Saturday, March 30, 2024

Warmth.

 

The County archaeologist is here at first light. 'Going to be warm today ' he says optimistically. He's brought his eight, six and four year old sons with him in the much dented family minibus. " Chance for the missus to get a lie in " he adds by way of explanation. The bobble hated boys cluster on the sand, laugh and skim stones across the water. The youngest is unhappy to find he can't do it as well as his elder brothers and returns to be with his father. 


The archaeologist thinks that he's now found all the bronze age and early Christian tombs in the field by the sea. Despite being built  3,000 years apart the way of making the tombs is remarkably similar. Thin lengths of rock are taken from the beach, shaped into oblongs and then used to line holes in the soil. In the bronze age tombs the body is laid on its side in a fetal position. In the early Christian tombs , all East  facing , the bodies are laid out on their backs as if asleep. On a morning like this we all agree that it would be difficult to find a more beautiful spot to spend eternity. His two eldest sons, and the youngest who has rejoined them,  are too busy skimming stones to have a view on this.


On the town beach the old dune line can clearly be seen. A line of deep marram grass roots still managing to cling onto the sand despite the tides that have washed so much away. The kestrel that's nesting  near the tidal spit swoops low over us before pouncing on something in the dunes.


The popular bar near the golf club has a new sign in its window. Angus isn't sure whether the admonition ' You can eat with the ghosts of former champions' would entice him in.


Later today we shall head down to the Royal and Ancient to inspect the renovations to the club house. Workmen were labouring away, by floodlight, until late last night. For the last 18 months the road outside has been reduced to one lane and traffic lights and a contraflow system installed. This has been, to put it mildly, annoying.

On the town noticeboard a local has made his poetically unhappy views of the Links Trust quite clear. 


Tandoori pizza. The local restaurants continue to appeal to an international ( and youthful ) audience. I am impressed,

9 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Interesting about the tomb construction and burial positions.
I'm wondering, does the protest poet have local support?
Not sure why Nobby saw fit to sing/bark along to 'Thine be the Glory'. He's probably no more out of tune than his owner.
Cheers! Gail.

Tara said...

Oh my! Papa John's + tandoori = WTF?! Papa John's isn't real pizza. It's delicious junk food, if you're in the mood for that. But to mix that with Indian? Interesting...

Travel said...

A good question, would I try Indian Pizza? Yes, I will try almost anything.

Stephanie said...

The sea and sky pictures are spectacular!

Diaday said...

What beautiful seascape photos. I love the the mention of the young boys skimming stones...what a childhood delight.

Camille said...

Dottie gently snored through 'Thine be the Glory' leading me to believe wee Nobby has far superior taste in music than she. I greatly enjoyed hearing it this morning on holy Saturday. Such an interesting way to run a restaurant, quite brave and a lovely simple menu. But I'm afraid one I'd never entertain visiting because at those prices, I prefer to know what's going to be put in front of me. It brought back a memory of a prior experience in which the chef presented to us an exclusive and extensive tasting menu of offal. Twelve small courses of offal. It was awful.

Coppa's girl said...

One has to admire the poem, but is it misplaced optimism on behalf of the poet?
Tanoori pizza - oh dear - whatever next!

rottrover said...

Osa and Buddy slept through 'Thine be the Glory' as well. That's the level of sophistication dogs get in Los Angeles. None!

Anonymous said...

“Thine be the Glory” made me fondly remember being next to my mother at.Church services and hearing her sing this with such emotion. I think it must have been one of her favorite hymns to song.❤️
Beautiful photos Angus!