Sunday 13 October 2013

Perfect Afternoon

All day today the rain has poured and brooding, bruised looking clouds have scudded low over the fields. There were plans for a bike ride along a valley track with my friends but by 9 o'clock the rain had come and we decided to save it for a brighter day.
 
Sunday stretched out ahead with lots of niggly household tasks beginning to pile up. Our new kitchen is fitted at long last, but it doesn't quite feel like home yet as there's a few things to finish (pictures very soon.) But then Woody lifted up his head and said "I thought we could go out for lunch. How about the Black Lion?"
Bingo! Woody recently got the restaurant reviewing gig for the paper which is a very exciting but we're usually restricted to places closer to the city. But he know that the pub had already been photographed during another job so brilliantly we could have our Sunday lunch on the newspaper.
 
Lucky us. And it was smashing. The Black Lion is a favourite pub of ours, all low ceilings, ancient faded black and white pictures covering the walls, open fire and a real range, decent grub and local ales, a serious darts league and rarely busy. Basically a proper village pub.
Today it was just the cosiest place to be while the rain hammered down. We met a lovely American family who were staying in Leek to trace their family roots back in Butterton. They were great company and we talked about local heritage and industry and how the weather where they're from (Seattle) is just like here.
 
Lunch was super. Good home cooking, nothing fancy, perfect.
The boys wanted to try the pool table but I was itching for a stroll around this lovely village which is the place I'd definitely choose to live if we could. It's only a few miles from home and easy enough to get to town...one day!
 
Luckily the rain has eased up so I had a lovely wander up and down the lanes with the dripping trees for company. There's is something about Autumn that completely captivates me. It's the textures, the colours, the scent of it. Everywhere woodsmoke curled from chimneys and hung heavy in the damp air. A week ago summer was still here but now we're firmly in my favourite season.
This is the time when I almost want time to stop, or slow right down so I can enjoy every change, every day, watch the bracken rust away, the leaves burnish and the drama build.
I love Butterton's different cottages, farms and houses. Some are new, some tiny, some rambling.  
My head's full of the most lovely autumn imagery now, it should last me all week!



15 comments:

Sue said...

Oohh Just FAB Steph,
Thanks for sharing, lovely post as ever,
Hope all's well with you
Best Wishes
Sue xxx

Unknown said...

Just beautiful Steph. I love this time of year so much too. Looks like a perfect Sunday afternoon x

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful photos of your local area, great pub too and I love the range - so snug. I expect the Americans loved it's quaintness too. Thank you for such a lovely scenic blog.

SandyshoesCornwall said...

Lovely, sums up what is so good about the English countryside and why every cloud has a sliver lining x

Miss Holly said...

How absolutely wonderful!!! I just want to jump in...my favorite of all seasons as well....the smells!!!! I think the coolness makes all the smells just pop!!!... Leaves.....rain...cozy things cooking in cottages..the crispness of the air!!! Heaven!

Coco Rose Diaries said...

Perfect and Beauttiful x

Please may I? said...

Beautiful photos. Looks like a fabulous way to spend Sunday x x

serendipity said...

What a beautiful place. Makes me want to move there now! xx

DianeM said...

Just gorgeous photos...I love the English countryside.....someday I'll get there....
Smiles, DianeM

French Knots said...

A gorgeous English village, just right to amble round after a delicious Sunday lunch.

...Nina Nixon... said...

Oh Steph - I'm dreaming of drystone walls :)

Nina x

Louise said...

Sounds like a lovely Sunday. I used to spend every Friday of the school holidays in Butterton as a child... I have quite a few family members living there and the Sidney Bagshaw who started the butchers there was my great grandad - I used to make sausages on those school hol Fridays and then go on the meat deliveries to pubs and restaurants across the peak :)

Anonymous said...

Simply stunning Steph, I think I have looked at your gorgeous photos about 100 times, I just love them I just wish I was there! One day I hope to get across and see this beautiful country side for myself. Until then I am always grateful. Simone x

Anonymous said...

Ou, so nice and beautiful......

Heather L. said...

Oh my goodness! That pub is just perfect inside with that real range! Thanks for sharing all the pictures! Now that we are home from our grand adventure in Scotland and the Lake District I am hungry for any little picture or details to "keep the trip alive" just a wee bit longer.