Wednesday 12th March 2008

Furness Abbey

We have suffered the storms overnight, much the same as many other places throughout the country. Surprisingly, there was brief spell of sunshine this afternoon, so I took the opportunity for a quick visit to Furness Abbey. We pass here every day taking Connie to and from school and she was quite keen for me to get a photo of the abbey whilst the daffodils are in full bloom. I know, I know - this is not the Lake District nor is it a fell walk, but how could I resist a request like that, especially when the sun was shining?

The impressive remains of an abbey founded by Stephen, later King of England, including much of the east end and west tower of the church, the ornately decorated chapter house and the cloister buildings. Originally of the Savigniac order, it passed to the Cistercians in 1147, and despite damage by Scottish raiders became (after Fountains Abbey) the second most prosperous Cistercian abbey in all England. Set in the ‘vale of nightshade’, the romantic ruins were celebrated by Wordsworth in his Prelude of 1805.

A lovely show of Daffodils.

For any cautious man, a Structure famed
Beyond its neighbourhood, the antique Walls
Of that large Abbey which within the vale
Of Nightshade, to St. Mary's honour built,
Stands yet, a mouldering Pile, with fractured Arch,
Belfry, and Images, and living Trees,
A holy Scene! along the smooth green turf...

William Wordsworth, The Prelude 1805

Magnificent sandstone walls in the late afternoon sun.

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