Salisbury Cathedral

I've been to Salisbury Cathedral a number of times and love to return to wander its huge hallways, soaking in the peace and the calm presence found within its walls.

For those who haven't visited or know much about it, Salisbury Cathedral has Englands highest spire. Whilst the foundations were laid in early 12th century, like many other cathedrals and churches, it has undergone massive changes as the political and social landscape has altered.

It remains, throughout its history, a place of reflection and learning and a powerful seat within the church structure in the UK.

One of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta is housed in the main chapel. By this I mean the original copies drawn up in 1215. The 800th year of its proclamation is next year in June - so its a bit exciting and overwhelming to think of something so important in arms length ( or maybe its just me?)

Just one of the many wonderful things about this place is that the statue which surround the doorways are still being added to; so its not just stuffy old dead guys from hundreds of years ago - but people (men normally) who hold great meaning in the Christian faith who are honoured. One such statue is of a Sudanese Priest who was matryed only a few years ago.. His name, I believe was Canon Ezra.  The poet , George Herbert is also honoured thrre.

This is Lilly holding the hand of one of the statues out the front - the Walking Madonna.

Another wonderful thing about the Cathedral is that it isn't afraid of hosting art installations which may be a bit left field. 

The latest one is called Sanctuary - by a sculptor called John Maine. There are a myriad of stones around the grounds and within the cloister. His idea was to question what the word Sanctuary meant and to express is in a physical sense.

From Twisted sandstone, to shaped marble and smoothed granite, I'm not sure what its actually saying, but it adds a different element to the grounds, bringing a modern perspective into the very perpendicular lines of the Cathedral. 

Easter Prep

Twas the night before Easter.....

We are at Sallys.. A dear friend in Salisbury for Easter. Here we have Morgan and Lilly making Easter Baskets in order to collect Easter Goodies in the morning. 

They both took the instructions very seriously and worked hard on getting everything perfectly aligned. 

Sally leant her considerable experience as well.

Finished products ready for the bunny to fill.

Camino Prep and info

For those interested in our trek across Spain, whch is now a week away from beginning. 

I've posted up a map  of all the trails of The Camino de Santiago. From the map, you can see the veins leading to Santiago - so it looks like the veins on the conch shell - a symbol of the pilgrim.

We are taking the French route - so starting in France at St Jean Pied De Port..then straight up over the Pyrenees, through Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and onto Santiago. We will go on to the coast after the Pilgrims Mass at the Cathedral.

We plan to do 10 - 15 km a day - sometimes less.. sometimes more.. with just under 60 days - we hope it will be a blessed, relaxed time for the three of us to bond and focus on our future... and to clear the minds.

The camino is a metaphor for life, how you 'do it' how you show up for it, how you handle things. So much learning and so much  peace to come to terms with. I am both  nervous and excited about the teachings which will be handed down to me along the way.  One of the biggest ones I am hoping to clarify is the theme St James Way is known for - that of love. I have done a little research on the various routes and sacred spots along the way and was both surprised.. and not surprised to find that it has a strong feminine energy and pathway throughout. 

Morgan is in charge of the trek - he will be planning every day where we stop, and where we will end up each night. He has been practicing his Spanish too and is really exited about the responsibility.

Please do follow our trek here - I will try to post every second day at least - and instagram photos will be loaded up onto facebook as we get internet coverage hopefully every day.