When a new day dawns... Chapter 2.

     Night had descended still cold & bleak although it was late into the spring. Most of the inhabitants of Chillon castle had left the hall where a fire burned quietly after a late supper. A few slept to one side after a meal of roasted meat, hunted in nearby woods. Bread made in the kitchens had been dipped in gravy accompanying platters of meat & a few side dishes. Crumbs still littered the trestle tables as servants cleared them of remaining residue. A few rush lights lit the hall from sconces nestled in the side walls, throwing a soft glow around the room.
     Matilda awoke with a start, the room dim, alien in the early morning, the night filling every space. Memories flooded back with all she had experienced on her short journey into the unknown. Alone she had made a bid for freedom whilst living in the castle, the only home she could remember in her young life. 
      The  room seemed to creak & groan around where she had slept. The walls seeped with a cold iciness as she closed her eyes to block it out. Somewhere in the castle faint noises echoed through her mind. The morning was far beyond the mountains, still snow-clad at their highest peaks. They rose majestic, almost foreboding, their jagged cliffs & ruggedness sweeping low down towards the lake. The castle jutted out into its depths as water lapped around the base, spreading far & wide.
     Matilda's thoughts paused as she wondered why she now slept in a different room. It was difficult to remember all the recent events & grimaced with the failure they had brought. Upon return to the castle, she had become strangely disorientated & feeling unwell, was put to bed after dark with a tiredness that eventually overcame her. As she lay there, certain strange feelings flooded her thoughts. She tried to reason, returning where she had paused beside the lake, after consuming some bread & cheese. Unfortunately, she had become engrossed with the beauty of her surroundings, the mountains reaching from afar, spilling down to the lake. The freedom of the birds had captivated her, their flight soaring high into the air above, but her presence had become obvious, she had left herself open to discovery too easily.
     She had been so unconcerned with discovery then. Surely it would have been more sensible to have stayed within the confines of the wood where she had paused to eat. That, at least would have given a certain amount of protection...but, she thought, not for an indefinite time. Sooner or later detection would have been apparent.
     Her thoughts rambled on in the soft morning light of the room. She lay there a short while longer reminiscing, remembering the sense of freedom that had completely engulfed her. The air had smelt sweet mesmerizing her senses. Hardly had she watched the flight of birds before in quite the way she had that day. How they had flown free of the branches, rising high into the blue sky chirping noisily, before swooping, then rising again. Matilda closed her eyes & was lost to it. Flowers had grown near the edge of the lake... she was back there now, dotted about her in a soft pink, white ones mingled amongst the grass. She had bent down & picked one as the water turned silver, the sun rising & spreading its fingers across the surface. It was enchanting, a feeling like being in a trance.
     But why, she thought, do I remember the master himself? That feeling had returned several times. Pierre had been in charge of the search party, astounding her, memories of that day filling her consciousness. She had ridden in front of him on his horse returning to the castle, a strange feeling overcoming her. Matilda fingered the pendant around her neck. It had been given to her when very young by a tallish gentleman with dark hair similar to her own. Those memories were hazy & it was difficult to remember the man from her childhood. She had been brought up mainly in the company of servants until now. 
     Matilda's eyes were a deep brown, her figure trim which had developed over the past year, remaining slender with the life required of her. Her thoughts drifted on a few more moments, puzzling over returning to the castle in the company of Pierre. A distinct feeling was overcoming her, events of long ago flooding into her mind, but not able to see clearly days from her childhood experienced so far back.
     Matilda rose from her small bed, her long dark hair loosely braided falling forward as she quickly pulled her cloak & hood around her in the early morning chill. She bent down & slipped her feet into shoes, then stood & brushed her skirts.
