Covals

Just searched the dictionary and not found that word.

Where is Coval Road I wonder? I’ve certainly experienced that feeling, for example: sitting in a sunny room looking at the cloud-scape or being driven back from somewhere perhaps on a summer evening, passing through villages and towns. It is a sort of warm inner smile. Not religious but very serene.
Is that the first instance of it being described in the English language? Coval doesn’t sound very inspiring. Surely the great poets must have coined this at sometime or another ?

In this month's edition of 'The Oldie' there are several letters about Covals. They sound lovely and I'd like to experience one.
One letter suggests that Coval Lane us in Chelmsford rather than Great Baddow as had been previously suggested.

I think I had this feeling often after my second son was born (29 yers ago). Is it just lasting for under 30 seconds? If so, I always wondered what it was and have longed for it to occur again.

Interesting Aveline

Only on medication!

Yes, had the feeling you describe three times yesterday but have no recollection of ever having heard that particular word in relation to the sensation.

Lots of times, a feeling of its good to be alive especially when l am sitting near the beach listening to the sea.

It's nice to have a name for that feeling. I'll be looking out now and hope I have one soon.

Yes, Aveline, it is nice to have a name for it. I hope we may all have a Coval moment in the not too distant future ?

I know this area. Coval Lane is a rather uninspiring road of mainly 1950s houses. It leads to the fire station so the sight of handsome fireman might bring about a wash of happiness (in me) and also a large and rather lovely public park so that’s another possibility.

A bit of history that might interest Blossoming and others.

Coval Lane itself is named for nearby Coval Hall, an early 18C house, home for three generations to the Tindal family most famously Sir Nicolas Conyngham Tindal 1776-1846 the celebrated English lawyer who successfully defended Queen Caroline of Brunswick at her trial for adultery in 1820.

The house then came into the ownership of the Quaker Marriage family of millers. You may be familiar with their bread and cake flours.

Nowadays, it is the premises of upmarket land and estate agents Strutt and Parker, two more families with a long history in Essex.

I have been unable to find (yet) why the property was named Coval Hall. The Hall is broadly early 18C but has some earlier 17C features. As the Tindals were lawyers I’m wondering if it is rooted in the phrases core or common values or whether the name goes back to an early period in Quaker history. The Quakers have been holding public meetings of worship in Chelmsford since 1656. Their modern meeting house today only a few hundred metres from Coval Hall. I’m kind of hoping it is the latter because (joking aside about firemen) the peaceful, contemplative nature of the Quaker faith seems to accord rather nicely with what I imagine Coval to be.

That's very interesting Early. Thanks.

very interesting , thanks Early

Have not heard of this word, nor can I find it in the dictionary.

But I will quite often feel unexpected happiness.

GraceQuirrel and others feeling down, I hope you can or look to find joy in small things. The sunshine, birds chirping, a nice cup of tea etc. Joy doesn't always need to be grandiose.

I had a weird coval in the middle of my cancer diagnosis. My emotions were running riot. Up, down, hysterical. Then one morning, I woke up in a patch of sunshine and just felt peace and joy.

Also had a similar experience in a nap when I was in the middle of a bad bout of post chemo sickness. I had a lovely dream about swimming across a bay in Greece (I'd done it years before). It was a joyful dream and I woke up feeling really happy.

Being in the sudience for recordings of Friday Night is Music NIght, sheer joy, wanted to cry

Racking my brains for a possible Coval I suddenly remembered a time during the first lockdown when I quite suddenly felt that I was going to be OK. It was very odd. I'm a big worrier and this was a lovely calm feeling that came out of the blue. I was looking out of the window at the time at the beautiful view we're lucky enough to have.

Isn't it interesting that these experiences are coming mostly from our natural surroundings: from sunshine, cloudscapes, seascapes, a beautiful view of some kind? And a new born baby, of course.

Thank you for starting this thread Aveline. I had heard of but never read The Oldie but discover I can borrow digital editions from my library app. I've now seen the piece on Covals and the responses plus it's given me an excuse to have a delve into etymology and local history.

'The Oldie' is a great read. Once I start I can't stop and that's me stuck for hours!

Yes. Once when I was on a bus in Havana Cuba. This moment of pure happiness swept over me. At the time I wasn't sure if it was the high dose of steroids I was taking. But I will take it as A Coval now.

I've never read The Oldie. I've just cancelled subscriptions to Good Housekeeping and Landscape. Perhaps I'll give it a try.

Same thinking nadateturbe. Some great books and art articles but reading online on a laptop screen even with the zoom facility is tiring. I've just taken a sub which includes the first three mags free. Thanks again Aveline.

Yes I'm not keen on reading online either. Found an offer of 3 mags for £3. Thnk I'll try that and see if I like it. Quite looking forward to it. It seems good reading, judging by the articles in the latest copy.

Yes last year walking my dogs for the allowed hour during first kickdown. Blue sky, sunshine, bees buzzing, birds singing and not another sound or person around it was bliss. Another sitting in my favourite bar, in my favourite holiday destination eating tapas, listening to live music and the evening was warm and relaxed. I closed my eyes and thought if I died now I would die happy. Simple pleasures in simple surroundings but just lovely.

Lockdown darn autocorrect still changed it to kickdown despite retyping it 3 times ☹️