Lossiemouth and Elgin

On our second day, we went to Lossiemouth. Mom was looking for some fresh fish. Apparently there were lots of options when Susan Kalman visited. We did not get the same greeting and there was nothing! So we has a walk and lunch by the beach instead. The beach was amazing. White sand and huge. And practically empty - just the way I like it. And there were enough dogs to get a left dog cuddles from random dogs, including an adorable greyhound. 

On the way back we passed through Elgin and I really wanted to see the cathedral ruins. The cathedral, also know as the 'Lantern of the North', is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in Scotland. And It is lovely. It was first built in 1224, though it had to be rebuilt a few times over the next few hundred years. 

One of the towers is still standing and you can go up. On each level, there are displays, mostly of stone carvings from the original build and from the 14th contrary. It was quite impressive how complete they still are 700 years later. 

The original glass of 1200s. 

How it would have looked.

Mom made it about half way up. Dad and I went to the top though 3/4 of the way up I realised she had the right idea. The stairs got smaller and steeper and more worn and it was a bit hairy at times, especially going back down.

freedom!

The view from the first floor balcony was lovely. It must have been so impressive when build. And it would have had a rose window (like that in Notre Dame) at the far end.

View from the first floor

We had a wonder around the grounds. I liked some of the graves. 

The best bit was prayer room which is still standing. There is a giant pillar in the centre and a gorgeous ceiling. Mom and I couldn't agree whether it was stone under wood. I still vote stone. It was very peaceful in there and really quiet. 

While mom and I sat waiting for dad (he loves taking photos in grave yards), I got some nice dramatic shots. 

After we finally corralled dad we headed back to Elgin. Dad and I have another swim and then we went to the site pub for dinner (thanks to the lack of fish). But it was tasty so we weren't too disappointed. 

Worcester

On the Wednesday before Christmas, with mom at work, dad and I went to Worcester to continue his sushi education. We got there a little early and went to the Cathedral for a wonder around. It is a beautiful place and really interesting.

I did geek out a little at a couple of the tombs (which is an odd thing to say). The first was of Prince Arthur, who was Henry VIII's older brother. He was married to Katherine of Aragon, but died shortly after the wedding and apparently before they consummated the marriage. Henry VIII then went on to marry her and used the fact that she had been married to his brother as the main reason to annul the marriage 26 yrs later so he could marry Ann Boleyn. If this kid had lived and become King of England, the world may have been a very different place these days.

Prince Arthurs tomb.

The second was that of King John. He was the youngest son of Henry II, brother to King Richard the Lion Heart and the King John from the stories of Robin Hood. This guy was a nasty little man and resulted the Magna Carta, a list of rights the King and the people, signed in 1215. This was the first time a king was held reasonable his actions and to his people. (He really annoyed his lords, doing things like giving away their lands when he wanted to,  in one case stealing and marrying on of their fiancés, as well as forcing many of the wives to sleep with him and upping taxes to pay for his fun. So he had it coming.) 

He died of dissentry and broke as he lost all his money and the crown jewels in a river he was trying to cross running from his enemies. As far as I know it was the only time the French actually successfully invaded England - they were invited by the English who asked the French prince to take the English throne and get rid of John. They really didn't like him!

As soon as he died, the English stood behind his infant son as King and sent the French back home.

King John's tomb

Around the cloisters of the cathedral, there was a Christmas competition of local businesses and schools. We wondered around and cast our vote before heading for Sushi.

My favourite.

From egg boxes.

Second favourite - a rubber duck tree.

We went to Yo! Sushi for lunch and Dad continued his sushi education. I like I have him hooked!

Canterbury

Mom and dad came down this weekend for a seaside road trip. They arrived Thursday afternoon and we spent the evening chatting, drinking wine and eating. And Dad and I doing face masks. (Mom chickened out this time.)

We look a little crazy!

We left home on Friday morning and headed to Canterbury, getting the park and ride into town. (We did have to make a small stop on the way to release Jiminy Cricket who had hitched a ride in my car.) The town centre is very pretty and we had a lovely lunch, before heading to the Cathedral.

Canterbury Cathedral

They are doing a load of construction work on the cathedral so we couldn't see the roof which was a shame. But we could see part in another section. (Must go back when it's finished.)

Centre.

Canterbury Cathedral is where Thomas Beckett was murdered. He was archbishop of Canterbury in mid-1100s and a friend of King Henry II. At least at the start. They grew apart and became enemies. Apparently Henry said something like "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" Some of his knights seemed to take this literally, rode off and beheaded Thomas inside his own Cathedral. Thomas Becket became a saint and martyr, and miracles apparently took place there often. (People also sold off any bit of him or his things they could find.) 

Thought to be site of Thomas Beckets death.

Tribute to Thomas Becket.

The ceiling

Shrine to Thomas Beckets first tomb (destroyed by Henry VIII).

Alter to the Martyrs.

We were really lucky with the weather all weekend. And cloisters outside (near where the current archbishop stills lives) are very pretty and peaceful.

We got back to the car just in time for it to rain, and headed down to our hotel in St. Margarets on the Cliffe. We were all really impressed with the accommodation; it was a small hotel on the site of a hotel/caravan park. We walked into the village for dinner but all the restaurants and pubs were all booked out so headed back to the bar at the site. The food was very good and there was a separate bar for the kids so fairly quiet.