#northumberland
The Hawthorn trees are now blossoming here in Redesdale.
In Celtic mythology, the Hawthorn is a sacred tree and symbolises fertility and lovey. The Welsh have a Hawthorn goddess - Olwen, and it is also associated with Blodeuwedd. In Britain it’s a strong symbol of protection, and some believe to ward the home from bad spirits one should have a piece of the wood in your home, however I believe this wood must have naturally fallen to the ground because in my part of the world cutting down a bit of wood brings very badluck: the Hawthorn is also known as the fairy tree, and cutting it down or cutting sprigs off it may disturb the fae.
Post link
Yesterday I wrote about the fairies of Humshaugh (Northumberland, England) and I was struck by how sweet it was. Often with British folklore, especially fairy tales, the endings can be quite harsh and involve the death or intense suffering of one who has, sometimes inadvertently, crossed the fae! Well, this morning I found an alternative ending to yesterday’s charming tale, and it’s not unlike another tale: the Fairies of Great Tosson.
Great Tosson is also in Northumberland, about thirty miles away from Humshaugh. In this story a miller and his wife found that, whilst they were out, fairies had been using their mortar to grind up grain. Furthermore, they had left the miller and his wife some, and so the wife baked a delicious loaf of bread. The whole family partook apart from the dog who refused to eat it, and, a warning not to reject gifts from the fae, the dog died the following day. In the alternative ending of the Humshaugh fairy story, the ploughman, who had been left fairy bread and butter as thanks for fixing their churn, shared his gift with the rest of the workers. Only the ox refused to eat it, and, like the poor dog at Great Tosson, he too died the following day.
[Sources:Simonside Crag, Folk Tales of the North Country by F. Grice, Northumberland Folk Tales by Malcolm Green]
Post link
An Alder tree by the River Rede. It’s a tree associated with Venus, Cronus, and Brân, and the element of water, as well as fire. In the Celtic tradition it was said that whoever dared to fell an Alder would have their homes burned down. To the Druids, the Alder is a sacred tree and they made whistles out of alder wood to bring the winds. Witches, it was also believed, used the same whistles to bring the north wind. It is also said to give protection during disputes: if you find you must confront someone, carry a small piece of alder in your pocket.
[Source:A Tree on Your Pocket by Jacqueline Memory Paterson]
Post link
Often folktales and fairy stories can be quite brutal and serve as warnings not to mess with the fae. This story, set in Humshaugh, near Hexham in Northumberland, England, is very simple and rather charming. It’s the story of a ploughman who, one day in summer, heard the sound of the fairies churning their fairy butter. He knew not to pry, so he didn’t stop to listen for too long or try to see them, so he continued with his work. However, as he returned to the spot with his plough he heard a tiny voice saying, “Alack a-day, what shall I do? I’ve broken my churn staff”. He called back, “Leave it out for me to fix!” then walked away, knowing they wouldn’t come out with it whilst he was standing there. When he came back, there waiting for him was the broken churn which he immediately set about fixing. He left it, and once again returned to his ploughing, and when he returned for the final time he found the churn was gone and, in its place, a pile of fairy bread and fairy butter was left in thanks.
[Source: Fairy folk celebrating around a plough by Charles Altamont Doyle,Folk Tales of the North Country by F. Grice]
Post link
A bog on the outer edge of a forest, with marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris) and horsetail reeds (Equisetum hyemale).
Post link
These two fairy tales are somewhat unusual as they are set not in the natural environment as so often folklore and fairy tales are, but in coal mines. The first is set in Shilbottle Colliery in Northumberland, England, near Alnwick and is the story of a mine spirit: the Bluecap. The second is from Callington Pit (also Northumberland) and tells the story of a boggart - Cutty Soams.
In the first, the Bluecap worked alongside the miners as a putter - someone who pushed (or dragged) the coal tubs. He worked hard, and kept the miners safe, manifesting himself in a blue flame. The miners paid him: if they overpaid him he would leave the surplus behind, but if they underpaid him he would become indignant, leave his wage, and potentially put the miners in danger.
