Durham Revisited

On a whim, I decided to use up one of my remaining Britrail pass days and accompany my colleague Beth to visit Durham. Needless to say, from the minute I stepped off the train and started wandering down to the bridge that crosses the river I was immediately taken back to that lovely late July day in 2005 when I arrived there to join the Trinity Episcopal Church choir who were beginning their week as the choir-in-residence at the Cathedral. Fresh from a conference in Croatia, I wander into the Cathedral close only to meet Jim coming out of the building where the laundry facilities were. I didn't think I could have been happier to see him and then all the rest of the choir members that day. Well choir-friends, I went back thinking of you today!

As you can see, the weather (at least initially) was much the same as that week in July: cloudy, windy, and misty. You all will be glad to know the Edinburgh Woolens shop where we all invested in a variety of sweaters, scarves, and cold weather sundries, is still there and still having a sale. Thankfully I was prepared with a thick sweater, scarf, and coat today.

The wind was blowing at gale force with grey clouds looming again. Inside the Cathedral, the force of the wind gusts shook the windows and scaffolding that had been put up in various places. I was just about to go up the tower to get my peak out on the roof when they closed it due to the inclement weather. Foiled again!

Then, a miracle! The wind quieted down (somewhat) and the sun came out! I guess my prayers at Bede's tomb and St. Cuthbert's Shrine must have had some effect! As you can see in the picture, there was glorious sunshine streaming through the cloister walk.

And even the towers were shown in all their glory with sun and blue sky behind them.

The academic year is in full swing so we couldn't go wander the castle but as you can see from the photo, it is the same as ever. I just kept expecting to see some choristers or Michael come wandering up the walk.

I was awash with happy memories of our week there. I took Beth down the path below the towers and showed her where we picked black raspberries all along the Cathedral's foundations. For lunch we went to the Market Tavern which still served lovely lunches. Beth had an excellent lamb burger and I had a sausage platter and chips. Yum! After that, it was down to the indoor market where thankfully the lovely cheese lady is still in business. I will never forget the fun of sharing port and the day's novelty cheeses with the Crabbs and anyone else who wandered down to the pub in the crypt below the Great Hall in Durham Castle. As we speak I am enjoying a Durham Blue, which is like St Andre with blue veins through it, a Northumberland Doddington (akin to a cheddar), and another Northumberland cheese that is semi-soft with a washed rind. All delicious!

I made my pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Cuthbert, St. Oswald, and the Venerable Bede and gave thanks on this Thanksgiving Eve for all of you my friends back at Trinity and home and enjoyed the chance to say hello to all those familiar places around Durham that continue to hold a special place in my memory.