I Am In Beatrix Potter Heaven

Our day began with a drive around at about ten to ten a.m. looking for a church to attend. We found one that seemed like ours at home, but would have had to kill time until eleven. Then we saw people going into an old church down the road, and joined in with them. I was a bit panicked when the Minister suggested that those of us with children may like to take advantage of the crèche, where the kids would not be heard, but we would still be able to hear them. A stark contrast to home, so the kids were told in very firm whispers that there was to be no talking. Eliza seems to struggle with this concept. She starts to ask a question, so you put your finger over her lips and whisper to her that she will have to ask you later. You remove your finger and she picks up where she left off. As for Sam, well, those of you that know him would also know that quiet is not a volume he is familiar with - but in his defense he was really good and kept busy with his pencils.
What is it with the pencils. I mean, why do we give out activity packs to kids when they enter a service these days when there is not going to be any Sunday School? At what point did we decide that children were incapable of sitting quietly for an hour? I mean, i am not saying that your average three year old would find it easy...but maybe that is because it is never expected of them. Reflect with me- do you think that Jesus and his mates were handed some paprus when they entered the Synagogue and told to doodle while the Rabbi taught??!! I don't think so! In fact by the time they were 12 they had to know the Talmud by heart....and our kids struggle to remember the Lords Prayer! When did we decide that kids were dumb? is that why we have stopped trying to teach them things - NO. I think that we are afraid of putting them off of God or something! Meanwhile we struggle into church laden with museli bars and biscuits, pencils and toys,...and therein lies the dumbness. I wonder if I will manage it all any differently?


The service was very formal, and all from an order of service. It would be an interesting parenting exercise, if I had to stay in that environment – no yelling. Mmmm. The kids would probably like to try it. The prayers are of course heartfelt if you make them so, and the sermon relevant and interesting, and yet, it really wasn’t until nearly the end when they left the liturgy and invited some people up to share a notice, and look at pictures that the kids had coloured in, that I breathed out and relaxed a bit. The lady behind us was talking to Eliza and seemed very excited when she said to me, “Your daughter says you are from Australia, Is that right?” When I replied that yes it was, and answered her next question, that we lived in Adelaide, she was most excited to say that her daughter lived in Adelaide. She and her husband had emigrated a few years back. They live at Somerton park, so a familiar part of the woods. Such a small world, it is almost cramped.
Now, to those of you who don’t know – I am a huge Beatrix Potter fan. Need proof? Eliza’s middle name is Beatrix and it isn’t a family name; catch my drift. In fact, I learnt today that Beatrix’s real name is Helen, which is extra lovely, as that is the name of my mother. Eliza is most obviously and derivative of Elizabeth, which is Shane’s Mum’s name, and now there is a link to Helen, my mum, as well. Is there? Maybe not. Maybe this is stretching it. It will mean as much to me, anyway.
When Lilli was born we decorated the nursery in blue and yellow, with Peter Rabbit stickers on the walls, and fabric in the wardrobe, change table and windows. Oh how I wish I could have visited here, then, where today, in Bowness alone, we found four shops stocking the brand. I could have had a peter Rabbit guard around the light switch, Peter Rabbit name plaque on the door, Jemima Puddleduck rug on the floor, Miss Tiggywinkle Clock, and Jeremy fisher cushions. There are book marks, place mats, cutlery, bowls, cups and plates, smocks, bags and books. Key rings, soft toys, fabrics, rugs and outfits. Oh my. It is delightful. Her Illustrations are by far her magic. The stories she told are secondary to her drawings, and in fact were often only put together to accompany her pictures. She was a talented artist already at age eight. She was also a clever marketer, patenting the Peter Rabbit doll, board games, slippers herself, back in the early 1900’s. As well as that, she was a passionate conservationist, and the National Trust were left about 1400 Hectares of Lakes District land on her death, with numerous farms included.
Tomorrow we pick up my cousin Lee-anne, from the train station. She will be coming up from London. Meanwhile, another cousin, Katie, is heading to Scotland with her traveling buddy, Kylie. We will all converge on Windemere together, and I look very much forward to visiting the sights with them. On the cards will be the Beatrix Potter Gallery, and her home at Hill Top Farm. We are also looking into the prices involved with hiring our own boat, in order to spend a day out on the lake. Reception here is not good, so the entries may come in bursts as I write and save them, and then publish when I can.