The Whitaker children know this stone wall. They know the gate, too. It marks the edge of Mr. Brown’s farm, and if he happens to be outside when the Whitakers pass, they are sure to stop.
Mr. Brown is getting too old for the long walk to chapel. His farm still needs tending, though, and there is always something to mend, feed, or put right.So the Whitakers bring him a little news from the road.
Who has been seen in Hexham? What is the weather doing? Who has been unwell? And, most importantly, what was posted on the parish bulletin?
Mr. Brown has plenty of news of his own. He might tell Rance about a cow that found its way through a broken fence. Or he might have heard something about a neighbor before anyone else has.
The children don’t mind stopping. After all, a walk to chapel is not only about getting there. Sometimes the best part of the journey is finding out what happened while you were away.
A Neighbor’s News
Before the Whitakers continue on their way, they promise to bring Mr. Brown the latest parish news when they return.
Then the gate swings shut, and the walk continues.
Welcome to Peckles-Wood Shire — Where every child’s imagination runs… one time or another.
Continue the adventure with the Broken Sanctuary novel, the first journey into the world of Peckles-Wood Shire. Then discover collectibles and keepsakes inspired by the Whitaker family’s adventure.
Back to The Walk to The Chapel →
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The Illustrator’s Vision—The maps and illustrations of Peckles-Wood Shire are inspired by the real landscapes, places, and traditions of Victorian Northumberland. Created for The Chronicles of Peckles-Wood Shire, they blend historical research with imagination to bring the world of Broken Sanctuary to life and invite young explorers to step into the Whitaker family’s adventure of 1885.
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