Well Dressing

I drove up to the Peak District only to find that the much anticipated cricket match had been cancelled due to rain. Still we took the opportunity to visit my daughter's commemorative bench at Lathkill Dale. I polished the plaque under an umbrella in the pouring rain and left a few flowers. We usually combine our visit with a walk and family picnic but not today! We had a cup of tea in the pub at the head of the valley to warm up and admired the grey but panoramic view. We passed this well dressing on the way to my daughter's in Hope. It is the season for the well dressings, a thanksgiving, originally pagan, for the clean water. The decorations are made by each village using only leaves, petals, seeds and other similar, natural materials. This one I thought particularly fine. Now, we will sete down with the papers and enjoy a good family meal a little later. I shall keep my cricket kit in the bag as I may travel up for a game in a few weeks.