     Catherine still sleeping in the other bed, moved with the sound of Matilda opening the heavy door that lead into a dim passageway. Soon, she too would have to rise & attend to certain duties. Catherine had shared part of Matilda's earlier years at her lessons. She was a good year older than Matilda, her hair lighter in tone, but eyes were a similar brown. Catherine possessed a quiet nature, never questioning what was asked of her. Neither girls were granted an opinion as they had been taught from an early age to respect the manner in which decisions were made for them. They were also aware that many young girls of similar age could be married by now & subjected to the will of their husbands. Their young lives mapped out according to birth & possibly sent to a household away from home prior to marriage & what was to follow. Both young ladies had become firm friends & sometimes confided in secrets together. Matilda had decided at the time, not to include Catherine in her recent plans in case she wouldn't keep her secret. Although she trusted her implicitly, Matilda knew that leaving the castle for good was something she must keep to herself.
     Life for Matilda had become mundane. In her more informative years she had been expected to learn her letters & two languages, apart from other aspects of living within the confines of Chillon castle. She knew her mother had died giving birth to her & her father was unknown. She had been told when young she had two older sisters, but of those she knew nothing more. Her youthful exuberance had recently intervened, throwing her inner emotions into turmoil, her life had become pointless, uneventful as the outside world proved irresistible she had taken her chances when the opportunity presented itself but failed.
     As Matilda walked to the hall she passed a doorway & Alice, the housekeeper, called to her. 'Ah, there you are young lady. I've been asked to speak to you about a certain matter.' Matilda stopped, almost froze, her hands clasped tightly in front, while her insides started to churn. She dropped her eyes not daring to look up. Alice had been a guiding hand at times throughout her childhood, almost a mother, but was strict too, adopting a modicum of decorum towards both young girls. She drifted over to where Matilda was feeling tense, dreading what Alice was about to impart.
     'Pierre... the master,' she began, 'has asked me to speak with you about what has occurred recently. The matter of you departing at such an early hour & with no escort whatsoever... did you not think of the consequences...? How on earth...? Oh never mind... we will deal with that very soon.' Matilda felt more nervous. Alice continued, 'you may have noticed have you not, that you now sleep with Catherine? Things have changed somewhat & hopefully for the better. There will be no more escapades from this castle. Is that clear?'
     'Yes madam,' muttered Matilda, feeling slightly less tense. Her hands in front still clasped tightly. This is far from over, she thought.
     'And another thing, the master has told me that you will be allowed a little more freedom now you are older.' Matilda's head rose. She found the calm eyes of Alice bearing down on her. At the same time feeling more than surprise of  impending doom that appeared to be lifting with each passing moment. Her expression turning to complete amazement, brown eyes widening as she looked at Alice .
     'But why...?'
     'Never mind why,' Alice said, 'there have been a few changes around here & you may very soon be expected to accompany the master on  a journey. The weather is improving all the time & as you know, he sometimes travels from place to place on business. He likes to take everything of comfort, but there will be adequate staff to accompany him.
     Matilda gasped, the tension leaving her as her thoughts engrossed with all that would entail. 'But I...'
     'Yes, things have certainly changed around here.' Alice had not at this stage been informed as to the details of the journey or its destination, but continued. 'It has been decided that you are now of an age where it would benefit you to experience a little of er...'Alice paused & tried to think of what she needed to impart to the astonished Matilda. 'Well, in time you will be better informed. But for now... what think you of this turn of events?'
     'Madam, I hardly know what...'
     'You may call me Alice from now on. That too, has changed. It is with regret that you saw fit to leave here recently, but for now, you will remain in the confines of the castle. You & Catherine will be expected to respect the rules, is that clear?'
    'Perfectly madam... I mean Alice.' Matilda was so completely dumbfounded, remaining motionless in front of Alice, who said, 'well it is time for you to break your fast. Do you know if Catherine is close behind? Where is that girl?' Alice looked over Matilda's shoulder frowning.
     'Would you like me to find out if...?'
     'No no,' said Alice hastily, 'I'm sure Catherine will be here any moment. She is usually very prompt, yes, very prompt.' Alice shaking her head a little & still frowning, walked away into another room, leaving Matilda dazed & bewildered. She turned toward the smaller hall, used for meals & other gatherings. Arriving through a doorway she noticed a fire having been lit earlier, crackled slowly from a large area within a side wall as a few of the servants busied themselves. The main hall was used by the Count for more important functions, as yet unseen by Matilda. As she took her seat on a wooden bench her thoughts becoming like a storm approaching as she still wondered what could possibly have brought about such a change.
                                                      
