We have been at Rembrandt Gardens since our arrival last Friday and this week Mike has been at General Synod and Christine has been exploring various parts of London.
Mike did not have to be at Church House until 1.30 so the morning was spent leisurely. Christine went off to the nearby Tesco Express for a few supplies and the newspaper, back in time for an early lunch.
She had decided to visit Westminster Abbey, (last visited when a child!) in the afternoon so travelled down on the Underground with Mike to St James Park, bade him farewell and then went to queue up to go in. Yes it was busy, but then it was half-term.
She was impressed how pleasant and friendly the staff were, the stewards especially very pleased to answer questions. She noticed that they were particularly aware of families with children and keen to ensure the children were given special attention.
Audio guides are available and certainly worth listening to. It is made quite clear that this is a church, with a pause for a short prayer every hour - and most people did stop and pause at that point.
It is however, very much the memorial space of British men and women over the centuries - the great (kings and queens - medieval to Tudor British rulers from Edward the Confessor), military leaders, the aristocracy, the good (William Wilberforce), the not so good (Barbara Villiers), poets ( Gerard Manley Hopkins), playwrights ( Shakespeare next to Ben Johnson), writers (small plain tablet for Jane Austin). The monument that stood out for Christine was one to Lady Elizabeth Nightingale, who died in childbirth, made by Roubiliac in 1761. It shows her husband desperately trying to defend her against Death, as she is about to be struck by his spear as he emeges from below.
No photo since photography not allowed in the main cathedral building. In the cloisters photos are possible. Christine was pleased to see the more lowly were also remembered as in this memorial to a plumber.
Of the range of medieval and tudor period architectural styles, it was the ceiling of the Lady Chapel that was really awe-inspiring, paid for in the will of Henry V11. The stonework is so finely carved that viewed from below it looks like fine lace.
For the coronation of the Queen in 1952, 9000 people were seated in the abbey on specially constructed tiered seating. One of the stewards pointed out to Christine the damage this had caused to the pillars! It won't be allowed again!
There is little really old stained glass in the Cathedral. Of the more recent glass, Christine liked this small round window along one of the cloister passageways
She enjoyed the magnificent proportions of the chapter House where remains of 14th century wall paintings are visible
Leaving the Abbey, Christine took a walk past Big Ben then over Westminster Bridge (dodging the endless succession of people taking selfies). The wind was very cold, dark clouds threatening, the river looking very uninviting, so then it was back to Embankment station, Paddington and a warm, cosy boat.
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