Cheryl's Choral Trip to the UK 14-23 June 2011
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During the morning in Bristol, we toured the first cruise liner ever built. What a treat to see how 630 people sailed to their destinations. Hmmmm. It's a very effective display of artifacts and history. She was built in the very place she is now docked. Please look up the SS Great Britain and learn more. It's fascinating and the Brits have done a remarkable job restoring her.
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Brunel's SS Great Britain.
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Steering the SS. Great Britain in Bristol 21 June.
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Our Bristol Evensong was very special. I have no photos of the choir singing from the choir stalls at either Bristol or Gloucester Cathedrals. (I hope someone was able to get some that I can include later!) Here we were served tea and cakes between our rehearsal and the service. Very nice! Our Cantor, Ron Roberts, did a great job. We also got to sing a hymn together for this service. We robed in another ancient room with fabulous acoustics.
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Prior to Bristol Evensong - our last singing.
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Group photo after Evensong at Bristol.
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Dr. Hardin at the Bristol Cathedral organ.
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Choir stalls at Bristol Cathedral.
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Glastonbury Abbey is an intriguing place. We had little time to explore everything there though. We trudged through the ruins in the rain but it was worth it. The Abbey must have been quite something when it was completed. I think she's still beautiful.
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Glastonbury Abbey 22 June.
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King Arthur's former Tomb.
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King Arthur's former Tomb - sign.
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Wells Cathedral and town. I loved it all. This afternoon was fun to spend British pounds that hadn't been spent yet (!) I love my new butterfly scarf. The weather was finally sunny and dry. The market was very interesting with lots to see. I enjoyed tea with my dear friend Mary.
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Wells market and Cathedral 22 June.
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More doors enticed me at Wells. A cat lives at the cathedral and on this day, it was sleeping outside in the graveyard. We heard an Evensong service here before dinner and it was really beautiful. The youth choristers had the responsibility because the adult choir was recording a new CD that night.
Our final meal together as a choir was in the 14th century Vicars Close at Wells Cathedral. We began with singing the Doxology which was written at this cathedral. Betty and I had one last English dinner together and it was delicious. The photo showing all of us walking through a tunnel is supposed to be Europe's oldest residential street that is still in tact with original buildings. After tonight, everyone is going in different directions. Some are going to Paris for the weekend, others to Stonehenge, others to Wimbleton and London, etc. A large group of us are flying to Atlanta, then to AL, NC, TN, and FL. Suzanne is taking the train to Wales to begin a coastal walking tour. There will be lots of stories from everyone! I wanted a photo with her since the last morning would surely be crazy!
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On the way to farewell dinner at Vicars' Close.
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Doxology and Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding.
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Suzanne Purtee's last night with us.
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It was a very fast, but full, week. No regrets and glad I had this opportunity.
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Bus Departing Cheltenham.
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We made our way to London on the bus. After checking bags and going through security, there was time to wait until our gate was announced. A few stores benefited from our last pounds. We passed the time at Heathrow until we boarded. At Atlanta, we had to endure the typical rudeness, I'm sorry to say, that government employees inflicts upon tired passengers, and poor Betty was randomly selected to have all of her luggage searched. Then we sent our luggage on to Huntsville and waited for a very late plane to arrive from LaGuardia International Airport in NYC. We were lucky to catch a spectacular sunset that seemed close enough to touch. A new carousel had been installed at the HSV airport and once we collected everything, Betty and I were surprised with beautiful roses from John. He's really amazing isn't he? That's all folks! Have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend.
Warm regards,
Cheryl
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Harrod's at Heathrow 23 June.
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Waiting for our flight from London to Atlanta.
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Sunset in Atlanta 23 June.
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Welcome Home Roses from a wonderful husband.
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