We crossed over to Historic Houses, the first bridge - this one over the Wye
Flourishing our Christmas gift cards, a new membership
Already won over by the warmth of roasted beans, and that froth
We made tentative steps up to the entrance of Haddon Hall
I stalled at the first hurdle, unchecked camera settings equals noise
Then stepped back into the Middle Ages, worn down by footfall over centuries
Texture and strong materials hewn from the Peaks and beyond
Rubbing shoulders with shimmering reflected light
And candles, lots of candles
Many hands warmed at the fire
Ancient textiles keeping the drafts at bay in corners
A gift from a King
With the deep hues of heavy hard-worked threads lording over the yellow stone
Interiors to rival lesser colour inspos
A Grand Hall with the perfect scale for a festive choir
Leading singalongs with 5 Gold Rings!
A finale of Merlot and Prune Dumplings
It will suffice - a perfect capsule of retrospective and enduring Christmas spirit
Rosalind O’Dell
