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Canterbury Cathedral
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| Our meeting on 21st April was in Canterbury , Kent. We visited Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustines Abbey and Museum and The Big Dig. Those who came along were Caz and baby Lauren, Anne B, Sir Mark and Princess Emily, Corinne, Matty and Julie plus three of Matt’s friends.
The sun was actually shining for our visit to Canterbury! We met outside the main entrance to the Cathedral – our wee group of Mark and Emily, Anne B, Corinne, Mark, Julie and 3 of their friends. There was no sign of Caz and Lauren , nor of Alan either. As Anne had visited the Cathedral many times before she decided to wait outside for the missing ones before heading off shopping and to meet up again with at for lunch.
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Once inside the cathedral, some of us bought our official camera permits and wandered around complete with bright yellow ‘official photographers ‘ badges!
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| Canterbury Cathedral is by no means a museum – it is used on a daily basis for regular services throughout the year. Although there were a fair number of people on the day of our visit it was not as crowded as I imagined it would be. We made our way down to the crypt which was shutting early as a matrimony service was being held – apparently the ‘daughter of the boss’ was getting hitched! |
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| I have never been in a crypt so large before – this Norman crypt is the largest in the world. Unfortunately you weren’t allowed to take photos in here – mainly due to the Byzantine frescoes in St Gabriels Chapel which date from the early 1100’s. I was standing looking at these beautiful wall paintings when lo and behold there appeared a vision in front of me! Was it a miracle? No – It was Caz and Lauren. Turns out her mobile phone clock was an hour slow! Ha! |
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The pillar capitals in the crypt are carved with figures and animals and some of the original paintwork remains. The original resting place of St Thomas Becket , who was murdered in the Cathedral is also situated here in the crypt.
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| From here we wound our way back up into the south west transept and back along the south aisle towards the Trinity chapel and the Corona. Emily was given a fair few history lessons and proved how observant she is when she noticed that the tomb of Edward IV was more than accurate – funny how people who had leprosy seem to have their fingers missing isn’t it.
The tomb of the Black prince and the case displaying his original accoutrements including a lovely helmet complete with lion on top – Caz and I had to have a good gander at this – were fascinating.
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| Caz and I made out way with Lauren outside to the Cloisters and spent ages looking up into the arches and tracery studying the heraldry and bosses – plenty of green men here plus some very odd looking specimens! |
Corinne Mills
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