     The dawn of an early summer's day fell upon the high structures of the outside walls. Building work within the castle was continuing. The sun's rays brought a new warmth that was felt within the courtyards. It flooded across the cobblestones & glinted in & out of the shadows thrown down by the semi-circular towers nearing completion. Even the moat was being widened. Although the days were longer & slightly warmer, the sun never penetrated the thick walls of the interior.
      The crackling fire threw a vague warmth throughout the hall. After Matilda had sat down she noticed Catherine seated nearby & moved to sit beside her. Looking sideways she said, 'As we have been sharing the same room for a short time, do you know the reason for that Catherine?'
     'Not really, it seems that it will be ongoing too. I was told that yesterday, but I know not the reason. Evidently there have been several changes made & the master has ordered that accommodation be prepared immediately as the Count is returning a little earlier than expected.'
      Matilda shifted on the bench, 'I met the housekeeper earlier on my way here. I was so surprised with what she had to say, but you were not here & I need to discuss things with you.' 
     'Discuss what?' Catherine turned to face Matilda, becoming quite intrigued with what Matilda had just said.
     'When I met the housekeeper, she asked me to call her Alice. I've never heard of such a thing! What could possibly have brought this on?' said Matilda, her eyes bright & eyebrows raised 'She stunned me by telling me that my life is to be more or less...' she hesitated, then continued. 'More or less changed. But not in those words. I am to have more freedom in the future & be allowed to travel with the Master & his entourage. Perhaps that's what Alice meant. I'm confused now. but imagine that? I'm going to see a lot more of the countryside & even the mountains!'
     Catherine considered this for a moment & said, 'well, the weather is becoming more like summer, the warmer days mean that the Count will be about his travels once again. Pierre will be travelling too. Did you know that I will be accompanying him? Isn't that exciting?'
     Matilda became very animated. She reflected briefly, then added, 'I didn't know that. What do you suppose has brought about this unusual decision? When Alice stopped me, I thought I would be in a lot of trouble for my..., well, you know..., when I left the castle recently. But instead I shall be allowed more freedom. Whatever that means.'
     'There is certainly a different atmosphere around here now. I'm not sure what is at the bottom of it, but I guess we will find out soon enough,' Catherine added.
     Matilda pulled at some bread & slowly put a piece in her mouth, thinking all the time as she did so. 'Yes, I suppose we will find out in due course. But I'm rather excited at the thought of travelling to lots of different places.'
     'You haven't moved from here yet, let alone travel to many different places. We may not be going far, who knows, it might only be a few miles away,' Catherine said wistfully as she gazed over to the other side of the room where a young man sat eating. Her face took on an almost dreamlike look as she pondered over the future.
     'Well, I'm sure we will be going far & soon,' said Matilda. Just you wait & see if I'm not right.'
     'Yes, we will know soon enough.' Catherine was still gazing over to the other side of the room in a sort of trance. 'But don't count on it. Things may turn out very different.'
     Matilda frowned slightly & finished what she had been eating a little too hurriedly. 'Catherine do you know more about our new room by any chance?' Catherine started moving from her seat, across the floor toward the nearest door when she turned to face Matilda. 'No, but that's another thing I think we will find out about soon.' Matilda rose & followed Catherine to the door. Together both girls walked back past where Alice had been talking to Henry a man who, in the past had once saved the life of Pierre, the present castellan of the castle, when the horse he was riding out hunting, suddenly reared, throwing Pierre dangerously close to the horse's hind legs. Henry had been close at hand & was able to rescue Pierre & been promoted to an assistant some time after the event.
     'Oh, I'd hoped to see you two this morning,' Alice said, leaving Henry to continue with what he had planned for the day. She drifted over to where Catherine & Matilda had stopped while passing the doorway. 'You may notice when you return to your room that new gowns had been ordered & placed there waiting for you both to try on. It's important that they fit well.'
     Catherine & Matilda starred at Alice, then at each other in complete amazement. Matilda's astonishment caused her to gasp, as she said to Alice, 'what sort of gowns are they?'
     'Not too fancy, just a much better version of the homespun you wear now,' remarked Alice, her face unsmiling in a matter of fact manner she often expressed when being decisive.
     'But...?' remarked Catherine, 'I don't under...!'
     'You will soon enough', replied Alice, cutting her off a bit short. 'If you are to be travelling afar, you will need to possess a little more than you do now. For the moment, you must go now & see if they are suitable. Any alterations can be arranged.'
     'Travelling afar?' questioned Matilda. Before she & Catherine retired to their room to view the new gowns, she added, 'please Alice, may we know the place to which we will travel?'
     'Very well then,' sighed Alice. 'It appears that you are both to travel all the way to England & there you will be living with a relative of the master'.
     Matilda couldn't contain herself any longer. 'England! To England? But that is a long way from here.'She looked at Catherine who seemed to remain relatively calm.
     Alice almost managed a smile then. 'It IS a long way to travel, but you will both be accompanied by the master himself & certain members of the staff for your safety. It has been decided that, in view of recent circumstances & other matters that have come to hand, you will both leave one week from today. Go now & do as you are bidden.'
     Matilda looked again at Catherine, a smile on her face but apprehensive of the future. Together both young ladies turned in the direction of their room, Catherine contemplating, Matilda chattering like a bird she had seen rising from the branch of a tree, before soaring to the heavens in free flight, its wings outspread in the soft breeze blowing across the lake. She turned to Catherine. 'To England?'
    
