The National Arboretum 11-11-11

A holy place that is not included in the book!  At 4pm, we arrived at the National Arboretum, it was cold, grey and damp.  There were TV crews reporting to the world, from our memorial to those who have lost their lives, since the end of world war 2. 

There were so many names, so many lives and so many sons and daughters.  And to reflect our humanity, there was so much space, for those still living, those perhaps not yet born, who in the future will give their lives in service of our country.

This was a truly holy, place, a place where time stops, just for a moment, and those who are remembered bring us closer to God.

Lichfield Cathedral

On 11th November I visited Lichfield Cathedral.  WOW.  It is a beautiful place.

It was a cold grey day, yet the cathedral was filled with light.  The glass surrounding the high altar, had been removed for restoration and had been replaced with clear plain glass.  This bathed the cathedral in light, and as you gazed up the aisle, you could see the trees beyond, holding onto their last few leaves as winter takes it's hold.

This amazing medeival angel was found when excavations were undertaken for the installation of the Nave altar platform.  It was just amazing.  Perhaps the most holy part of the cathedral for me, was St Chad's chapel, up in the roof of the cathedral, a haven of peace and of quiet, where one could imagine spending many hours in contemplation.