The Arrival of Spring

In Episode Three, "The Rhythms of the Earth," we hear the chimes on the church tower ring, and the organ playing. As the rector walks outside, followed by his parishioners, we realize that the Sunday morning service has just ended. 

Here he shakes hands with old Ned, who has kindly agreed to perform some maintenance on the large church clock. Audrey and her friend Marjory are happy to see old Ned, but Audrey in particular has noticed the absence of Richard Devere, the new lord of the manor.

So after asking old Ned to call by the old Lodge, and take a look at her grandfather clock, she heads off to the manor, to acquaint Richard with his lordly duties. 

There she informs him that there is no time for him to gradually grow accustomed to life in the country. Spring has arrived, and there are any number of tasks he must get started on immediately.

On the day we arrived at St. Thomas Church, the clock on the church tower was keeping accurate time. It was good to see that Old Ned, or his successor, still kept the clock in good repair.

One thing I never realized was how far the entrance is from the church door. I love the way the covered entryway extends out, and the masonry opens outward, ushering you to step in out of the elements, before entering the covered walkway. This gives the church a nice welcoming feeling, which I always sensed before when I saw it on TV. Now I know why.

Spring had well and truly arrived at the manor when we visited, and the landscape looked beautifully maintained. Evidently Audrey's pep talk to Richard proved profitable. Grantleigh Manor always looked like such a beautiful place to visit on TV. I was pleased to find it even more beautiful than I had imagined.

Dragon Dave