So, in my last two posts I showed-n-told about our two days with Chad and Norma while in England back in May. I decided the trip we took to nearby Cirencester was worth its own post, so here it it!
All you have to do is drive into the city and look at the architecture to see how old it is.
"The earliest known reference to the town was by Ptolemy in AD 150." (Wiki)
Even though our main destination of the day was the parish church,
we stopped to see some sights along the way.
Chad and Norma knew exactly where to take us.
And as you know, Astrid and I love all the impressions we can get.
That includes weathervanes, of course.
And wildflowers. I've been on a kick, haven't I!
But it was, indeed, the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist that we came to see.
The church is medieval, from 1115.
This is a Church of England parish church.
If you like stained glass, you'd be in heaven there.
You know me...because of preacher Dad and musician Mom,
I always pay attention to the pulpits and organs in these churches.
See the hour glass (bottom right)? That's to help the preacher pay attention to the time!
I think I told you I'm starting to "collect" church cushions. :)
Don't you wonder what every little thing means!
See the top-center cup? It was made for Anne Boleyn in 1535
and was given first to her daughter Queen Elizabeth, then to the queen's physician,
who later gave it to the church. That's history!
While Chad, Norma and Astrid climbed the tower to get city views,
I walked out into the churchyard (let's just say I have a bum knee) to see more of the outside church...
and the delightful cemetery. What is it about cemeteries!
It's common in Europe to see war memorials in their cemeteries,
even if a bit make-shift and simple.
even if a bit make-shift and simple.
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And that makes a good segue to my Vision and Verb post today on Rights of Passage.
Let's just call this Pacifier Tree in Münster, Germany, the first rite....
with many rites/rights to follow, including death.
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This now brings us to our last days in England, back where we started with Lisl and Michael as our hosts.
Stay tuned for Bradford on Avon and Bristol.
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This now brings us to our last days in England, back where we started with Lisl and Michael as our hosts.
Stay tuned for Bradford on Avon and Bristol.
Fellow Pilgrim,
ReplyDeleteCan I wear those red shoes to Church? A little Philokalia perhaps-:))
LOL, Susie. I must have included them just for you! :D And what a great word: Philokalia, "love of the beautiful, the good." Thank you for that!
DeleteCirencester is a delightful little town. You have some great shots of the cemetery, I love those place, what tells that about us???
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures. The church is just beautiful and there was a very nice guide who took us up the tower.
A very nice day out with Norma and Chad.
We have such great memories from that neck of the woods in England, don't we! Little by little we'll start knowing England like we do the Netherlands. HA!
DeleteI really enjoy these English posts - wish I was going back. What an unusual church front - clearly the result of an addition. Did it also suffer damage on the right side where the addition seems to be? Once again no report on hearing the angels or sing or the organ hum.
ReplyDeleteGood question about the church, Ted. Now you have me intrigued to check out the link in the post to see if I can find it out. In the meantime, no angels singing or organs humming, yet! You'll be the first to know when they do! :)
DeleteI really must visit Cirencestor, it looks so very interesting and the church is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteDon't know how far away it would be for you, Cherry, but I found it most charming. Thank you.
DeleteGinnie this is my favorite area of England that I have only read about and seen in pictures. A dream for me to visit one day...Love the golden stone used to build all those lovely buildings, and even the cemeteries are lovely and full of wonderful history.
ReplyDeleteI can freely admit, Donna, that I have fallen in love with England! For how easy it is for us to go back-n-forth, it would be a sin to NOT get to know it better! So I totally understand.
DeleteWorld Pride just wrapped up here in Toronto..... you should have been here, it was CRAZY!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh dear me, Sham. I remember my early years (after my 1990 divorce) attending many a Gay Pride Parade in Atlanta. I KNOW the craziness! I'll have to check to see if you've put up pics!
DeleteI so LOVE the idea of you collecting church cushions!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that fun, Robin! Now that I've discovered" them, I'm seeing them everywhere!!! :)
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