Bleeding Heart

ART
The painting I have chosen for this blog has been painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Lucas was named after his native town of Kronach in Upper Franconia. He was one of the leading German painters and printmakers of the early 16th century.

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The painting in question is named
"Cupid the Honey Thief".
Cupid got caught putting his hand in the honey pot by the Bees who subsequently stung him. As any child would do he went off crying to his mummy (Venus). He declared through his wailing and sniffling that "No small creature should cause so much pain". But mummy dearest points out that "He too is small and can deliver a sting". I'm not sure if he said "But, Why Mummy"? like most children do when they don't understand something.

This is another of his paintings called "Adam and Eve" and it is a Woodcut
If you would like a more in depth look at Lucas here's a link to the Encyclopaedia.

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BEER
Turns out beery reporter type people think Chocolate stout or Oyster stout style beers are a thing for Valentines day (yes I did trawl the internet for a beer specially for this blog). But you know what if you look hard enough – maybe go to a few different proper beer stores) you may find the perfect one for your valentine this year.
No this beer I have NOT tried, but, if this happens to appear up North I will be purchasing it. Because whilst it doesn't say "We brewed this to make a mint on Valentines day" just like Clinton's cards, it does say, "Hey I really thought about this". That is, if, my bloke was buying beer for me.

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I find it amusing that the boys who have created this beer and many others have been life long friends and when they went on a trip to the Otley Brewery they got drunk and decided to start a brewery. Crafty Devils Brewing Company are from Cardiff.
They have named one of their beers after the Manic Street Preachers song “You love us”. It's an Indian Pale Ale and comes in at 6.5%. If you have tried this beer tell me what you thought, I can't seem to find much on this beer as it is not on their website, I am hoping the Manics haven't asked them to pull the beer.  Here they are on Twitter if you need to ask them for a bottle or two.
And I still think Ricky Edwards is alive!

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COVERED IN WEEDS

Did you know the Bleeding Heart flower is actually a member of the poppy flower? It is also known to some as “Lady-in-a-bath”! Took me awhile to think why, but, if you turn the flower upside down, there you have the Lady in the bath!

It flowers in late Spring early Summer. I bought mine from B&Q last year and it lasted so long, and, then it seemed to give up the ghost. Yes all you people who know my gardening style I made sure all my plants got watered last year. There's no sign of life yet, but, then again it is February and whilst it may have been a warmer wetter Winter than previous years I don't think my potted plants have been fooled into coming out earlier than the normal. Here's hoping mine is still alive.

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MUSINGS – Sweetheart Abbey

Every time we go out for a day trip it always results in going South, but this particular time we decided to go North. After seeing the Baldhikers blog about Sweetheart Abbey I was intrigued and wanted to go and have a look (we also tied it into seeing something else that day).
The abbey was founded in 1273 by Lady Dervorgilla to serve as a memorial to her late husband Lord John Balliol. Not as grand as The Taj Mahal but the sentiment is still as grand and equally as touching.

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But what intrigued me was Lady Dervorgilla had his heart embalmed and placed into an Ivory cask with silver trimmings. And whilst she invited the poor and needy round for Tea there he sat on the dinning table! She died in 1289 and was buried along with her husbands heart in the Abbey. The monks on her passing then renamed the Abbey in her honour to Dulce Cor or Sweetheart Abbey as it's more commonly known.

The Abbey served as a place of worship for 300 years and was built by Cistercian Monks. Prior to it being built in 1270 the Abbots of Furness and Rievaulx Abbey were invited to inspect the site Lady Dervorgilla had chosen for the new Abbey. A perfect setting for the monks of Sweetheart who specialised in agriculture, more specifically sheep farming. They controlled fisheries and were involved in manufacturing salt from sea-water.

The only time I am ever quiet is when I go and visit Abbey's, there is a sense of calmness and contemplation that for me always seems to emanate from these places.

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The story of Lady Dervorgilla reminds me of a story/song I heard once as a Bside on 12” Strangelove song called Ghost Haddock although this story is a little bit more graphic and gruesome. Jeremy used to carry Sarah's eyeballs in his coat pocket. Those of a nervous disposition are better off not listening to the link below.
For those wishing to visit the Abbey here is more about it on Historic Scotland site and follow them on Twitter and Visit Scotland on Twitter.
I mentioned the Baldhiker earlier so here is his Twitter account and Website. His Twitter account currently has his Sweetheart Abbey Blog pinned to the top.