Wednesday 16 March 2016

Great Missenden

It was a beautiful weekend in Great Missenden and despite being there to work at Missenden Abbey, I did manage a couple of early morning walks and a half hour out over lunchtime on Saturday. There are several longer walks around the area that I try to do in the summer, but given only a limited time one of my favourite places to stroll is up to the church.


On the top of a hill, it has views out over the village and the surrounding area. I have been going to Missenden Abbey for about 17 years now, initially as a student but since 2005 as a tutor.  When I first used to go, it was a rare treat to spot a Red Kite but now I feel disappointed if I don't see one. They were out in abundance over the weekend, soaring over the church yard.


I took time to appreciate the view... which looks a little misty here but is quite beautiful


And there was time to wander around the church yard. I have a fondness for church yards and like to read the headstones and imagine the lives gone before. The church yard at St Peter and St Paul in Great Missenden is always well kept with lots of fresh flowers particularly on one special grave, that of Roald Dahl.


There is also a circular bench around a tree, where I like to sit . Each seat has the name of one of Roald Dahl's children engraved on it and there is a beautiful inscription from "The Giraffe, The Pelly and Me" on the flagstones...

“We have tears in our eyes
As we wave our goodbyes,
We so loved being with you, we three.
So do please now and then
Come and see us again,
The Giraffe and the Pelly and me..."

I admit this has brought a tear to my eye before now.


Walking back down to the Abbey, there are beautiful cottages,


With lovely window boxes and flower pots. It is a very well kept village.


And of course Great Missenden is also home to the Roald Dahl museum. I have never visited as I have always felt I should perhaps have a small child to go with me, but I will one day. His stories were always such favourites with my boys and I have great memories of reading them over and over again. As well as listening to them on cassette tapes in the car. The BFG was a particular favourite, with his wonderful made up words.


It really was a flushbunkingly gloriumptious weekend!

13 comments:

  1. It is a lovely place, we looked at a house there once. I wouldn't have minded living there at all.

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  2. What a lovely post. Beautiful scenery reminding me of where I grew up a few miles away. The poem by his children was so moving. Perfect weather to enjoy it all.

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  3. I don't think we have ever stopped in Gt Missenden but we go through it fairly frequently!

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  4. Glad you had a great weekend! I didn't know that was where Roald Dahl lived. Lovely that you got out for a walk. xx

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  5. What lovely views. I'd love to go to the Roald Dahl museum, but like you I kind of assume I'm need a small child to justify it!

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  6. I've never visited Great Missenden. It sounds lovely.

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  7. Thanks Gina for a look at an area I keep hearing about but will never visit.This is what I love about blog friends,we see different parts of the world.

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  8. It all sounds so lovely Gina, so much to see and enjoy, personally I would have been thrilled with the red kite, I've never seen one in the wild.
    V x

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  9. What a beautiful place, I've never been there and didn't know that Roald Dahl was buried there, I think I'll have to visit there one day, thanks so much for sharing your photos.

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  10. I love Roald Dahl. He has always been a favourite. I didn't realise he had a museum! Great Missenden sounds intriguing. Another one for my list. B X

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  11. If I ever make it to your side of the worls I will go with you to the Roald Dahl museum and be as childish as needed !

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  12. Well, huh! I just always assumed Roald Dahl was buried in Wales. Where did that come from??? Apparently I need to read up on it! On of my favorite Roald Dahl books is The Twits. Although, it's hard to pick a favorite -- what a creative genius! Thanks for posting Gina -- very interesting!!!

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  13. It is one of my ambitions to visit the Roald Dahl museum, and I would have no compunction whatsoever in going without children (though my youngest, at almost 14, would still like to go too). I am the woman who went to see JK Rowling in the early days of Harry Potter (about book 3, I think). I was the only unaccompanied adult there, and endured endless teasing from my workmates at the time, but she was marvellous, and I am always so glad I went. X

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