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Farewell Canterbury, Hello London

Dear Reader

Saying hello to London is a little premature as we are actually on the coach to London at present, hav ing left the comforts of Canterbury behind. We really enjoyed the City and the Cathedral.

By the fifth day we had even nailed the bowing in the services. You see, when we process in we first bow to the high altar then turn 180 degrees and bow to the Dean after he bows to us. At the end of the service you reverse it. Sounds simple enough. But it wasn’t.

The Robing Area was warm (hot, actually) and we were all very friendly. The excellent capacity of my camera to take photos in dim lighting belies how dark it was.



There are many things we will remember about Canterbury, but most importantly we will remember the story of Thomas Becket and Murder in the Cathedral. Mostly because we heard it frequently.

St Peter’s Cathedral in Adelaide has a Canterbury Cross, like the one below, which was a gift from Canterbury Cathedral.





The Dean commented favourably about our singing at all of our services. We got a giggle when he described the Lay Clerks as the youngest senior choir they had had for a while, in a very positive way. Made a couple of we senior choristers feel young! Apparently their Cathedral Choir seniors are more senior.



I found a friend for our tour while in Canterbury. His name, for the moment at least, is Bishop Geoff, as voted by the aforementioned senior choir.




Now for the last musical menu for Canterbury. Last night we sang Jackson in G canticles, Hunt Responses and Leighton’s Lully Lulla with Luca Shin on the solo line. And the psalm to two different chants. David Heah’s extraordinary skill with the electronic organ brought the psalm to life with thunder, lightning and other special effects to match the psalm.

Yesterday belonged to Leeds Castle where we spent a wonderful day inside the castle and outside in the grounds, the maze and at mini-golf.





















I just realised this is very bitsy. Sorry.

In the interests of getting it posted I will sign off for now.

Dear Readers in Australia, know our prayers continue for you during these difficult days with the bushfires. Please stay safe.

Cxx

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 4, 2020 at 5:19 AM

    Lovely to read these updates Christine! I thought Leeds Castle looked familiar. That's the one we visited on the 2010/2011 tour wasn't it? With the hedge maze and grotto? And perhaps imported white swans?
    Sing well, stay rested when you can. Enjoy all of the ironing of the robes, and may you have many helpers (and libations) to pass the hours. Sending love to you all and Glen and I are with you in spirit.
    Anna McKie.

    ReplyDelete

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