Cutty Soams, on the other hand, delighted in putting the miners in danger (he was thought, perhaps, to be the ghost of a miner killed years earlier). As the Colliery Guardian wrote in 1863,
One [Cutty Soams] was a spiteful elf; who indicated his presence only by the mischief he perpetrated. He rejoiced in the name of “Cutty Soams,” and appears to have employed himself only in the stupid device of severing the rope-traces or soams, by which an assistant-putter – honoured by the title of “the fool ”– is yoked to the tub. The strands of hemp which were left all sound in the board at “kenner-time,” were found next morning severed in twain. “Cutty Soams” has been at work, could the fool and his driver say, dolefully knotting the cord.“
[Sources:Thomas Hair,The Faery Folklorist]
Post link
Today’s folktale is based in Elsdon, in Northumberland (England) and will be familiar to Harry Potter fans. It’s the tale of the Hobthrush, also known as a house sprite, a household fairy, in Scotland a brownie (brùnaidh), and a whole host of other names. They’re said to exist all over the British Isles and beyond.
This particular Hobthrush lived in Elsdon in a farm near Elsdon Castle (which was built by Robert de Umfraville in 1076 and is the site for many folktales). In the farm lived an elderly farmer and his wife who were, it being spring, extraordinarily busy with their duties. One day the farmer’s wife woke up feeling overwhelmed at the tasks ahead, and was thrilled to discover all the household jobs were done. The floor was swept clean, the windows were gleaming, the fire was lit, and the dishes were done. She knew at once it was the Hobthrush, and she and her husband were very grateful. They also knew that like all the “little folk” the Hobthrush would not want to be seen, so they were sure not to try and spy on him, so they simply left him some milk and an oatcake as thanks.
One night, however, the farmer’s wife returned home late and she did catch a glimpse of the Hobthrush busily working hard. She noticed his clothes were torn and raggy, so, as thanks, she made him a new outfit with the best fabrics she could find. The next night she laid the new clothes out, but the next morning she woke up to find all the tasks still weren’t done. Then she saw the Hobthrush in his new outfit was singing as he ran from the farm,
New cap, new shirt,
This brownie will clean no more dirt!
He ran out of the house never to be seen again, and once again the farmer’s wife was left with all the cleaning.
[Sources: Alice B. Woodward, Northumberland Folk Tales by Malcolm Green]
Post link
Some pink bluebells opposite my house. This would suggest that these are Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) rather than English (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) as there is no known pink English bluebells. The English bluebells are prized and smell divine, but I do still love these Spanish bluebells.
Post link
During Storm Arwen a shed was very badly damaged and ultimately had to be knocked down. I never realised that behind it there was gorse growing.
It is a beautiful shrub. In Ireland it was used for burning on Beltane fires, and in the Celtic tradition it’s associated with love and fertility, and often used as part of a bride’s bouquet.
Post link
Alnwick Castle
My frank review: I found this castle supremely disappointing. I thought it was lacking in historical information throughout and that some of the information that was presented was missing proper context. The Percys no doubt make a lot of money off of the pop culture connections (Harry Potter, Downton Abbey), and that is the true draw to the site. It was also bizarre to visit a castle that is still inhabited.
Post link
![Aubrey [Abroad]](https://64.media.tumblr.com/avatar_8a9e68eb3c8c_30.png){kind=avatar}
Alnwick Gardens
Various photos throughout the gardens. It was a lush summer day with buzzing bees and endless blooms. I was supremely impressed with the gardens and highly recommend a visit. We took the train to Alnmouth from York then hopped on the short bus ride to Alnwick to visit the gardens and the castle.
Post link
Alnwick Gardens - The Rose Garden
The rose garden in July is a feast for the senses. The breeze brings wafts of sweet floral scents and roses of all colours are busting in full bloom.
Post link
Alnwick Gardens - The Poison Garden
This garden is accessible by guided tour only, as it houses only poisonous plants, including some Class B drugs. Interestingly, many of the plants are common household plants such as nettles, poppies, rhubarb, and laurel.
Post link
Sometimes nothing is as pretty as #Northumberland
Thanks @miguel.beloo for editing better than any filter
#visitnorthumberland #instatravel #travel #travelphoto #travelphotography #travelgram #beach #rainbow #northeast #northeastengland #sea #seaside #bluesky #nature #walk #hike #uk #explorenorthumberland #countryliving #photooftheday #Newcastle #newcastleupontyne (at Seaton Sluice)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1V2ywmDz7i/?igshid=k5x98rhsi3tb
Post link
