English Churches...

St Martins Church in Dorking has the second tallest steeple in the UK at 210 feet. The original church was listed in the Domesday book of 1086, but the present day church began life more fully in the 14th Century with its bells dating from 1626. Such churches lend a tremendous sense of history to these isles and they are a vital part of the landscape over here.
This photograph of St Martins was taken from Cotmandene in 2008 and looks north to the Downs and the  Pilgrims way, the trail made famous by Chaucer in the Canterbury tales.


Today we begin a final book clearance...
then we'll tackle the garage and its accumulations of clutter and so, hopefully, by the end of the week we'll be that much closer to a sense of order before the 40 foot container arrives!
Nicholas

A small pathway beyond St Martin's Church leads to Meadowbank with its beautiful trees and pond. 

This has always been one of our favourite walks, in every season it offers some sort of special blessing.


As we prepare to leave Dorking, I am increasingly aware of the uniqueness of this medieval market town that has held us for the entirety of our marriage. It sits nestled in the valley between the green slopes of Ranmore, Box, and Leith Hills; from our High Street we have glorious views of the North Downs  surrounding us in each direction.


It is interesting how much more deliberate, how much more conscious, my seeing, my listening, my inhabiting of my life is in this season of leaving. I hope I am able to retain this commitment to truly inhabiting each moment, for hidden within each is something spectacular which risks being lost to my experience if I become complacent or locked in thoughtless routine.


Judy