    
    
   

Endless possibilities!

     There is every chance of a follow up to 'Flight into the unknown'. It has been written, but certain events lately have curtailed writing time a little. (Rather a lot, but which may prove a complete change in circumstances.) The story line will not be completed for now, as Matilda's life has taken a turn for the better, or so it seems. Things are afoot & as the 13th century is an enormous & new challenge, what appears forthwith will have to be carefully planned & adhered to if she is to continue with her change in fortunes.
     Many demons loom in one's mind as to ability, quality of writing & content, among other things, but, with much tenacity & perseverance it might appear on the page as something a few will be kind enough to read. If so, I thank you in anticipation.

Lark ascending

Sweet merriment of song
travelled o'er countryside long
heard amidst grasses wavering
 lark singing in my soul.

It flutters like music heard
in a rainbow passing near
lilting song light & lovely
twittering on wings hovering.

Meadows swaying your tune
as in a cloud dancing free
ascending lark finds love
his mate alights gladly true.

Summer song soaring feel
perfumed on morning breeze
warm sunrays moonlit nights
but lark ascends singing free.

Songbird sweeping fields
across lengthening shadows be
constant singing fluttering down
there is magic all around.

Of castles & kings in North Wales & beyond.

     Patches of snow still sat high on the north facing slopes of the mountains amidst the spectacular scenery of north Wales - with picturesque rolling hills of outstanding natural beauty & long valleys that roamed between high rugged mountains, where mists gathered & swirled amongst rocky outcrops, snowcapped in winter, the bleakness adding drama that sweeps to the sea.
     Along the coast on the banks of the Menai Straits & opposite the Isle of Anglesey, Caernarfon Castle north west of Wales, was built by King Edward I of England. He began the medieval building in 1283, replacing the original motte-and-bailey castle in the town, where originally a Roman fort stood nearby. The castle's imposing size & with the Eagle Tower being most impressive, its easy access to the sea made it a fortified strength in the late 13th century. It was where Edward II was born in April 1284,  later meeting a grim end in September 1327 in Berkeley Castle.
     The castle stands in Gwynedd & Madog ap Llywelyn sacked the town & castle in 1294 when he lead a rebellion against the English.
     Richard II who had seized the Lancastrian estates after the death of his father Edward the Black Prince, was deposed by Henry Bolingbroke when, after the death of his father John of Gaunt in 1399, succeeded as King. He was more energetic & conciliatory than Richard overcoming all opponents. Richard died in Pontefract Castle under mysterious circumstances.
     Owain Glyndwr was the last native Welshman to bear the title of Prince of Wales, (self-proclaimed) instigating an unsuccessful revolt against English rule & that of Henry IV of England from 1400. The last documented sight of him was in 1412 & his fate remains a mystery.
     Relations between the English & Welsh began diminishing during the Tudor dynasty when castles fell into disrepair.
     Charles, the present Prince of Wales was invested at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.
     The countryside between Caernarfon & Conwy is stunning before approaching the magnificence of Conwy castle, once the site of a Cistercian monastery favoured by Welsh princes. It occupies a prominent position on a coastal ridge of north Wales, built from local & imported stone by Edward I of England during his conquest of Wales & became part of the walled town of Conwy.
      It withstood the siege by Madog ap Llywelyn in the winter of 1294-1295 & Richard II used it as a temporary haven in 1399. Owain Glyndwr held it for several months in 1401.
      The castle is considered to be one of the finest late 13th & early 14th century examples of military architecture with its exterior curtain wall & towers & was completed in 1287.
