The Thomas Life : cathedrals

The Last Day

The last day in London we visited the National Portrait Gallery and then walked over to Trafalgar Square. The day we visited the National Gallery the fountain wasn't working so it was nice to see it happily spitting water.

The last thing we both really wanted to do was visit the Churchill War Rooms. Winston Churchill operated from this maze of rooms that were carved out of an existing building and fortified with steel and extra feet of concrete to protect it from German bombs during the Blitz. After the war, they closed it up and left it so that in the 60s when the government opened it back up, it was almost exactly as it was when in use.

Clementine Churchill's room

Winston apparently had no use for staples and absolutely hated them. He only wanted papers with one hole punch on the upper left hand corner with a piece of string tying them together. You received hell if he found staples.

Every hall had submarine doors to keep out any unwanted guests. The Germans apparently never knew the bunker existed so I guess the English did their job. However, notice the crowbar, just in case you were locked out.

Churchill's room. He apparently only napped here and preferred to spend his time above ground surveying the previous night's bombing damage or actually watching the bombing from the rooftop.

The entry to the museum, and its original main door, is the nondescript metal doorway beside the stairs leading to the treasury.

The Globe!

Before we left Scotland, the BBC had broadcast that St. Paul's Cathedral had been closed until further notice due to the Occupy London protesters who had positioned themselves on the steps of the church. It was the first time since WWII that it had not operated.

As a side note, they were gross. It smelled and they were annoying. They had also damaged toilets and bathrooms in the small shops and cafes that line the cathedral square. I personally found that humorous - you're protesting big money and yet you're hurting the little guy by damaging his hard earned business space?? Idiots.

St. Paul's is by far the most beautiful church we visited. You literally walk into the building and just want to sit down and take it in. It's almost too much.

The attention to detail and the intricate artwork and gold leafing is just spectacular. The pictures do not do it justice. Again, these churches were built for God - not man.

Bishop's of London, going back REALLY far...

After our visit to St. Paul's we wandered down the street and happened to run into Temple Church. This church was built by and for Templar Knights. I don't know what is going on in the building's around it but the whole area is enclosed by a large wall and the offices are occupied by businesses who are part of the Templars...weird. We didn't get a chance to go in because it closed right before we got there.

Graves outside the church - this apparently happens a lot as we learned because they run out of space. These were Crusaders tombs...you can make out the shields.

After this we headed to find food and then back to the hotel to pack.

Both flights were totally fine and we were SO happy to be home in our bed. However, we're not done with traveling!

Chichester

Matt and I took another detour out of London and decided to visit Chichester. Just a note, yes it is my maiden name and yes do come from Chichester but even in England, it's an uncommon name and I'll spare you the genealogy lesson! We took the train which was a great experience! The European train system out does ours by leaps and bounds. Seeing the beautiful English countryside was worth running through Victoria Station and not being real sure what we were doing.

If only I could grow hydrangeas this beautiful and HUGE!

Chichester Cathedral. We learned some interesting lessons about Chichester during our visit from some very friendly villagers. The spire on the cathedral is one of the tallest in England and is the only one visible from the sea. During WWII when Germany bombed England, Chichester and its cathedral were spared mainly due to the fact that German pilots used the spire as a reference point. Therefore, saving it from destruction.

Roman mosiac found beneath the cathedral during some routine maintenance years ago. Chichester was a Roman supply depot so locals tend to find these things all the time.

Gorgeous screen in front of the communion table

The cathedral has all its vestry and communion items on display. Many of them are very old including this chest which is roughly 820 years old and was a collection chest used by the cathedral to raise funds for knights and pilgrims during the Crusades.

Saint Richard of Chichester

We were able to stay all day and ended our visit by attending Evensong at the cathedral. The Cathedral Choir (a boy's choir) was out on break so the adult choir sang for us. It was beautiful. We got to the train station as it started to rain and get cold.

Oxford

Classes were in session and some of the colleges were closed so we were mostly restricted to Christ Church which was totally fine.

Potter fans - notice the stair case???

Yet another life long dream fulfilled! We took a bus from London to Oxford to visit the university. I would have been okay with staying permanently.

Inside Christ Church Cathedral.

The woodwork is over 300 years old and all hand carved. This angel was at the end of the quire.

Both Wesley brothers were ordained at Christ Church and attended college there.

Radcliffe Camera! Lewis fans, I waited for Robby but he must of been busy :)

At this point I had to pause for a moment of silence. This is the Bodleian Library and one of the oldest libraries in Europe. I thought about asking for a job....

Heading through the Great Hall. Again, Potter fans - it's THE great hall! Plus a who's who of graduates including both Wesley's, William Penn and Henry VIII

Scotland - Day 1

Earlier this year, Matt and I decided that it was time to travel. Like really, really travel! We have no children and we had the opportunity to take two weeks off. So we sat down with the giant Europe travel book and settled on the UK. We also realized during this trip how much we love travel and our lives will continue to be filled with it.

I have a relatively large travel bucket list and the UK was at the top. I'm a Brit at heart so it really was like going home. We decided to start our trip with a week in Edinburgh, Scotland. The first day was okay until we fell asleep due to jet lag about 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon! So here's a few photos of our "First Day" in Edinburgh.

View of Edinburgh from Edinburgh Castle. Such an amazing city! I really don't have much to compare it too but it was just beautiful.

Entry into the VERY old castle. Interestingly enough it's actually still used as a fort today. The Black Watch and Royal Scottish Guard use it as their headquarters.

Inside of the royal apartments where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to James I . The fireplace itself was taller than me and the room retains all it's original woodwork and moldings.

Tiny marker outside St. Margaret's in the confines of the castle.

St. Colomba Window

St. Margaret's Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh. Built by King David I of Scotland in honor of his sainted mother, Margaret.

My delicious pint of Welsh beer - VERY tasty!

St. Giles Cathedral

John Knox window. John Knox was the preacher at St. Giles during a time of unrest when Scotland was moving towards Protestantism and away from Catholicism. Sadly during that time they broke out all the beautiful stained glass because they believed it idolized saints. In the 1800s they installed all new stained glass. If you look closely at the bottom of the window, you'll see John Knox preaching and notice all the clear glass windows...