No – not the time of year – but our amazing response, in the village, to the appeal that I made at the end of the blog last week. Everyone is so incredibly grateful. One or two people in the village found it hard to believe that the money had ACTUALLY been donated. We, or, I should say, you – the blog readers (and Charlie’s instagram followers) have raised over £5500 in just a few days – which is quite amazing. £17,000 to go!
Some people have been overwhelmingly generous, but each donation, however small, is adding up quickly – and the messages of support have been very warmly read by everyone here.
This link will take you to the just giving page, but for those who would prefer to write a cheque, please could you make these to:
The Parochial Church Council of Littlebredy – and you could send to me c/o Ben Pentreath Ltd., 3 Lamp Office Court, London WC1N 3NF.
We went to a wedding in the village on Friday night, and I can’t say I was feeling on finest form on Saturday morning. Charlie and I took Mavis and Sibyl fora walk and tried (in vain) to blow away the cobwebs. 
Ploughing and drilling has started at last – the sweeping rain of the last few weeks (or even months) seems to have stopped. At last.
Sibyl has comically short legs but likes catching up.
Mavis needs to escape the terrors of a Sibyl attack though.
When we walked back to the village, the sun came out and for the first time in a long time, momentarily, life felt spring-like.
This, by the way, is the stone roof of the church that has sadly disintegrated and needs completely replacing. While the purbeck stone slates are so expensive, the building is so historic, and we can’t really cut corners. It is going to be a very expensive and time-consuming job – later in the summer the entire slopes of the roof you see here will be completely re-roofed, and a series of other vital repairs carried out.
The churchyard is filled with celandines and primroses this week.
And the easter flowers are still doing well inside – the interior is cool and cave-like.
We’ve had a busy weekend of this, and that – meeting up with lovely Australian blog reader Nicola Lawrence, (who will be known to many Australian blog readers, I am sure, for her brilliant business bringing European and English fine fabrics to the Aussie and New Zealand market (nicolalawrence.com.au) – Nicola and Peter were passing through the West Country…. then a family party for my Dad’s birthday – and some friends over for lunch today. Fun, if a little exhausting! Did I forget to pick up my camera? I did.
And then, from Florence today, Bridie sent me this FABULOUS photo. 
One for the collection of stacking plastic chairs. Heaven.
That’s it for me, tonight – a small blog, but the most heartfelt thank you for the incredible donations, and messages, both here, and on the just giving page.
Thank you, and have a great week to come.