     It surrended to the Parliamentary armies during the English Civil war in 1646, after holding out by forces loyal to Charles I. It finally fell into complete ruin in 1665 when its remaining lead & iron were stripped off.
     The town of Conwy is charming with several different periods depicted in its architecture, but the castle still remains a prominent force within the town & climbing the ramparts & many staircases, its long history is written within the high walls overlooking the sea. The surrounding  mountains & hills of Wales lie scattered on the near horizons, their beauty & rugged splendor prominent, yet  reflecting their own magical individuality & presence.  
     Travelling south east from the north coast, between Chester in the north & Hereford further south, the town of Shrewsbury, a Saxon name, extended as far back as 901 & once a centre for the wool trade. Its half timbered Abbot's house on Butcher Row from 1500 still stands, as do several other fine buildings of the period.
     Shrewsbury stands on a meander of the River Severn & is nine miles from the Welsh border.
     The first Earl of Shrewsbury, a relative of William I, Roger de Montgomery built a castle in 1074 where the present one stands.
     After 1066 Walter de Lacy, a trusted member of the household of William FitzOsbern, was granted land in order to keep his loyalty along the English-Welsh border in South Shropshire. His two sons Roger & Hugh were responsible for the early building of Ludlow Castle which occupies a commanding position high above the river Teme.
     Over the centuries the castle had passed into many different hands, bearing a long history of ownership.
     The round tower dates from the 12th century, but in 1135 after Henry I died, the number of Welsh raids increased & following Henry's death, the grandson of William I, Stephen of Blois seized the throne even though it was promised to Henry's daughter Empress Matilda.
     By the late 15th century Ludlow castle was under ownership of Richard, Duke of York & being a major base during the Wars of the Roses, was taken by the Lancastrians, then back into York hands in 1461.
      Edward IV sent his son Edward, the Prince of Wales to live at Ludlow castle when young.  He was then sent into virtual imprisonment in the Tower of London by his uncle, King Richard III of England & joined by his brother Richard. The young prince was never crowned & together with his younger brother, disappeared, presumed murdered throwing suspicion on their uncle.
       Ludlow now a pleasant market town, lies close to the Welsh border, forming part of the Welsh Marches. In the Middle Ages the castle formed a strategic stronghold for controlling the Welsh Borders. The de Lacy family had control of the castle mainly during the early part of the 12th century & up until the 14th century. It later became the possession of the Mortimers through marriage.  
       Hereford being a cathedral city, lies on the River Wye south of Ludlow & the Mappa Mundi drawn on a single sheet of vellum is hung on display within the cathedral. It is believed to be the largest remaining medieval map still in existence. The writing is in black ink with several other colours used to depict hundreds of towns & dozens of biblical events. Several colours were used to enhance the animals & plants, people & scenes from classical mythology. Its circular presentation includes Great Britain drawn at the northwestern border.
      There had been around 400 castles built in Wales,100 of which still stand mainly in ruins, many being constructed in commanding positions where they fulfilled strategic purposes. Many too have returned to nature & become no more than a ditch, mound or earthwork.
     There will always be a long & intriguing history associated with Wales & the countryside, together with its people uniquely standing with pride & patriotism. This beautiful country, rugged in places particularly in the mountainous north, the rivers & forests combined with towns, villages & a coast of stunning proportions, are all part of its national identity & remain part of the United Kingdom.
    
