FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD - almost!

 

 

I just craved a few hours in quiet, peaceful,  beautiful surroundings - and found it here. Birdsong, a babbling brook and no-one else in sight. Bliss!

At the side of the ford stood the ruins of an old packbridge and a stone footpath: Benji and I used the footpath but I wouldn't chance my pony and cart on the old bridge! Maybe needs a bit of attention?

What a great playground for children.

The stream is a tributary of the River Inny.

Be there Hobbits about?

After our wander along the stream it was time for a drink and then to relax with my Kindle while Benji had his afternoon nap.

But then - a car pulled up, right at the side of me. Within minutes, several more cars parked on both sides and people jumped out, greeting each other, sharing hugs; children running around and it was PARTY TIME! 

"Who? What? Where? . . . . "

Edward Bear, my camping companion, looked on as boxes and trays of food were ferried between cars and it suddenly became clear that I was right in the middle of a wedding reception. 

The first car contained the bride and groom, in all their wedding finery and their family had joined them in this beautiful spot to comply with the Covid restrictions on numbers of people allowed to gather indoors. Brilliant idea - just a pity that I had chosen that same spot on that particular day.

AWKWARD!

Have you ever tried to remove yourself from such a situation whilst trying to be invisible? 

I withdrew as gracefully as I could, face burning, drove through the ford and parked a few hundred yards further along, behind a huge old oak tree.

I couldn't help thinking that the old tree would have made a splendid background for the wedding photos - but I kept that thought to myself.