Sunday 31 May 2009

 



The above collage is of places where I have felt a special "connection". Somehow, they are where I felt at home, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

I think we all have places like that. Sometimes we just have the one, others have more, like me. Sadly, I cannot return to most of those places. Some are abroad, in Menorca, or on Lake Garda in Italy, and some mean more walking than I can now manage.

The centre one is a misty morning on Lake Garda. It was quite magical. You felt the angels had only just gone away. The church is Hexham Abbey church, saved from Henry VIII's devastation because it was the Parish Church of the town. Inside it is just so old, you can almost hear the monks coming downstairs for the first of the morning services (at 2.0 am!!) In the crypt is one of the oldest Christian churches in England - built, I think, in about 600 AD. Much of it is built from "recycled" stone from the Roman town nearby, left when the Romans left England in the 5th century. Many of the farmhouses around there are also built of Roman stone. After all, why leave good building stone lying around! Hexham is very close to Hadrian's Wall in the north of England.

All the places were special to me. At times I had been very troubled and the peace and quietness restored my soul. God was definitely there.

I need to find more special places.
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14 comments:

Diane said...

What beautiful places Gilly - very special. This is a lovely post. xx

carmilevy said...

I feel a great sense of peace seeing these pictures, and agree wholeheartedly with you that we all need to find places like these. Being there seems to renew our soul, and whenever life gets to be too busy or frantic, I find myself pulling out these pictures as a means of calming myself down.

Thank you for sharing your photography. Your work really is wonderful.

Marja said...

Oh they are gorgeous places My brother always used to go to Lake Garda Great that we can cherish our memories and I wish everybody lots of these spiritual places
Here in NZ we indulge in them

Cloudhands said...

The world is filled with spiritual spaces that speak to our souls. Places where love was especially present. What joy to find them and be still and be blessed by them. Thanks for reminding me to be more aware as I come and go. Some places feel like coming home don't they?

Hollace said...

I think your montage is breathtaking! How very beautiful. I looked at it close up and felt a longing to sit in each of those places...Thanks for sharing them.

kenju said...

Gilly, this is an interesting post. There are many places where I have felt the same as you; notably in Rome, Hawaii and Costa Rica.

Sue said...

Lovely pics, very 'you'. Love the way you have done them too :-)

Gilly said...

Thank you everyone! Some of the peaceful and spiritual places I have found haven't photographed, or I didn't have my camera, so there are many that have had to be left out.

Some were only temporary, or far away. Like I said, I need more places!

Connie said...

The collage is outstanding! Wow - so glad the memories can linger with you.

We all need those quiet places - may you find many more for yourself!

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

How cool to have a collage of special places. You may not be able to visit them again, but the pictures will bring back the memories and the feelings of peace.

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

I have felt that many times. I feel it in the woods a lot. It is everywhere here in Virginia. I am so happy to be living here.

You're lucky to have been to so many places!

www.GreenerPastures--ACityGirlGoesCountry.blogspot.com

awareness said...

Gilly, this collage speaks volumes to me. It's beautiful. When I am in a meeting and close my eyes for respite, I can conjure up a place that I hold near and dear to my heart.... a place where i believe God dwells or has most definatly left his good love mark.

When I visited Pip last year in the UK, we spent an afternoon inside the holy walls of Canterbury Cathedral. It was such a moving spiritual place for me and I will never forget it.

Many times I have the same feeling when I'm close to the river where I live....the sense of oneness with nature and God culminate leaving me feeling refreshed and touched by God.

Beautiful Gilly....as you are always. xx

much2ponder said...

Gilly! I love these pictures and the way you have laid them out so creatively. I clicked on the photo and it filled my entire screan. How beautiful I thought. Even the black and white one looks so inviting. I love the one with the bench, oh heck. I love them all.

Rainbow dreams said...

Such lovely special places - I keep meaning to take the family up north to see some of the places from my history - Hexham is one of them...not that I have real memories of it, we moved when I was small but I have heard and would love to go back to visit with my parents...
a gorgeous post,
Katie, x