    
    

Florence - A Renaissance city.

     The train left Rome on time. It slipped quietly out of Termini station heading for Florence & possibly on to Milan or Venice. The weather was bright & clear sometime in September.
     Countryside passed swiftly, undulating in places where clumps of woodlands intermingled with large fields & a scattering of farm houses. Pine trees grew infrequently, the same as those grown in Rome, with spreading dark green heads & narrow trunks that bent or remained straight, resisting the wind. Several large hills appeared, dipping into deep valleys as the sun climbed higher, filtering through thin layers of scudding pale grey & pink-tipped clouds, floating high against a blue sky. 
     The train travelled smoothly toward Florence, the center of Italian Renaissance & once the seat of the powerful Medici family & with the outskirts of the city appearing, it pulled into the long Stazione di Santa Maria Novella on time, named after the Gothic church standing nearby. 
     Florence is a beautiful city, with a history of many artists, sculptors & architects, of galleries & museums, grouped comfortably within walking distance; where Grand Dukes maintained power, Kings ruled & resided. Compacted into some may think, an elegance of narrow streets & wider piazzas, buildings of warm browns & ochre, waited to be explored.  
     Many bridges span the Arno river of this Tuscan region, which is second in importance after the Tiber, flowing through the heart of Rome. The Ponte Vecchio, is a Medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch, with shops of mainly art dealers, jewelers & souvenir sellers each side.
     A bridge first appeared in a document in 996 AD, destroyed by a flood in 1117, but after a reconstruction of stone, the bridge was again swept away by floods in 1333.
     The economic concept of 'bankruptcy' originated here when a merchant unable to pay his debts, a table on which his wares were sold, was physically broken by soldiers & this resulted in the practice of 'bancorotto'!
     On the south side of the River Arno stands the vast Palazza Pitti, (or Pitti Palace), close to Ponte Vecchio, formerly the residence of the grand dukes of Tuscany & later the King of Italy, built in the second half of the 15th century. Caravaggio's Sleeping Cupid & Raphael's La Donna Velata from the Medici collection are housed there amongst many other fine Italian works of art. 
     Palazzo Medici Riccardi's construction started in 1445 of Renaissance architecture for Cosimo de'Medici, with it's sumptuous interior consisting of almost decadent wall & ceiling frescoes. The accumulation of wealth of the Medici family included such items as silverware & ornaments of gold & silk, with the furniture, heavy in detail & decoration, was endless. The main hall is vast, containing around the edges, large marble statues depicting opulent design & interpretation.
     Michelangelo's magnificent (biblical) David, sculptured in Carrara marble, was moved to the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze, (Accademia Gallery), in 1873 & stands over five meters high. A Renaissance masterpiece, created between 1501 and 1504 & such a monumental achievement, it is evidence of a supreme comprehension of the male human form, proving an ability to achieve a balanced perspective of grace, strength & athleticism. Under the patronage of the Medici, Renaissance sculpture flourished in Florence.
     This Tuscan city has a unique charm of its own, one that the enormity of Rome may lack. It was a center for Renaissance art & Brunelleschi (1377-1446), was one of the foremost architects & engineers of this Italian period. His other accomplishments included that of mathematics, engineering & sculpture.
     Florence Cathedral  (The Duomo), began in 1296 in the Gothic style, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, the dome being engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, dominates the skyline of the city. The interior exudes a quiet peace & unadorned with lavish decoration in comparison with some churches in Rome. 
     Looking down from the perimeter of the dome, the Tuscan hills are not far away & the rooftops charmingly terracotta in nature, earthy & not lacking in character. The exterior of the Cathedral is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of pinks & greens, bordered by white & the basilica is one of Italy's largest churches. The dome was once the largest in the world. It still remains the largest brick dome in the world & is part of the UNESCO Heritage Site. 
     Spending a little time strolling across the Ponte Vecchio spanning the River Arno, is an experience within itself, butcher shops once inhabited the small buildings, but now there are many jeweler's shops each side (with small interior spiral staircases), art dealers, souvenir sellers, some with heavy carved dark wood paneling.  
     From the banks of the river it is possible to see the haphazard supporting structures under the shops that hang precariously over the river, many with rotting & patched up timbers & a few steel supports added in a vein attempt to keep them from tumbling into the river. But perhaps with the next intense flood, the entire bridge would wash away downstream.
     There is an abundance of main & backstreet shops selling quality leather goods, which are often made locally, the traders being kept in reasonable business with shoppers from all over the world breathing in the rich smell of leather near the open doorways.  
     The quiet vibrant atmosphere of Florence, compared to that of Rome, is significantly aesthetic, due to its size & comparative ease of travel within the city. It's many narrow alleyways & streets lend themselves to a softness of browns & light blue colours appearing to reflect off the ageing buildings, with shadows falling in places, exuding a warm glow in early morning & late afternoon. There is a subtlety of light moving throughout the seasons giving Florence, with its galleries, palaces, churches & many restaurants, a unique individuality, a timelessness. It's beauty & history are many centuries old relating to the lives of artists, sculptures, architects & the many people who ruled from this city. 
       
 

Encounters with animals!

