Well Rested and Well Toured

Today is Saturday and it's our second day off. Yesterday was our first day off and it was great to just wander around Canterbury and get a feel for this wonderful city. It's how much the cathedral is the center of the city, acting as a large magnet drawing one back towards its heart - whether on the meandering roads or visually as you find yourself casting a look towards a stray roof top and seeing the cathedral tower off in the distance centering your senses in the direction of home.

A small band of us meandered around yesterday taking a leisurely flat boat ride (punting) down the mill race, off to have a pint with a hearty meal. Then off to the castle ruins (echos of "Have fun stormin the castle." ringing in my ears!) where a group of young people were having a poetry reading. From there we walked along the old walls overlooking the city and Don John park. Dinner was near the cathedral and then we shared another pint at a local pub.

The pictures are of the vesting room at the cathedral were we would line up and wait for the Dean to come out and pray with us just before the service. (I should point out that the room is dedicated to St Andrew!) You can see the remants of the Norman cathedral architecture - most filled in when the added on and "updated" to the spiring gothic arches.

The other picture is of course of our fantastic director, Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, and our wonderful host and precentor, David Mackenzie Mills.

A Few Pictures

I thought I'd share a few of the pictures I've taken so far. I'll be sharing more, but it's late here and dinner was good and the bed is calling my name!

These are some shots from the room where we rehearse. It's upstairs next to the south transept. You have to climb a very steep, narrow staircase to get to it, but once there it's quite airy and light. There are some very old and interesting bits of graffiti scratched into the walls.

Two Down...

Well, I really meant to post last night but after a heavy day of singing, rehearsing... and eating, I decided to go to bed! The weather here has been great... hot during the day, but cool at night. And with the peace and quiet of the close, sleep comes easy!

This evening we sang our second Evensong and again we were excellent (if I do say so myself!) It really fun and exciting singing in the quire of this magnificent cathedral.

We Arrive!

Well, we've arrived at Canterbury! Yesterday was a bit of a whirlwind as we arrived at Heathrow, slightly jet lagged, boarded our bus and headed to Canterbury. Our excitement mounted as we neared the city and could see the beautiful cathedral tower in the distance.

We attended Evensong in the quire. It turned out to be "Sob Sunday" - the Sunday in which they traditionally say goodbye to the Cathedral choir for holiday. The service was beautiful and was a great way to prepare us for our own residency.

Today is a jam-packed day of rehearsal, Cathedral tour, more rehearsal... and yes, more rehearsal!

The weather, by the way, is beautiful! Sunny and warm!

More later...