Looking Beyond Eden Rock

| Jane @ Stumbling Beyond Eden Rock

Some time ago I wrote:

I seem to be finding my way around that health bump in the road. That journey isn’t over yet but I think that the worst if it is behind me, and that I can find my way back to a level path.

I am still here.

You may be wondering why I have been very quiet since then.

It is because I have seen a little more of the road ahead now, and it is very different from the road I was travelling on before I hit that bump.

It is very treacherous, it slopes downwards, and the end of the road is not as far off as I had thought and hoped it would be.

That is why we have to part company, because I am not as strong as I was, and I have to simplify my life to be able to more forward.

It is a terrible wrench, I will miss all of this and all of you more than I can say, but it has to be done.

I wanted to close the door on this place properly, and let nobody think that it was thoughtlessly abandoned. It will still be here, in case anyone wants to visit and look around.

You may see me in other places from time to time, but not here.

I can’t see the end of the road, because it is shrouded in mist. I hope that is still quite far ahead, and I am hoping that when I get there events might play out a little like this:

They are waiting for me somewhere beyond Eden Rock:
My father, twenty-five, in the same suit
Of Genuine Irish Tweed, his terrier Jack
Still two years old and trembling at his feet.

My mother, twenty-three, in a sprigged dress
Drawn at the waist, ribbon in her straw hat,
Has spread the stiff white cloth over the grass.
Her hair, the colour of wheat, takes on the light.

She pours tea from a Thermos, the milk straight
From an old H.P. sauce-bottle, a screw
Of paper for a cork; slowly sets out
The same three plates, the tin cups painted blue.

The sky whitens as if lit by three suns.
My mother shades her eyes and looks my way
Over the drifted stream. My father spins
A stone along the water. Leisurely,

They beckon to me from the other bank.
I hear them call, ‘See where the stream-path is!
Crossing is not as hard as you might think.’
I had not thought that it would be like this.

Eden Rock, by Charles Causely (1917 to 2003)


‘Godreavey Lighthouse’ by Bob Rudd
(My lovely Briar adored this beach)

42 thoughts on “Looking Beyond Eden Rock”

  3. Jane, you will be missed here so much. Thank you for the books we have shared and the authors you have introduced me to. I am sending best wishes and prayers. I know you are taking good care.

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  4. This makes me so sad. I will miss you very much. I didn’t always comment but I liked your posts so much. I don’t know what else to say.

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  6. My absolute favourite poem, and the one I have chosen for my end.

    My heart goes out to you. I’ve loved your postings.

    Good luck.

    Liz Xxx

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  8. Dear Jane, you will be missed so very much as others have said. It was thanks to you that I discovered Margery Sharp, who has become a great joy in my life, so thank you very much for that gift. I am sure your blog has gifted similar joys to others too. Take good care, xx

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  9. You’ve brought us so many joys! I will come back here to remind myself of all the books we’ve shared or that I’ve wanted to discover. We will miss you, and I will be thinking of you and holding you in my heart.

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  12. Thank you can for inspiring me to read different books to what I normally read . Also thank you for encouraging me to use my library. Sending my best wishes for your journey ahead. I shall miss you .

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  13. This is so heartbreaking! Will miss you and your lovely posts! You were one of my first blog followers when I joined the blogging community. All the best in the journey ahead!

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  14. I grieve for you that you must give this up, and that the road seems downward. I hope for you that the coming journey is going perhaps to go better than you’ve been led to imagine the probability. I’ve enjoyed your blog and your presence on the Internet. You will be missed.

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  15. Dear Jane, I am so very sorry to read this and sincerely hope that the mist clears on the path ahead and the outlook becomes brighter.
    I have loved your blog. I have read countless book recommended by you and have so enjoyed reading your words.
    Thank you for your joy you have brought here, your presence will be much missed and I send you much love, Deborah

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  16. I have enjoyed your posts long before I started to engage with blogs and will miss your generous and perceptive voice on books and art. All I can do is echo the many others who wish you the best on your journey and to thank you for sharing your insights and warm heart.

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  17. This makes me very sad. Thank you very much for all yous posts. You’ll be in my prayers and thoughts.

