Pilgrim's Inn (The Herb of Grace): Week 2

Goudge Readalong December 2023

A thatched home in the New Forest that has the gracious feeling of the Herb of Grace. Photo by Boutique Retreats

“It’s so safe,” said Annie-Laurie. “Seeing it that day from the river - well - you know what it looks like from the river, towering up above that grey wall. I thought that morning - one could be safe there.”

🍂 Elizabeth Goudge, Pilgrim’s Inn (The Herb of Grace), ch 6

We have finally moved into our Pilgrim’s inn and what a place it is! The Eliots are captivated by it, even the reluctant ones. Eventually, even the reluctant Nadine knows that this is the break that they all need after the difficult war years.

In my searching around the New Forest area for this read-along, I found this fabulous picture of a cottage in the New Forest area. I can easily see Nadine lounging in her deck chair behind this house.

It’s very interesting to read the description by Boutique Retreats:

“Undercastle Cottage wears every season like a dream, but autumn is our favourite of all. Magic resides here; treasure thatched cottage moments in the heart of the New Forest.”

Goudge was very familiar with what they then called “nervous breakdown” as she had been hospitalized more than once because of it. After her father’s death, she found her restoration at her own “Damerosehay” in the Key Haven Marshes. But it is in the magical heart of the New Forest that David begins to find his restoration.

Light from the east

I love that the last lines of chapter 9 are about David’s efforts through his extreme distress to look east, which is full of spiritual symbolism: