Monday, November 02, 2015

...and on Sunday...

...early morning prayer in the great Abbey Church, and then, mid-morning, a magnificent All Saints Day Mass, with a superb choir: the singers come from across Devon to form one of the two choirs now associated with the Abbey. A substantial congregation: every pew was full, and people also sit, medieval style, along the low  wide ledges set against the wall, where the monks have thoughtfully provided mats against the hard stone...

A final cheery talkative lunch, and then farewells."We'll next be here when the trees are green in Spring" said our driver as we set  off through the glowing Autumn colours for the station...

The train ride from Newton Abbott along the Exe estuary is a delight and as darkness fe;ll I got out some tapestry: it's a kneeler for the chapel of the John Fisher School and all in the school colours of blue and gold. The nice girl sitting next to me took an interest, and when I wondered about the date of the school's foundation - I'd just got to that bit of the design - she googled it for me on her mobile phone. The uses of modernity: a Victorian lady sewing on a Great Western railway journey would marvel at such convenience.

By family tradition, I frequently break West Country journeys to visit beloved young relatives who live conveniently along this route: a joyful evening of family chat, young parents,their enchnating little girl and her delicious new baby brother, great happiness.

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