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  18. Dear Jane, I will miss you and your thoughtful posts. There are so many books and authors that you’ve guided me to — Patricia Wentworth, D. E. Stevenson, Margery Sharp’s adult books, and many more. Although I’m not a knitter, I always enjoyed the peeks into your process and final results. And I loved the glimpses into life in Cornwall by the sea and your past adventures with Briar. Wishing you all the best and hoping you are still finding books to enjoy along the way. Thank you for generously sharing your perspective with us.

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  19. I will miss you and your thoughtful, entertaining and beautiful posts. I so enjoyed meeting you that one time, and loved seeing glimpses of your life in a place I have spent many happy weeks over the years. Wishing you the love of those around you and the strength to see out the challenges, and sending you much love.

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  20. Jane, I will miss your thoughtful, insightful posts. You have introduced me to many wonderful books. Your blog has always been a lovely place to visit. All the very best for the road ahead, I will be thinking of you. Take Care xx

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  21. Jane, I will greatly miss you and your presence in the bookish world. Take very good care xxx

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  22. This makes me so sad, Jane – I will miss you very much. Your blog introduced me to so many good books, and I am so grateful for it! I am sending you my thoughts and prayers.

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  23. I feel I am parting from an old friend. Thank you so much Jane for all the years of blogging I have enjoyed.

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  26. I’ll miss you and your lovely blog, Jane. You’ve introduced me to so many great books and authors over the years. I’m thinking of you and wishing you all the best on your road ahead. Take care xx

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  27. Jane, you will be dearly missed – your voice in the blogging world is unique and special. I pray that the road ahead is longer and gentler than it looks at the moment x

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  28. Oh! Jane I understand but I cannot help saying that I will miss you soooooo much! One of my first and favourite friends in the blog world, you introduced me to so many authors I would have never known of it was not for you! You have supported me through difficult times and were always there with a kind word and a hopeful , helpful insight! I will miss you terribly but I wish you the best of everything in the road ahead. Loads of love and good wishes!

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  29. I’m a latecomer to your blog, Jane, and immediately felt I’d met a kindred spirit. I’m very sad to read your gentle farewell. Like others here, I hope the road ahead stretches further than you anticipate, and runs as smoothly as possible, for you and for those you love. I’m thinking about you and sending thanks for past pleasures and warmest wishes for the future.

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  30. I shall miss you here but in my life you will be ever present like a favourite book on the shelf, always there to be admired and taken down and held tightly in my hands. Thank you for opening my world to so many different authors, for showing me your wonderful knitting (and making me so jealous or your intricate creations) and for adding so much to my experiences. Don’t forget the stardust you sprinkled on all our lives and be proud that you did that for us. Walk forward with pride and determination knowing you have an army of admirers with you along the way. Heartfelt love and good wishes.

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  31. Dear Jane, you will be very sorely missed. Your beautifully written reviews and ‘collection’ posts have been a joy to read over the years – thank you so much for those. I wish you strength and courage for the road ahead and sincerely hope that it turns out to be longer and less painful than it might appear at the moment. Take care, and very best wishes, Jacqui X

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  32. Jane, I’m so sorry to read this but thankful that you have shared it with us and thankful for all you have shared on your blogs over the years. I have learned so much from your posts. Please take the greatest care of yourself. Who knows, perhaps one day I will be walking along the seafront in Hayle and pass you quietly, maybe resting on a bench and enjoying the sun. I pray you will be doing so for a long while to come. ❤️️ x

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  35. Whatever the journey ahead holds for you please know that your literary musings, rediscovery of long forgotten writers and joy in the landscape around you have been appreciated and given pleasure to so many people around the world.
    From an Antipodean reader and admirer.

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  36. Dear Jane, you have created a beautiful place here and your writing has touched me many times. Your voice and presence will be missed but what you have given will live on in the hearts of your readers.

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  37. Dear Jane, I have enjoyed your reviews and feel sad that I didn’t know you better. Wherever your journey takes you I hope you find the strength to make it and many blessings along the way. And:

    “May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand”

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  38. Jane, I am praying for you, your family, extended family and friends. Know this Dear One: You have knitted the Universe together. It will not be unraveled. That is a great, great accomplishment. Sending all love and prayers to you!

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