Thursday, 27 April 2017

Saying goodbye

We were all set to travel to Yorkshire when we heard that our friend in Cornwall had died. But the funeral details were unresolved and, with family scattered, the service might take some time, so we headed north for the Easter weekend. The First Born had booked her train ticket from London many months ago and opportunities for us to be together are rare. Then, of course, the funeral plans quickly came together and we had to rush back down to the south-west.
I like old graveyards, the old-fashioned names and the stories that can be gleaned from reading the headstones. This one in St Ives, as befits a fishing community, has gravestones with a good view out to sea.
Our friend lived further down the coast in a village that had been peopled by tin miners and the church and it's graveyard is set away from the sea with the hills at it's back. The vicar was keen to tell us that David was to be interred in the very last space, after which the graveyard would be closed. It's a lovely place.


The ground was carpeted with a profusion of spring flowers, violets, primroses and bluebells.
The old stone headstones are beautifully carved.


Here's the last plot.
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8 comments:

  1. donna baker27 April 2017 at 12:20

    So sorry about your loss Rosemary. The European graveyards are beautiful and interesting. I've only been to ones in France, but see many in the UK. Glad you were still able to see kids.

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    1. Share my Garden29 April 2017 at 03:13

      We looked around graveyards when we were in New England and found them fascinating. Famous names in Concord and fantastic names on the gravestones in Cape Cod, with flags - something you don't see in Britain.

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  2. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe27 April 2017 at 18:23

    So sorry abou your loss. I love old cemeteries and the stories that are told. Unfortunately, weather and years have somewhat erased many of them. It is nice that your friend will lie amongst those of the ages.

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    1. Share my Garden29 April 2017 at 03:22

      We have been to far too many funerals of family and friends of late, but David had fought, with great good humour, various forms of cancer over the last decade and had really had enough. We shall miss him but we're pleased that he is at rest, and in such a lovely place.
      Many old gravestones have had their surface obliterated by wind and weather but David is placed in a tranquil spot.

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  3. Doc27 April 2017 at 20:25

    Sorry for your loss Rosemary and to have an event like this at the end of a wonderful holiday. I love old cemeteries, they are so fascinating.

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    1. Share my Garden29 April 2017 at 03:25

      The reason for going to Cornwall was expressly to attend David's funeral. We were lucky to find a last-minute booking at a hotel in St Ives during the Easter week. We visited places that David liked. I've written a little piece about him over on Miss Cellany.

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  4. Rain 28 April 2017 at 08:12

    I'm sorry for your loss as well Rosemary, but it is such a beautiful cemetery and a wonderful place for your friend to rest.

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    1. Share my Garden29 April 2017 at 03:26

      Yes, that's just how I feel, Rain, what a perfect place to be at rest.

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