I Have Returned!

Doug picked me up at my apartment building around 10:00 am on Monday and we had a pleasant drive to the airport in Ottawa with a stop for lunch in Johnstown. I must thank and commend Doug for taking me to the airport. His estimated arrival time was 1:00 pm and we arrived at 1:01. I checked in and then the waiting started.
We had a rapid and uneventful flight to Toronto where more waiting occurred. It must have taken them 45 minutes to get everybody on board and prepared for takeoff. Another fairly comfortable flight with the exception of a woman in the seat in front of me. She must have showered in perfume!!! I would have liked to ask for a seat change but the flight was full so I had to try to breath through mouth and ignore the stench. I had thought of washing her down with some bottled water, but thought I would probably cause the plane to be returned to Toronto.
We arrived on time and had a rapid trip through customs and I was pleased to find that my bags were on the carousel waiting for me. As we trundled into the arrivals area I saw Weezy (Louise) waiting by the rail. She looked right past me with an air on anticipation about her, waiting I am sure for a rather full-faced Don to show up. Slender-faced Don finally caught her attention and we had a wonderful reunion. It was good to be back.



Not to waste time we stowed the bags in the car and set of for Salisbury. If you wish to see pictures of the exterior of the cathedral you can click on this link; Salisbury Cathedral

The photo I chose to begin the tour was of the Chicken Cross, or more formally, the Poultry Cross situated on High Street. It dates to 1335 and is the onle one remaining of four crosses built, the others being the Cheese Cross, the Linen Cross and the Bernewell Cross. All built to give shelter to traders.




Of the few cathedrals that I seen in the UK this one seems to be the most austere. I have no working knowledge of cathedral architecture, but I suspect that this is one of the earliest, just judging from the lack of colour.










For bring such an ancient church it has a very modern baptismal font. Installed in 2008 at the 'back' of the cathedral it is large enough to allow total imersion of the young child. In fact, if the candidate could swim, her or she could do a few laps.






Louise, my lovely tour guide and friend.










This is the world's oldest working clock, dating from 1386; it has no face and only strikes the hours.











This is the tomb of William Longespée, half brother to King John and one of the advisers for the formulation of the Magna Carta.
Longespée, who died in 1226 was present at the laying of the foundation of the cathedral and was the first person to be buried in the cathedral.
I found this tomb interesting because it is made entirely of wood.




The High Altar, again very simple, which I find appealing.










The 106 original choir, or quire stalls date from 1236, the earliest complete set in England. They are intricately carved in wood and decorated for each canon and vicar.








This tomb struck me as being out of place in such simple surroundings. It is the tomb of Edward Seymour and Lady Catherine Grey - sister to Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England for nine before her execution in 1554, at the age of 17.









The Amnesty International Candle is found under the Prisoners of Conscience window designed and by Gabriel Loire and dedicated to prisioners of conscience throughout the world. There is a candle perpetually burning within the representative barbed wire.









I have no idea who theses gentlemen are; they just stood out because of the colour of there robes was in bright contrast to the surrounding stone.







Pictures I could not take or wished I had;
The Spire crossing, the central point of the Cathedral - The weight of the tower and spire, some 6500 tons, has visibly bent the supporting columns. By placing your head against one of the columns one can see the bend. There is a system of plumb bobs and brass pins set in place to monitor the bending of the columns.

I was very surprised and pleased that I was able to see the best preserved of four remaing copies of the Magna Carta. Unfortunately, for preservation purposes no photographs were allowed. I ca only surmise thsat the light from camera flashes would have some detrimental effect on the Magna Carta. It was housed in a very strong steel and glass case in the Chapter House. The Chapter House itself was very beautiful and and I regret not being able to take some pictures.

After our tour of the cathedral Louise and I checked into the hotel, had some lunch and I had a much needed rest.

Louise is the Director of the MFRC (Military Family Resource Centre) in the UK and has a staff of four military spouses. I met these delightful and interesting ladies over dinner at the Haunch of Venison in Salisbury. Aside from the wonderful food, this restaurant`s other claim to fame is to be haunted by two spirits; the Grey Lady, who is searching for her child, and the Demented Whist Player who is searching for his hand which he lost when caught cheating in a game of whist. The mummified hand is on display in the restaurant.

Bed was a welcomed sight after such a full day.