Many apologizes for not posting for several days. The seminar has kept us quite busy, and I did not want to haul my rather heavy laptop up to Durham. So I am just now getting to a post! I have a backlog of pictures and notes about some aspects of cathedral architecture that I will post soon.
Saturday morning I caught an early train up to Durham with several other women from the seminar. We walked from the station up to the cathedral, finding our way through Durham’s charming downtown, and enjoying the stunning view from the train. It was very bittersweet to be in there for the first time without Josh. Upon arrival, we discovered that photography is not allowed in the cathedral without prior arrangements (which means £15 and a clear explanation of why the photography is necessary). But the art historians were persuasive enough about the true necessity of these images for their classroom purposes that we convinced the head steward to let one of us take pictures. We haven’t exchanged the images yet, but will post when I do. Highlights of Durham Cathedral included: Bede’s and Cuthbert’s tombs, finding N.T. Wright’s name on the wall of bishops (dating back to the eleventh century!), walking the cloisters and recognizing Harry Potter scenery, and placing a brick on the lego version of the cathedral that is being built downstairs.
We then walked down from the cathedral, across Prebends bridge, and took pictures of the cathedral from the boathouse. The other ladies headed back up to the city centre then, but I walked up from the boathouse to Durham School, where I met Anne (an old friend of the Kriegers). As I walked up, I could hear the boys on the cricket pitch–I must admit I teared up a bit. It was lovely to be in a place that means to much to Josh. A rapid tour of Durham School (Josh’s school), Durham High (Ashley’s school), and downtown Durham ensued. Anne and I had a lovely lunch overlooking the river, while we watched the regatta teams row by.
Josh’s chemistry prize–still hanging in the dining hall
Ashley’s brick at Durham high
Then home to meet Mac and Tosh (two yellow labs), before Anne and Graham took me out to a lovely dinner. I did not stay up for the football match, but if you’re wondering, England lost to Italy. (The English are apparently the least optimistic of the Europeans about their team’s chances at the World Cup.) Sunday morning we visited Crook Hall, which is owned, inhabited, and operated by friends of the Kriegers. It has a thirteenth-century medieval hall, with additions from the Jacobean and Georgian periods. Maggie was able to join us for a quick cup of coffee and a delicious homemade scone before a large from of folks from Wisconsin showed up for lunch and a tour. We finished off the day with tea at Slayley Hall, so that Graham could get a Father’s Day golf in.
Crook Hall–built in the 1280s
I caught a 7 pm train back to York, ran to my room, dumped my things, and then raced back to the Minster, for an evening of music put on just for our seminar. A music historian who has worked extensively on medieval music which can be located in York arranged for four singers from the Ebor Singers to perform in several locations throughout the Minster, so we could hear how things would sound in different places. We got to experience music in the nave, both transepts, choir, a small side chapel, and the chapterhouse. How amazing!
I missed Josh and William terribly in Durham, and I wish Joanne could have been there as well. Today I also miss my wonderful dad, who taught me from such a young age to love learning of all different kinds, and my mom, who spent the last week watching William and keeping Josh company so that I could take this wonderful opportunity. For all my loved ones–“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121).
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