     During the early summer, which began cool with constant rain showers, Emily had experienced an unusual feeling as she approached the stable block at the bottom of her garden. It only catered for two horses at the same time, but she had always loved dairy cows & remembering when only young, driving with her parents through the countryside, she had suddenly shouted 'stop!'  Her bewildered father driving the family car at the time, jammed on the brakes looking quite worried. 
     Emily smiled to herself as she looked back to that day noticing several dairy cows grazing in a field beside the road & thinking how fascinating & pretty they looked with their large brown eyes & long lashes. She had spent a little time visiting a dairy farm when quite young & loved the smell of it, the lambs being born, fresh cut hay heady & sweet, cows & sheep roaming meadows & fields, horses grazing, flicking their tales to rid themselves of pesky insects in summer.
     Her father had looked puzzled, not knowing the reason his daughter had called out in such a forthright manner. Within no time at all, she was out of the car, dashing across to where a herd of dairy cows were peacefully grazing. Standing on the gate, talking to them, admiring their huge bodies & kindly looking eyes, they would curiously wander over & with long rasping tongues, lick her fingers. She laughed at the sight, feeling their tongues wrap around her fingers.
     As the memory of that day flooded her thoughts, Emily peering over the top of a stable door, an idea started taking root. I wonder if...she thought, well perhaps not...she continued. She was on her way to visit Ben, her long time farmer friend who lived just down the lane. She often found herself there, standing on the gate, leaning over looking for him for one reason or other, or in the farmhouse. Ben milked his herd of dairy cows twice a day, unless Andy, his farm hand was there helping out.
     The day though cool, dawned bright & the sun warming Emily's face as she noticed a bumble bee buzzing through a few flowers blooming low near the ground. The air smelled fresh, heady with early roses, the grass sweet with summer fragrance. Several birds chirped noisily nearby as they flitted across the garden, heading for the branches of an apple tree, while the early summer played havoc with the weeds in the vegetable patch. 
     As Emily was about to drive her car down to the farm, as she needed to speak to Ben about one or two matters, she glanced once again at the empty stable block. It wasn't often that her horse Apollo was housed there, as he spent most of his time at the farm.
     As the car wound its way through the country lanes, Emily's mind would not be still. She tossed a few ideas around her brain, thinking & reasoning while the car continued on down the hill.  She was pulling into Ben's driveway & suddenly smiled & knew the one main reason she was visiting Ben today. 
     The milking shed door clattered open just as she approached the end of the track leading to it. Ben was wiping his hands & looked up as Emily arrived at the gate she often stood on to chat to him.
     'Morning Em!' Ben sometimes called her this when he was having a good day. He glanced over to her as he came through the open doorway.
     'Hello Ben, all finished for now?
     'It seems so,' nodded Ben. 'Not a bad day is it?' looking up at the sky, he closed the door behind him & joined Emily on the other side of the gate.
     'I have something I want to ask you Ben,' smiling at him & frowning a little as she started biting her bottom lip.
     'Ask away then, don't keep me in suspense all day.'
     'I've been thinking.' said Emily.
     'Oh yes, & what might that be about I wonder?'
     'Well, you see, I've always liked cows as you may already have guessed, & well...'
     'Spit it out girl, I have chores to attend to' Ben smiling at her now, with a curious questioning look on his face.
     'You know that my two stables are not used that often, only on fairly rare occasions?'
     'Yeah' Ben replied slowly.
     Emily continued, 'what would you say if I suggested I rear two of your calves & keep them in one of my stables?'
     'Oh, is that all!' Ben smiled. 'Thought it was going to be something quite serious, judging by the look on your face, frowning like that! Of course you can, when would you like to start?' Ben asked.
     'Oh really!' Emily quite surprised at the ease at which it took convincing Ben. 'I thought you wouldn't be at all happy with the idea.'
     'Why wouldn't I? It's just a case of when & gathering a few things together for you. You will need some straw for bedding & extra buckets & you will soon learn how to mix their milk ration each time. Easy really. What about I bring them up tomorrow morning in the horse box after I've done the milking?'
     'Excellent!' said Emily, smiling & feeling quite relieved. 'That would be just fine Ben. I'll expect you then. There were one or two other things I wanted to mention, but now they have quite gone from my head.'
     Ben was looking amused & shaking his head slightly as he walked back to the milking parlour before starting on his chores.
     'See you then Emily' he called, disappearing through the doorway.
     'Thanks Ben,' Emily replied, walking back to her car feeling happy & light hearted about tomorrow.
     The next day thankfully, dawned bright & almost warm, as Emily stepped into the garden. She knew Ben would be arriving soon & wanted to see if all was in readiness for the two calves she would be rearing for a while. Looking in at the end stable, she was satisfied it was cleared out enough in readiness for them.
     Ah, she thought, this will be fun, I'm looking forward to my two little friends. Emily also thought a slight pang of apprehension as she had never undertaken anything quite like this before. Can't be much to it. Just use common sense, that's all. Anything I need to know, I'll ask Ben.
     Not long after, Ben brought the two calves & jumping out from the Land Rover, he carried the first of two straw bales to lay as a bed in the end stable. Then together they carefully herded the two small animals through the doorway, Emily shutting & bolting the door carefully after them.  
     'Oh, they are so pretty,' Emily said.
     'Just calves Em, nothing to get excited about!'
     'But you are use to them, these are my first & I think they're pretty, even if you don't!' Emily retorted going over to the dark brown one with a white blaze on her forehead.
