On Wednesday last week we went to Buckfast Abbey, in Buckfastleigh, Devon. I chose it for several reasons
We were looking for somewhere with food, loos and shelter to meet up with friends we hadn't seen for over 25 years, since they moved away from our neck of the woods and Buckfast Abbey is partway between their house and where we were staying
I remembered the Abbey, and particularly the stained glass at the East end, from when we used to atop there for breakfast on our long drives to visit my parents who lived in Falmouth; they moved away in around 1999.
Meeting our friends was wonderful; they - and maybe we - hadn't changed. It could have been 25 days instead of 25 years...
After having coffee and chatting, catching up on all the news, we decided we were getting cold and stiffening up. We went into the Abbey, and looked around.
At the far end, up some stairs, is the Chapel of Reconciliation, and there was the window.
It was better, bigger, more, than I remembered. His eyes seemed to gaze straight into yours, with no judgement, just acceptance. We all sat there in silence for about quarter of an hour just to look, and think, and pray.
It's not often I feel as though I have met with God. That morning was one of those times.
Music
'I know that my redeemer liveth'; from Handel's Messiah.
The window is glorious, the colours stunning.
ReplyDeleteStunning is the word.
DeleteI love that piece of music.
ReplyDeleteHandel composed something that carries such conviction.
DeleteWhat a lovely place to visit. That window is remarkable!! Nice that you could meet up with friends from past years.
ReplyDeleteAbout your Amaryllis...there are lots of sites that give good advice. Personally, like I mentioned on my blog, I just treat them like regular houseplants and let them re bloom when they're ready.
I'll follow your advice; it certainly seems to work for you 🙂
DeleteWhat a beautiful window.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a lovely time meeting up with old friends too!
Thank you. A day to remember
DeleteA beautiful window, and how comforting to know that you are loved with unending love.
ReplyDeleteThat's it, that's what I felt, looking at the window,
DeleteWhat a beautiful window. Buckfast Abbey was always one of our places to visit when we were down that way. I loved the bookshop
ReplyDeleteWe had a quick look in the shop; lots of gardening and gifts but not so many books. Perhaps there is a separate bookshop now; they have added a lot in the years since our last visit.
DeleteWe had a quick look in the shop; lots of gardening and gifts but not so many books. Perhaps there is a separate bookshop now; they have added a lot in the years since our last visit.
DeleteAlthough, come to think of it there was a different section that I didn't go into and that was probably books!
Delete