12x10 inch, plein air, oil on canvas, I may tidy this up......or maybe not..(:o)
16th April 2019
The route to Kirby Underdale was convoluted, meandering and exploratory. It lead me to an area known as Painsthorpe. I stopped on a steep hill, by a field full of sheep and small lambs which had black ears and black legs. I then maneuvered the car managing to park near a field gate. I had noticed a footpath sign nearby which led into a field full of golden celandine, where I took George for a minor adventure. The path climbed up through the empty field and towards a large, attractive house, where, before setting off, a couple had returned, on foot. The man was carrying, at first glance, a rucksack, and I could not quite make out but, I thought he was holding a small child, a baby in his arms. As he turned to enter the gated driveway, complete with cattle grid ( for sheep I suspect ) I noticed the rucksack was in fact, a child carrier. He had a small child in the rucksack on his back. As they walked along a beautiful border collie escorted them, off it's lead but under control. We carried on through the field, stopping to look at a small lake below when suddenly, my attention was grabbed. Was the a starling? Was it a blackbird?
Then I realised it was the first swallow of the year.
Soon, several more swooped and danced through the air, pirouetting and leaping as if shouting for joy that they had made the long trip back. I will look out for my favourite visitor next, the magical, mysterious, screaming swifts. We walked on through a small farmstead and back to the car. The views from this spot were a little hazy, the air was suffering from a touch of cold mist from a sea roque or sea haar, according to one local man, who said it was often the case here. So I moved downhill. It was more sheltered and the view of the house with the curving road looked possible. So I quickly set up and started painting. The blackthorn full of white blossom emphasises the seasonality of the view. I stopped, to look up when I heard a strangely distant sound. It reminded me of a bird I have not seen for a long time. Then I saw two large birds, pointed wings, for a split second my mind turned to some kind of hawk. However as they passed nearby it was obvious what they were. A beautiful pair of curlews, with their distinctive long curved beak. In this area of small fields and deep dense hedges birdlife is varied. Yellowhammers, chaffinches, bullfinches, kestrels, moorhens and many others could be seen especially an inquisitive 'badger bird' as I call them, a coal tit, with its black and white striped head. As I painted a couple ambled past with their dog 'Charlie' a very handsome chow. George was a little confused by Charlie who was very hairsuit as well as very inquisitive with a wonderful nature.
In the grounds of the featured house, on a high mound, close to the road is a large wooden structure with a timber apex roof covering. It stands tall, perhaps fifteen feet, with a cross member high up. It is a crucifix and has a figurine of Jesus in the classic crucified position. It seems a little odd to see it where it is. Though, perhaps at this time, with Easter weekend approaching, it is appropriate. Not far away in the village of Kirby Underdale there is another scene of the crucifixion. It makes me wonder what is the significance. This area is, even now rather isolated and perhaps remained a secret Catholic area after Henry VIII's reign. Or, perhaps the landlord of the area, Earl Halifax's family were or are or had sympathies with Catholism, but I have no idea.
Perhaps someone could let me know a little more?
Thanks to Bill and Dot for answering my question.
The following information is an explanation involvinga a short lived Abbey at Painsthorpe.
The building details
Picture of a monk at Painsthorpe Abbey with brief note.
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