The XMTSAS 'Saltire' visits the coast and an ancient church

[Hamish]

To continue the story..............

Having thawed out, but wishing we had brought a flask of hot, thick soup with us from Bicknell Grange (Old S-----m, my wrinkled retainer, failing in his duties again. He had his annual day off - what more does he want?!) I decided to take The 'Saltire' to see our wee parish church on the way home.

A word of explanation here: although my postal address is Storrington, Bicknell Grange is actually within the parish of Sullington, which is as close as one can get to Storrington without actually sitting on its lap! Sullington is not a village, it is an area without a focal point really. The ancient church of the parish is curiously situated in the middle of a farm next to the Manor House and a mile off the road!

The church itself is of Saxon origin, dating from circa 1050 with Norman and slightly later additions. The two Yew trees in the churchyard are over 900 years old:



There are two Tythe Barns behind the church and on the farm, which were built in the 17th Century are are still very much in use today.

The interior of the church, being so far from any traffic, is a haven of peace and tranquility:





I had no idea The 'Saltire' was musically inclined, but when it saw the church's tiny organ it expressed a desire to play. However, the wooden cover to the keyboard was locked and so any hopes of a rendition of Bach's Toccata and Fugue were dashed:



Outside in the sunshine again, we were posing for a final photograph on the churchyard wall:



....when we spotted the sign giving the times of services, and noticed immediately that the colouring was identical to that of The 'Saltire'. How's THAT for perfect colour co-ordination?



The visit to my parish church concluded, it was but a short dash back to Bicknell Grange for some warming crumpet (!) and tea by the fireside.

Knowing that first thing in the morning the little airship would be winging its way back across the Atlantic Ocean and crossing the North American continent to familiar San Jose, a sad evening ensued as we chatted over the events of the past week, and spoke of all that we could have seen and done had the weather been kinder. Another time, perhaps.

To be concluded...........

Take care,
Ham.

[Une]

To continue the story..............

Having thawed out, but wishing we had brought a flask of hot, thick soup with us from Bicknell Grange (Old S-----m, my wrinkled retainer, failing in his duties again. He had his annual day off - what more does he want?!) I decided to take The 'Saltire' to see our wee parish church on the way home.

A word of explanation here: although my postal address is Storrington, Bicknell Grange is actually within the parish of Sullington, which is as close as one can get to Storrington without actually sitting on its lap! Sullington is not a village, it is an area without a focal point really. The ancient church of the parish is curiously situated in the middle of a farm next to the Manor House and a mile off the road!

The church itself is of Saxon origin, dating from circa 1050 with Norman and slightly later additions. The two Yew trees in the churchyard are over 900 years old:



There are two Tythe Barns behind the church and on the farm, which were built in the 17th Century are are still very much in use today.

The interior of the church, being so far from any traffic, is a haven of peace and tranquility:





I had no idea The 'Saltire' was musically inclined, but when it saw the church's tiny organ it expressed a desire to play. However, the wooden cover to the keyboard was locked and so any hopes of a rendition of Bach's Toccata and Fugue were dashed:



Outside in the sunshine again, we were posing for a final photograph on the churchyard wall:



....when we spotted the sign giving the times of services, and noticed immediately that the colouring was identical to that of The 'Saltire'. How's THAT for perfect colour co-ordination?



The visit to my parish church concluded, it was but a short dash back to Bicknell Grange for some warming crumpet (!) and tea by the fireside.

Knowing that first thing in the morning the little airship would be winging its way back across the Atlantic Ocean and crossing the North American continent to familiar San Jose, a sad evening ensued as we chatted over the events of the past week, and spoke of all that we could have seen and done had the weather been kinder. Another time, perhaps.

To be concluded...........

Take care,
Ham.

Amazing adventures of the little Saltire from you & Derek, l am just worn out looking at all the photos, just a shame the weather was not warmer, for you,
Some wonderful memories of the lovley summers day we spent with you thanks.

[Hamish]

Lovely pics, Hamish, but do you have any snow lying down your way?

No Alex. Sadly, no snow at all. We did wake to the thinnest covering one morning last week, not even ¼" deep, but it had thawed before I finished breakfast! It has been dry and very, very cold this past week, that's all.

Take care,
Ham.

[cessna152towser]

Anither guid gangin threid, Hamish.
The excellent hosting of the Saltire by Derek in Wales and Hamish in England will be a hard act to beat when the Saltire visits Scotland.

[English Bloke]

What a lovely church. Thanks for showing us Hamish.

[7 miles]

Please keep the wonderful pictures coming i love these tours. It is like being there but yet enjoying my comfy office chair

[Derek]

Fab pics again Ham ...
Iechyd Da
Derek

[fudgeman]

Entertaining as always. Great pics as well. Thanks for sharing.

[The Vicar]

Hamish thank you for sharing your photos.

The church is what really caught my eye. I am always interested in church architecture.

It looks strong and yet you have captured the peacefulness of the church itself.

Thanks again,

"V"

Have a safe trip to the USA

[McClef]

More great pictures of the Saltire's last couple of days before flying back to California Hamish!

I should point out that my visit was back in the 1980s when you could also buy Dayville's ice cream in Iceland freezer centres also.