Catching up after the weekend

Some people just have the ability to make you feel like you have known them your whole life, and that’s what we found when we met Colin and Sandra Showell, Dave’s first cousin and his wife (pictured here in front of Salisbury Cathedral). Notwithstanding the fact we were two strangers landing on their doorstep on Saturday evening, by the time we left on Tuesday, we felt like very good friends and family. They have lovely children and grandchildren – and we landed into the heart of them!

Saturday was a full day! I drove from Oxford to Coventry, wanting to see the cathedrals – both medieval and new. So pleased that I did – it was a very moving experience. The old cathedral was bombed during the Second World War and was not restored, but the ruins were cleaned up as much as possible and were left to the open skies. Right next door a beautiful new cathedral was built – in the post-wars years, finally opening in the 1960s. The contrast of old and new, past and present is just awe-inspiring. The new cathedral is filled with the most extraordinarily beautiful artwork – including a remarkable stain-glass window that is so gorgeous. It was a beautiful, blue-sky day that made it a pleasure to be in the old cathedral – so peaceful and calm. Again, such a stark contrast to the ruined ancient monument you are seated within.

Left Coventry and headed over to Stratford-upon-Avon, thinking to spend the afternoon with the bard. When I arrived I found it was Stratford River Festival and the town was crawling with tourists (unlike me, who was there for the culture). Anyway, I did get to walk to the Avon and see the swans, take a picture of the birthplace of William Shakespeare and walk through town to the site of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage (0n left). Not particularly fulfilling – but I guess I won the jackpot with Coventry. How dare I complain?

Picked Dave up in Oxford and headed for Winchester to meet the Showells. And the rest, as they say, is history. Speaking of which, under Colin and Sandra’s tutelage we saw Salisbury and Winchester Cathedrals, St. Cross Church where we attended Sunday service, the Old Hall and King Arthur’s Table in what remains of Winchester Castle. If only Mrs. Lee, my grade eight teacher, could see me now.