OOnce again the Holiday is upon us and everyone gets caught up in the hustle and bustle of the times. But there was once a time when life was less rushed and there was time to enjoy the simplicity, beauty and joy of the season. Come along for a trip to the fantasy shire of Heathmoore where everyone is getting ready for the big night.

SoHeathmoore llies in the hill country just a couple of hours from old London. The village and countryside have roots far back into the early days of Anglo-Saxon England. None other than Alfred the Great granted the original charter to Lord Uthred of Heath who first built a church and then his fortress castle to protect his lands. Uthred's descendants still live in the castle and continue to look after the citizens of the commuity. Heathmoore Castle stands on a rocky point where, from the tower of the old keep, one still gets a grand view of the countryside, Fall River and the Village of Heathmore.

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The family has maintained the traditional Lord's Domain with forests filled with wildlife. .

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and created a beautiful, private garden on the castle grounds.

Note the Royal Lions along the walls, showing the family ties to England's historic kings.

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The original church built by Lord Uthred more than 1000 years ago is long gone, but several pillars of the old church still stand on the site. Here also is the family cemetery of the Heathmore family. A small, humble church currently stands on the old hillock.

The Shire of Heathmoore

Traveling the old lane is still the only way to arrive at Heathmoore. It is not paved but the locals maintain the road where it fronts their lands. For such an isolated village a fair number of people travel to Heathmoore to obtain some of its storied products.

One of the oldest village families is the Cobbs who have managed a fishery and raised geese for centuries. Geese are known to make excellent watch "dogs" but it seems that Sydney, the current four legged guard, has her own idea about who should guard the property.

There is always lots to do, what with roof repair, wood cutting and preparing the day's catch. Two of the boys seem to be taking a break and enjoying the warmth of the fire while their fish cooks.

Just beyond the Cobb residence is the lane leading to the Fraiser's cattle and chicken farm. The Fraisers have been raising Holstein cattle with a mix of Jersey cows for years.

Their chickens are known throughout the shire for the size and quality of their eggs.

The fame of Fraiser eggs seems to have spread far and wide. I can see that someone decided to stop by for some fresh eggs for dinner.

LLet's stroll up the lane toward the monastery.

While these lands are not widely known for the production of wines, the Murphy family has been raising grapes and making a fine local wine for generations. Many folks come all the way from London to make annual purchases. The family has been so successful that a shop has recently been opened in the village.

The Lyton boys have a family run coal mine just outside the district and the boys eagerly bring their coal for sale in Heathmoore. Mrs. Muphy seems to be waiting for a new supply.

Just up the lane from the Murphy's stands the old Camden Monastery. The monks who manage the land are rehearsing their Christmas carols in preparation for the grand Christmas Eve tree lighting at midnight.

They also follow Saint Benedict's rule and are not idle. The garden inside the monastery walls is a real beauty, it even has a natural cascade built into landscape.

As we head back down the lane toward the main road to Heathmoore we will pass the McShane Cottage. England is known for the fine woolens made throughout the realm and Heathmoore is no exception. The McShanes' raise their own sheep and weave fine cloth from the wools.

As you can see, lambing is hard work.

DuDuring the summer growing season both the McShanes and the Fraisers work the upper meadows to raise fodder for their livestock. The young Thomas seems to be still hard at work stacking the cut grass for drying.

The newest resident to the Shire is the Earl of Sheffield. About a hundred years ago the first Earl fell in love with one of the Heathmoore daughters who, while she loved the young earl greatly, would just not move to the cold northlands. The Earl build a lavish manor house on the cliff near Mirror Lake to accomadate his lady love.

TThe manor's bulk helps protect the high meadow from winds blowing off the lake.

ActActually, from the lake shore one gets a grand view of Heathmore's new church built in the late 1400's and reflected in the quite waters of the lake.

FrFrom the lake, Fall River Cascades roar down to the valley. The lake and the river provide an idyllic setting for both the fauna of the forest and young lovers from the village who want a place to sit and dream of their futures.

LoLovers. . .

The running river providces power for the new distillery in Heathmoore. Ever since the Gin Acts of the mid 1750's the distilling of gin has been a profitable way to dispose of excess grain. The good citizens of Heathmoore have taken to the trade in spirits with a gusto.

IIn the shadow of Castle Heathmoore stands Bailey's Blacksmith Shoppe. John Bailey married one of the Cobb daughters and so naturally moved into the Shire. The Cobbs provided the land next to the river for the horses to stable and the family continues to grow.

We better get off the road as the London Coach is coming. I can hear the horn trumpeting its arrival.

TThere it goes. . .

The coach has arrived at Heathmoore and entered the village. Let's follow the coach inside before the gates close.

Click here to continue into the Village.