Thursday, May 26, 2022

With Howard and Jenni At World's End

We met Howard and Jenni on our southern African campaign in 2017, one of nine couples on that wonderful tour, and have kept up, via Facebook and a lunch last August at Greenwich. Simply put, they are two of the most interesting and talented people we know. We stayed with them outside Newbury May 15, and were treated to a tour of the environs, a display of their many crafts and creations, a grand Jenni dinner, and much interesting and enlightening conversation. 

St. Nicholas Church, Beedon, which they care for; very old, 
some Saxon bits, local flint throughout

Master bell-ringer Howard showing Vicki how 
it works


In the oldest part of the church, an arch the old bells' ropes had worn 
into

Some of the newer sculpture


One side of the arch that separates the old and new
parts of the church features a snake's head

And the other, the snake's tail

Farnborough parish church, some miles down the
road, also very old


Environs

The church is notable for these windows, celebrating
Sir John Betjeman, Poet Laureate, 1972-84, a
"sometime resident" of the local rectory; a noted
defender of the Victorian...saved St. Pancras Station
from demolition years ago; so I have read



The Old Rectory, Farnborough

It was great fun driving around the countryside, an expert at the
wheel (Howard), Vicki effectively blinkered in the back seat; 
Jenni was back at the house preparing a remarkable meal, so
good, in fact, I forgot to take any pix

They really do live at World's End

Among Jenni's undertakings, making these 
unbelievable lace fans


A current project...

When not sailing, renovating antique clocks, 
editing and publishing, or caring for the parish
church, Howard also does beautiful woodwork,
the above a recreation of an ancient candle-holder
used for needle work; the light directed and
refracted by the glass globe; from Horse Chestnut,
aka Buckeye

Gorgeous wisteria in their backyard garden

Jenni and Howard; many, many thanks


1 comment:

Tawana said...

What an interesting couple.