Saturday 6 February 2010

SNOWDROPS AND TOMBSTONES

We always begin to look out for Snowdrops around this time of year and can always be assured of a good display in Duffus Old Churchyard. It amazes me how such delicate little flowers survive in such harsh weather. For better detail click on pictures.
The porch of the ruined church offers shelter to more snowdrops
The boys use a tombstone as a lookout hoping to catch sight of the many rabbits that live here.

Enlarge this picture to read of the tragic loss a family suffered in the 19th century.

The stone above is the one to the left of this shot, it is by no means the only one with such a sad record.



A view of the ruined church and some of the oldest stones.


Inside the church

This little chap sits quite high up on the outside wall, I wonder where he came from. It's good to know that re-cycling went on way back then.

Below are a couple of details of tombstones. I published a blog of this place last year and may have repeated some shots, so if you have seen them already I apologise





10 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh how interesting, Chris. I love old churches and cemeteries.. In that one though, those Snowdrops are just gorgeous. Makes me yearn for spring here --since everything is drab and dreary. We had rain all weekend --and then some snow...

Hugs,
Betsy

Sunny said...

What wonderful and interesting pictures. I am fascinated by old cemeteries and markers. Lovely snowdrops, makes me long for spring.
Sunny :)

George said...

I'm amazed at the hardships families had to suffer as recorded on tombstones in old churchyards. I thoroughly enjoyed this pictures and envy you that you found some blooming flowers this time of the year. Please enjoy them some for me!

Lindy said...

Beautiful images and so nice to see the Snowdrops. I had no idea there could be flowers this early in your part of the world.

Terribly sad account of the one family.

happyone said...

I enjoy walking around old churches and cemeteries. Great photos.

Karen said...

Somehow very moving to see the little snowdrops amongst the graves. The photographs are wonderful. Many thanks.

Haddock said...

Thats a great cemetery.

Linda said...

I think some of my forebears are buried here - they used to live at Inverugie House in the early years of last century. It is all passing out of living memory now.

Such tragic histories - these gravestones always make me cry. There are a few in Rothes cemetery, and my daughter and I get very choked up reading them.

Your snowdrops offset the sadness, however.

Chris said...

Linda
I am very interested to hear about your forebears living at Inverugie House. It is one of our favourite walks up the lane from Hopeman and around the walls of the house. There is such a lot of history in that area and the views back to Hopeman and the sea are great. Next time we are over Rothes way I will make a point of visiting the cemetery.

SquirrelQueen said...

The snowdrops are beautiful and really brighten the area. i am also surprised to see flowers this early.

I always find cemeteries so interesting. There is so much history recorded on the stones but also a lot of sadness.

Judy