Sunday 3 April

​We broke out the bikes and our whizzy new cycle helmets for a ride into Canterbury, which is entirely downhill from the site, making it far more fun going in than coming back. After a coffee at our now favourite French cafe we alighted at the Cathedral where we went to the sung Eucharist. What an experience! Alison said "I'm not part of the high church tradition but I loved the pomp and majesty of the ceremony and hearing the choir just took me beyond myself. The sense of being part of what is a vibrant worshipping community with a real local church feel, and following in the footsteps of worshippers and pilgrims who have shared in prayer and praise since the first century actually moved me to tears. Sitting here now in glorious sunshine, admiring an incredible view I am filled with an real sense of peace and wonder."

Afterwards we were invited into The Chapter House for drinks, which was lovely and gave a much more parochial feel to counter the formality of the service. One of us even managed to spill tea on a minister, as you do. Left to our own devices we wandered around the Cathedral, basking in the splendour of the building, the sun shining through the stained glass lending a purple hue to the magnificence of the architecture and adornments.

After exploring some of the city centre and enjoying a good lunch we took the steep climb back in our stride like the athletes that we are, and walked most of the way. After a refreshing cuppa in the sun we re-organised Mavis a bit and made her more homely before settling in to a snug cheese based supper. 

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