a rich tapestry: 2012-07-15

July 21, 2012

Down the Lane: Beautiful gardens

Paradise Square, Wentworth Village

July 20, 2012

A trip to London (2)

Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square

Thankfully our day in London was spent in the area around Westminster and St. James's Park and we took a taxi to St. James's Palace where we were met by clerical members of the Queen's Royal Household and given a tour of the inner palace courtyards and the Chapel Royal and the Queen's Chapel.

By the time we left the rain had got heavier, but we had planned to walk across St. James's Park to Westminster Abbey. Walking was the best option as security for the Olympics has meant that

many roads, including The Mall leading to Buckingham Palace, were closed to traffic. There were no crowds and walking at a brisk pace I took a few photos of the short cut across the park and lake.

Buckingham Palace, The Mall

Mute swans with young

St. James' Park

Our group arrive at the West Front of Westminster Abbey.

The Large Cloister and Garth.

The North Entrance

For the rest of the late afternoon and early evening we went to a service and then were given a tour

of the Abbey after general closing hours. It was a very peaceful time as we were able to sit in various areas and reflect on this amazing place before heading back to the station and home. Once on the train we could have a drink, a snack and chat about our day.

The Palace of Westminster (The Houses of Parliament)

The Clock Tower, now called the Queen Elizabeth Tower,
with Big Ben Clock

July 19, 2012

A trip to London

Outside Sheffield City Centre train station very early in the morning

8.40 p.m. St. Pancras Station, London, departing for home.

Yesterday, I went with a group from Sheffield Anglican Cathedral on a visit to several of the churches in London where we have personal links and a similar vision for our community to learn about their past and present history and ministry of service.

It was a full day walking, travelling by taxi and underground, but we had the benefit of the hospitality of members of the clergy who gave us an insight into the life of the spiritual community in each place. We were given the opportunity to view areas of these buildings, including courtyards and chapels, not often open to the public and at the end of the evening in Westminster Abbey we participated in a prayer walk around the Abbey.

Of course, moving quickly as a group in the rain, mainly around the Westminster area on a dull and mainly rainy day, it was not possible to take many outside photos. Similarly, interior shots were not permitted, restricted or the lighting was poor. Here are some of the photos I was able to take.

A corner of Trafalgar Square. On the left is the National Portrait Gallery.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields is across the way.

St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Robert Koenig's 'Odyssey' is on display throughout
St. Martin's. The figures have been carved from#
lime trees from his mother's home village
in Poland.These trees bore witness to many dramatic
events that shaped the lives
of the people in the last 100 years.

In 1998 St. John's Abbey, Minnesota, a Benedictine
religious community,
commissioned the master scribe, Donald Jackson,
to make an illuminated manuscript Bible.

'Victims of Injustice and Violence' sculpture
by Chaim Stephenson remembers all victims of injustice
and violence in South Africa during the years of apartheid.
Dedicated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 1994.

The East Window above the altar designed by Iranian artist
Shirazeh Houshiary

Above the sanctuary the golden sunburst holds the Hebrew name for God.
The coat of arms of King George I who was the first churchwarden
of this Royal Parish Church is just visible

St. Martin-in-the Fields is the Royal Parish Church
of Buckingham Palace.
To the left of the altar is a room with an upstairs gallery
that can be used by Royalty.