     'Oh well, if you think so then, but now I just need to tell you how much to feed them & when, then I'm off. They always appear to want more than their ration, but you have to be strict with them. Being young, they just want to go on sucking after the milk has disappeared. That's natural. You'll get use to it.'
     Ben told Emily a few more details, then said he had to get back to the farm. He had supplied her with several things including two new buckets & a teat to help them get started. Also the formula with which to feed them.
     Emily was still stroking the dark brown calf with huge dark eyelashes & said to Ben. 'I'm going to call this one Sara & the other one Sam. What do you think Ben?'
     'I don't mind what you call them' he said smiling & pulling a face at Emily. 'They won't mind either, as long as they are fed regularly. If you will be okay from now on, I'd best be getting back. The vet is coming soon & I have to get Tigre in.
     'Nothing too serious I hope Ben?'
     'No, I hope not, but think he must have banged his near foreleg on something & I want to be sure everything is well with him.
     'Right then Ben, I may be down tomorrow after I've fed these two,' she said, smiling down at her new acquisitions.
     'See you Em, perhaps tomorrow,' Ben waved disappearing back to the Land Rover.
     That evening, Emily had looked forward to feeding the calves for the first time. She gathered the milk mixture & prepared it in the buckets as Ben had instructed. She shut herself in the stable & showed the calves where the milk was, coaxing them with her voice. Crouching low to Sara first, she dipped her clean fingers in the milk & offered them to Sara to suck on. The little calf soon got the idea, as Emily led her fingers to the milk in the bucket. The calf was drinking the milk very quickly & when it had gone, tried licking the bottom of the bucket.
     'That's all I'm afraid, you aren't allowed to have anymore,' she pouted. Poor little mite, now I know what Ben meant.'
     She did the same for Sam, the other calf who was anxious for its milk. 'I'm coming, I'm coming,' she smiled at Sam. 'Your turn now.'
     When Sam got to the end of her milk ration, she seemed fretful & wanted more. Suddenly she up-ended the bucket, tossing it high enough to catch Emily square on the bridge of her nose.
     'Ouch!' she said scowling at the young calf. 'That's not cricket you know! Ben said nothing about THAT.' Rubbing her nose & trying to pacify the calf at the same time with her fingers in its mouth, she added, 'I suppose I'll have to watch out for flying buckets from now on, won't I?'
     The next morning bloomed fresh with a promise of a little warmth, as the sun shone brightly through the kitchen window, flooding onto the table where Emily was finishing a late breakfast. The bridge of her nose had bled & felt sore this morning. I suppose that's all part of it, she thought, gazing out of the window & watching a robin hopping around the garden. A light breeze was sighing through the apple trees & the sun's rays were penetrating softly through the new leaves of a shrub. She had already fed the two calves & needed to see Ben this morning about something. She washed out her cup & made her way to the car.
     Pulling in to the farm, she saw Ben talking to Lizzie, her other friend who lived not far away. They had all been friends for many years.
     Getting out of the car, Emily walked over to her two friends, smiling at them when Lizzie said, 'I believe you are now the proud owner of two new calves!'
     'Not owner, Lizzie, just rearing them for a while. But I must say that although young still, they are very strong!'
     Emily related to both Lizzie & Ben, the episode with the bucket. 'And look what that little mite did to me!' she grimaced, indicating the bump on her nose where it was bruised & had bled, then added, 'well, it's not the end of the world is it? Ben did warn me about certain things, but not necessarily everything!'
     You'll soon get use to it,' said Ben.
     'What! Do you mean this is a common occurrence then? Think I'd do well to keep those buckets firmly on the floor from now on. Don't want a bloody nose each time. Perhaps I can wedge them into the corner of the stable a bit more.'
     'Hold the bucket with both hands, silly,' replied Ben'
     'How do I do that while I'm trying to coax them to drink at the same time?'
     Lizzie chipped in & said. 'Don't worry Emily, you'll be fine. It won't take much time to get things running smoothly.'
     'Hope so Lizzie. That bucket hurt when it shot up & hit me. I didn't expect it, but I'll be aware of flying buckets from now on!' she said, frowning a little.
     As the summer progressed the calves grew & before it was time for them to be returned to the farm, two children living close by had sometimes come to play with them. The calves by now being very tolerant of human company, were great with the children & very placid. Emily made sure the stable door was always shut tight & kept a close eye on the children when they were with the calves.The children sometimes sat close to them admiring their long eyelashes putting their fingers out for the calves to lick, bringing squeals of laughter.
     'You had best wash those hands before you return home,' she smiled.
     Over a couple of years Emily had reared another pair of young calves she called Jack & Jill. She had become quite an expert at looking after them & when she had her horse Apollo in the stable next door, she found that the calves were good company for him. Apollo would hang his head over the  divider built between the two stables. Stooping as low as possible, gazing at the two calves, as if communicating with them, he would pace a little from one front foot to the other.
     Some years later Sara, who had always been Emily's favourite calf, still retained a very dark brown colour, with a blaze on her forehead & Ben had told her that Sara was his most productive milking cow. She had produced many gallons of rich creamy milk & calves of her own which usually turned out like their mother, with huge brown eyes & long dark lashes.
  
   
    
  
    

Foggy Morning

Upon the misty mountain high
trees tipped & tinged still be
fog lies low its darkness feeds 
from tangled threads it weaves.

Birds perched upon the wire
shivered shaken feathers feel
nests coated cold still holds
sunrays lost & winter's fold.

Foggy foggy daylight come
resting on the grass afar
scattered jewels of colours shine
crystals lovely hidden in time.

Trees ghostlike hold your magic
steeped in wonder fog-wet dew
deep & dark the forest bears
secrets from a land yet fares.

Foggy foggy daylight come
your fingers dipped in earth
dank & moist cold as graves
lift your mantle from the fray.