Still thinking about the beauty and wild togetherness of Mardi Gras expressed through parades, civic pride, identity, costume, art and music. Truly an amazing thing to behold.

Frosty Ambleside gravestone. Distinctly Victorian and very beautiful. I read that you won’t find many very old graveyards and churches in the Lakes because the area was rather poor and the construction of specific places of worship was not long lasting. One record cites church services in a barn.

Something of a salve to everything that’s happening ever.

Just finished Rivals and this is actual footage of Matt. Absolutely rampaged through this series, it is so good! Being set in our ends adds a touch of joy too.

If anyone was wondering what happened to Trusty the Hedgehog after the National Trust attempted to assassinate him, he has sought refuge in my husband’s childhood bedroom. [Location undisclosed for security reasons.]

Festive friend

Happy Winter Solstice ❄️ 🌞 from our stones to yours.

Tonight’s watch: An interesting glimpse into papal politics that seems authentic to the point of feeling like illicit voyeurism. It presents the Vatican in a manner that reflects a complex system which is riddled with contradictions and scandal, but remains deeply influential and revered by many.

George’s expression accurately sums up my mood at the start of the last week of work before Christmas.

Found a book that sounds perfect and useful but it’s not out until next year. I will therefore sit and wait very politely because I can’t focus on many things at once.

This should be a beefy one.

Ending my weekend with some wise words from the National Museum of Funeral History, Houston.

A tomb in St Mary’s churchyard, Wotton-under-Edge. Mid-1800s, so a little later for skull motifs. Very metal nonetheless.

*A wet and windy day in the Cotswolds*
‘Do you want to go for a walk?’

Here I am on BlueSky. My first post is here to sing the praises of the fabulous @arnosvalecemetery.bsky.social and @chriswoodyard.bsky.social for a fascinating talk on Victorian Mourning. The best Wednesday evening I have had in a long old time.