About Me

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here I am in a little cottage that evokes the energies of my ancestral lands - a cottage on the moors of Cornwall, or on the cliff tops of Ireland or Scotland. It has a hearth. I am a hedge witch {of sorts}. I wear upcycled clothes, patchouli oil and Redback boots. I am a gypsy; an eccentric and a mystic [I often live with a foot in two worlds]. I serve my guests, tea from an old silver teapot. I love Vervain, yarrow, chamomile & mint. Star watcher and Moon gazer. story cloth weaver. keeper of family dreams and wishes. good friend and creator of life. herbal tea drinker and potion maker.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Truro

today, we decided to go Christmas shopping and sight seeing, to the capital of Cornwall. Truro.
I needed a break from emotional visits and searching.. and I thought a visit to the city, a look at the christmas shop windows and decorations would help me some.
Arriving mid morning, we found a car park and surprisingly this was one where you paid after you left.. instead of the usual ridiculous pay and display that is so common here.. we had an armful of packages and postcards to send home so our first stop was the post office [after a cup of tea, of course!]

then we went to the Cathedral for a visit.
The Mother Church of Cornwall.
 The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

each time that I visit a church [or cathedral], I am amazed to find a Christmas tree in each of them... something that is not common at home.

prayer candles. and of course, I love to light them for my loved ones and friends and myself.. a small donation, then you light a candle from another that is already lit. the flame continuing on those prayers from people and times past. a lovely thought.
[this is an Anglican church.. with candles.. not common at home especially in an Anglican church and becoming less common in a Catholic church.. sad.. something to do with insurance.. and those ridiculous push button electric candles just do not do it for me, nor do they have the sacred feel that real candles do.. but that is modern day spirituality. a big loss in my opinion]

and Mother Mary.. another common sight in Anglican churches here.. beautiful.
this one - the Sorrowful Mother... really shows the sadness of Mary on the death of her son... something that most mothers feel in their heart at times.. and I for one, find solace in Mary at times of sadness regarding my own children.. carved by monks in the 14th century. the detail of the tears on Mary's face is exquisite.

Icon of The Virgin of Tenderness. I love these icons. they are absolutely beautiful

i have had a connection to Mary for many years now. something that will always be with me [and looking at this picture, I have put on quite abit of weight..might need some help from the Blessed Mother with eating less scones I think!]

the cathedral is full of beauty.

the advent wreath. this actually tore at my heart.. because it reminded me of a ritual that i do at home at this time of year.. creating my own advent wreath in my home and lighting the candles.

our tour over, we went outside to have a look at some shops and then lunch. Not being that hungry, we found a little tea shop and ordered a cup of tea and a sandwich. I felt like a little old lady, having that cup of tea, in the city with christmas gifts to buy. all that was missing was my hat and gloves!!

I was expecting to find the shop windows decorated like they do in Sydney.. this being a city.. but was disappointed.. no nativity windows, no christmas story windows. no nutcrackers.

Marks and Spencer. where I did a little more shopping and tried on some more hats.. and finally bought a beautiful box to put my red velvet dress in .. now all I need is to buy myself a lovely card to go with it. and it will be a gift from me to my inner little girl on Christmas day..

we bought some pasties for dinner and then headed off home.. tonight, an easy dinner and watching a Christmas movie.



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5 comments:

  1. Debra She Who SeeksDecember 18, 2012 at 12:12 AM

    A beautiful church! I'm interested in your description of the "original" Truro -- here in Canada we have a small city called Truro too, in the maritime province of Nova Scotia. I wonder if it was settled by Cornish immigrants?

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  2. spiritDecember 18, 2012 at 4:55 PM

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  3. spiritDecember 18, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    Hi, i've been following you journey ...i have found when travelling that it is the unexpected places that i found peace and had spiritual experiences. I too love the christmas trees in church ...our village church in the peak district looks great with the different organisations chhristmas trees . Sadly not many shopswindows nor shops are decorated as they use to be in the past ...i think it is because there is concern about offending other religions . enjoy the rest of youy journey ...my partner is from Cornwall .

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  4. AnonymousDecember 18, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    Yes, we have a Truro in South Australia too - I'm sure it is to do with the Cornish immigrants, as it is not far from Kapunda and Burra where they mined.
    A delightful post Robyn - such a beautiful church - and yes, I find the electric candles a let-down and insulting to our well-intentioned act of praying in a right frame of mind- so pleased this beautiful cathedral at Truro has not 'succumbed'.

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  5. Lynne-AussieDecember 18, 2012 at 9:08 PM

    beautiful photos of the church statues and icons, I miss all these in our Anglican churches here, I have my own little collection of religious statues that I love to look at.

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