Pilgrimage to St Albans

St Albans

It has been about thirty years since I was last at St Albans in Hertfordshire but yesterday with the threat of heavy rain and storms I set out with a party from my church to visit again.  It was our pilgrimage and our vicar had arranged for us to take part in two services (Eucharist at 12 noon and Evensong at 4pm) and to have a tour of the Cathedral at 2.15pm.  The rest of the time was ours but the time just slipped at speed.

Cathedral with wedding car

The weather astonishingly stayed dry throughout the day and though we encountered a few rain spots as we left we arrived home in the dry.  The sun shone and we had blue skies.  We were dropped in the town and walked up passed a lovely street of wood beamed shops with those quirky crooked floors and roofs.  A friend and I also spotted somewhere we thought might be nice for lunch.  

The Shrine of St Alban

On arrival we headed for the Refectory for drink and wondered where everyone else was (our party was in front when we walked up and some were coming by car or train).  A few others straggled in and then we met for the first service which was taken by our vicar in the chapel at the Shine of St Albans.  After the service most headed for the Refectory for lunch but my friend and I headed back to the cafe we'd seen earlier.  It was called The Secret Garden Cafe, reached by going down a narrow alleyway but the seating spread out down passed the cafe itself.  We sat under a marquee and ordered vegetable moussaka.  We eventually dragged ourselves back and met up with others sprawling on the grass outside the Cathedral. 

Inside a wedding was taking place and a lovely white car was waiting all ribboned up outside. 

One of the paintings that the Puritans missed

We met for the tour in the Quire and while we were waiting the wedding party filed out to the lovely triumphal music!  Then the tour began with a history of St Albans and the building of the Cathedral. Puritans whitewashed over paintings but luckily missed a few.  We also learnt about  the re-glazing of the clear glass window to the beautiful stained glass Rose Window unveiled by Diana, Princess of Wales. The Cathedral is a mix of architecture from the using of the old Roman bricks covered in plaster to form columns, the Norman tower and the aches with painted brick patterns (because the stone is two hard to carve) copied from Moorish buildings. It is a complete mish-mash but it works.

Painted archways

There was time for a quick fuel stop before Evensong but I chose to use this time to visit the bookstall and shop (of course!).  Evensong had two choirs visiting from Florida singing the psalms and other parts of the service.  After the service my friend and I went to see if the Ice Cream van was still there (We'd spotted it earlier but didn't have the time).  It was!  Others from our party then asked where the van was - we'd started something - and off some went to get theirs.  The mini bus arrived and our group piled in and we made our way home.  It was a lovely day and I am already planning a re-visit!

The Lady Chapel once used as a school

Tapestry on exhibit showing the history of St Albans

The Rose Window

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