've just looked at your etsy shop and now I'm off back to have a proper look! I'll add you to my circle. x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Update, silly me, I was looking at your favourite items! I've still addded you to my circle though. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting. Good to 'meet' you! We must find time to add some Christmas items to our Etsy shop, so far we buy FAR more than we sell there. (shameful!) Minerva x

      Delete
  5. Hello,Lovely ,lovely post...
    I agree to peeking a little into peoples life's, via there windows, especially at this cosy time of year...
    Loved your earlier post too, especially Mr Fox, how wonderful you caught him on camera only!!
    Wishing you a enchanting week Mrs black ******
    love Maria x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You too Maria! It is enchanting this time of year isn't it?

      We loved Mr Fox too, he and his family lived very near us and we had the pleasure of watching them often.
      Minerva x

      Delete
  6. A beautiful time of year. It's hard not to peep into windows that look as inviting as you have posted above. What a beautiful little tea cup, I can see how translucent it is and what a lovely pattern! Have a lovely weekend. Sharonx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sharon, Good to see you here!
      Catch up soon. Minerva x

      Delete
  7. Dear Minerva,
    those beautiful pictures of windows are really fine - they remind me a bit of 'Brambly Hedge'. I collect with the camera glimpses through windows from inside out - everything changes with such a frame.
    The light in autumn is exquisite - as the porcelain cup.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brigitta, I love all of your collections too - : ~ )
      Minerva x

      Delete
  8. Lovely post! Your photos are so beautiful. :) I really want to take a stroll down that lane and feast on the wonderful light. And i too have sort of a love affair going with old windows. Each unique and frame the world in such a fascinating way. Have a great weekend 'over there'!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You have captured the time of year beautifully - Love the shots through the windows, and also your background of Autumn Leaves by John Everett Millais, a favourite of mine.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great pictures and I just love the first one with the beautiful light. Have a nice saturday.

    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pretty! I love the glow of windows and I like to imagine happiness within!
    Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful post. I too love windows and especially looking out of my office one which is a medieval building looking over towards a cathedral. I often think of how many people in times gone by have done the same. When the nights draw in and the spotlights switch on, I am taken back in time. XX

    ReplyDelete
  13. The window photos are delightful and that tea-cup...oh my goodness.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, I love the archway of trees, Mrs Black!
    Another wood I need to add to my list of places to visit. The old windows are beautiful and the cup is so pretty with the delicate flowers.
    Happy autumn to you and see you again soon! ;-)

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love stained glass windows, too :)
    If they just weren't so difficult to photograph. The end result never seems to do it justice :(

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...