Blight

Winchester Cathedral

I walked from the Winchester Hotel last night, down Andover road, across City road to Jewry street, and then down High street and Little Minster street to arrive facing the beautiful structure shown in the photo I took above.

Winchester Cathedral, being one of the oldest in England, is over 800 years old. Of course they don't make things like they used to, but they don't usually spend hundreds of years on a single structure anymore either.

I was disappointed to find out that they had finished with their "Cracking the Code" exhibition for the day. They used the cathedral for some of the scenes shot in The Da Vinci Code, and I suppose if you show up before 5 pm you might be able to check it out for yourself. Make sure you arrive before June 21st though, because that's when the exhibition ends.

However, what I was able to participate in was an Evensong service. A quire of 20 or so men in white and red robes sang out in exultant praise to the holy trinity as I read along in the prayer book. I didn't know the customs of when to sit, stand, turn to the altar, and when to call out "Dear God" with the others. However it was quite an experience listening to the voices carry through the ribbed ceilings and in such beautiful harmony.

After the service, I headed down to The Royal Oak, which claims to be the oldest pub in Winchester. Of course what pub doesn't claim to be the oldest? Anyway it was a small little place stuck down a back alley beside "ASK", an Italian place I had eaten at earlier in the week. I tried a couple beers, "Leffe", "Champion" and "Speckeled Hen". Of those, I liked Leffe the most. Champion was a tough stout and not really my taste.

In 40 minutes my taxi will take me back to Heathrow to head back to Toronto. I don't know if I'll feel safe back in Canada. After all, knives haven't been banned there yet.

Labels: business trip, UK

posted by Blight @ 2:59 AM