Faith, Hope & Love, Shoreham
Today we decided to pay a return visit to Shoreham. This time we chose to frequent the other pub in the village, The Samuel Palmer. I was curious as to why it was named after this artist, who as well as being a landscape painter was also an etcher and printmaker.
It turns out his connection to the village was that he both lived in the village, in a rundown cottage he bought that was nicknamed "Rat Abbey"(!), and prolifically painted the countryside around it which he depicted as a demi-paradise, mysterious and visionary, often in sepia shades under moon and starlight. He was a precocious talent, despite having little formal schooling or training, who started by painting churches from aged twelve and was first exhibited at the Royal Academy at the tender age of just fourteen.
As for the pub itself it dates from the 15th Century and was beautiful inside with low beams and lovely decor. We had a couple of small plates for lunch washed down with a pint of Mahou (a Spanish lager) each.
The two images for today were both taken at the village church, St. Peter & St. Paul's, which seemed appropriate as that is what Samuel Palmer chose as his first subject matter. With the extra I loved these long lines of trees on both sides of the path leading through the churchyard. I also liked the humour of the tree towards the back that looks like it's waving for attention. With the main image it was this sign that really struck me - faith, hope and love. At this moment in time when everything seems depressing, frightening and anxiety inducing maybe we all need more faith, hope and love. I also liked how the triangular notion of faith (of any kind, not just religous), hope and love can help sustain us. Faith can breed hope and hope can breed love or vice-versa, love can breed hope and hope can breed faith - they all support each other. It was then I noticed the recurring triangles throughout the frame. It seemed apt somehow.
We finished off our visit with a coffee at the lovely local cafe, The Honey Pot. If you are ever in this part of Kent and have never been to Shoreham I would highly recommend it.
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