Cheryl's Choral Trip to the UK 14-23 June 2011
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Thanks for opening this (folder/link) to view photos from my recent travel to England! I had a unique opportunity to sing alto with the Nativity Choir from Huntsville, Alabama. We had an extremely fast but memorable week in the United Kingdom. I wish John could have been there, but he was in my heart every second. My lifetime friend, Betty Schien, traveled from Springfield, IL to join the group of 45 folks. There were 24 of us in the choir plus Suzanne Purtee, Nativity's exceptional Choirmaster, and Dr. Dan Hardin, a terrific organist from Florida, and many spouses and friends of the choir. You can read the choir's blog at http://nativitychoirtour.blogspot.com/. (More photos may become available from other members of the group.) In the meantime, what is being posted here are some of the photos taken with my camera that will hopefully convey the story of this extraordinary week.
You'll see highlights from each day. The itinerary kept us on our toes and we traveled to many great places.
Thanks for your support and prayers as we made this journey. Enjoy!
Cheers,
Cheryl
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The Queen is home 15 June!
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Huge roses at Windsor Castle.
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Queen's Guard Windsor Castle.
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There was a good bit of rain this day. We used all modes of transportation to get around - bus, underground, taxi and of course, walking. The Oops! photo shows that I forgot to turn in my audio gizmo when I left Westminster Abbey. It was discovered when we visited Parliament's visitor security screening. They thought I was bringing in a dictaphone! After the visit to the House of Lords (we got to meet one of them on the bus), I ran the audio tour phone back to the Abbey. Gee whiz.
In the afternoon, I visited the outstanding Museum of London, just 4 minutes walking from St. Paul's. Betty and I met a dear British friend and his wife for dinner near Covent Garden, where we feasted on braised lamb shank. A great day!
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WYWH Westminster 16 June.
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The emotional high for me was definitely the time spent inside Canterbury Cathedral. It was difficult to keep my emotions in check during some of the music. Suzanne told us to "Sing to the Arches" and we did. We "changed" into our robes in an area near the tomb of an Archbishop of Canterbury who had been the "Dean of Carlisle". How appropriate, since Carlisle, PA is a special place for me. A member of the Cathedral staff told us to "tidy up" the area before we sang. We had also heard that groups who come to perform there must finish in 30 minutes or be moved along. We finished everything we planned to sing!
In 1994, I had the honor of walking through the same outer entrance that Christian pilgrims used for hundreds of years. Now is it closed off to visitors at the moment. However, the inside arch that I'm standing in, has been opened up so visitors can go through it. Too bad it's a bit blurry, but it gives you the idea. The pilgrims journeyed to Canterbury to honor the place where Archbishop Thomas Becket was slain.
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In Awe at Canterbury 17 June.
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Changing Room - Dean of Carlisle
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Oxford is a charming place. I especially enjoyed Christ Church and the Becket window. You can read about it on one of these photos. It's a rare depiction in stained glass. All day the umbrella came up and down. Overall, a very pretty day. You've seen this blue raincoat on many of our other trips. The money belt sadly adds additional "girth" around my middle. That's not all me! Can you guess where my shoe is in the first photo? One of my new friends was wearing the same New Balance shoe! How fun!
