Hello everyone

[Jean Ward]

At last I have managed to get in with the help of Linda, "Thank you Linda"

I found my first "Tangye book" in the 80's, it was reading the information on the back cover of the book that caught my interest. The book was "Sun on the Lintel" I couldn't believe anyone could write of nature as it truly was, it was like being in the author's shoes, seeing, feeling, in fact living such a beautiful dream. The simplicity of the way of life was so very refreshing, yet it was in fact a reality, which made it all the more wonderful.

From then on, you guessed it... I was down at my local library searching for anything with the "Tangye" name to it.

Myself and my husband actually got down the lane to the cottage the year Derek died. I called at the top of the lane and went into the shop where I was told the sad news. However, I was informed that it was still possible at that time to get down the lane to Oliver Land.

Myself and my husband walked down the lane and came to the cottage, of course it looked just as special as the books described it, at the time, there were some workmen in the lane putting in a couple of telegraph poles... I can imagine how Derek would have thought about that happening on his beloved grounds. However, that day was very special for us, there were some roses that had such a strong beautiful smell, the birds were singing their little hearts out. We walked around and around Oliver Land, not wishing to ever leave it, as I am sure most feel the same when they have been in the area.

Nature and especially animals have been a large part of my life, I no longer have my two cats, Chinsley and Jasmine sadly, however, for the moment, I have just enjoyed the summer months with the company of so many birds... prior to having lost my beloved cats, the birds kept their distance because Jasmine was a determined hunter, whilst Chinsley was content to just watch them. I have my Minack books which I read over and over as I am sure we all do. I am pleased the Friends Of Minack Society has been formed, it seems somehow to keep alive that special spirit that minack has and always will have. So thank you to everyone for that.

I live in the East Midlands around the Charnwood Forest area, I have four grown children and ten grandchildren, so as you see, I am kept busy.

I look forward to finding my way around the site and meeting you all.

Kind Regards,

Jean :D

[Linda]

Welcome Jean!
What a wonderful introduction. You certainly have got your hands full...ten grandchildren...

Oh! yes you have described so well how we all feel. Especially that first visit. There's a magic around Minack that is not felt anywhere else...and it pulls you back again and again.

I am sorry you didnt get to meet Derek but in a way you have ..through his books...which really are a reflection of him. Sometimes you read between the lines and there is another Derek peeking through and you can smile when you do see that.

Sun on a Lintel is a lovely book and it makes me think more of the seasons since reading it. I would love to have seen the sun creeping round it as the year progresses.....so I now watch it as it passes over our kitchen window ..how blinded we are, early summer mornings with a dazzling yellowsun that's already risen in the sky, against those of Autumn when can watch it rise, colours of gold, red, orange ~ against a pale blue sky.

Hope you enjoy the forum, I am sure you will, if there is anything you need help with please just ask, no standing on ceremony here!

kind regards
Linda and Jeff

[gloria townsin]

Happy to meet another Minack devotee. Thank you Jean for your super intro, always fascinating to hear how others found their way to Derek, Jeannie and the Chronicles. :)

[Jean Ward]

Thank you to Linda, Jeff and Gloria for the welcome, I feel at home already, I am still working my way around the site so that I will become familiar with it all.

Today... beautiful sun, golden, bronze and ochre colours on the leaves on the trees across in the wood here... wonderful calm sky giving one a true feel of true peace and security.

Jean.

[Kath Mulligan]

Hello Jean

Lovely to meet you here on the forum. You already sound exactly on our "wavelength" - something you will find cropping up umpteen times on here. What a pity you found your way to Minack just too late to meet Derek, but I think we all of us feel that we knew both him and Jeannie, regardless of whether we actually met him in the flesh or not, because his books were so alive. I made my way to Minack via the Lamorna coastal path way back in 1985 and was lucky enough to meet and talk with him, although I didn't meet Jeannie unfortunately.

You live about 2 hours south of me, I'm from North Derbyshire and have a niece who lives just outside Loughborough.

Look forward to getting to know you better over the coming months.

Kath

[nashie]

Hi Jean
Thanks for the lovely intro and a warm welcome from Mim and I to the forum. I hope you enjoy it as much as everyone else does. Look forward to hearing more from you.