Monday 3 March 2014

Robin and Yew


A couple of days in Herefordshire, and an essential visit to Kilpeck church, one of the best preserved Norman churches in the country. Many will know of this pink sandstone building high on its knoll next to the castle, mainly for the incredible doorway with its Green Man (the object of my visit) and the course of corbels running around the top of the walls. Such a medieval pageant of heads and faces, upside down pigs, doves, musicians, acrobats and wrestlers. And then outside this little Reliant Robin under the yews, losing yet another wheel. Its elderly owner stood by it, staring at the space where the third of only three wheels ought to be, lost in thought. Probably remembering slow excursions down Herefordshire lanes, leaning gently into the bends.

5 comments:

Philip Wilkinson said...

Marvellous. Have you noticed a recent tendency to call these curious little cars 'Robin Reliants'? Thank you for doing your bit to keep us attuned to our heritage by using the correct name. (It's a brilliant church, too.)

Peter Ashley said...

I had indeed noticed the 'Robin Reliants' u-turn of phrase. Only Daughter had a Reliant Scimitar once. For about a week.

Sue Imgrund said...

My brother had a Reliant Robin back in the 80s, but he referred to it as the "Plastic Pig"!

Gawain said...

Did you make it to the restored Shobdon? Am longing to get down there and see what they have done.

Peter Ashley said...

Didn't make Shobdon Gawain. I'll be very interested to know what they've done there.