Hello,
I have just come back from Rochester. There is a festival called the Sweeps Festival When everyone needed their chimneys swept the festival, at the beginning of May, was the Sweeps’ Holiday. They had a 7 foot character called ‘Jack in the Green’ and had a ceremony at dawn on Blue Bell Hill near where Chris lives. She didn’t get up for that! I didn’t see anything of the festival but I did hear some very loud music which I did not like very much and saw lots of people.
Chris and I went into the Cathedral where Chris was offering visitors a hand massage. The first person she met was from Holland and the family were here on holiday. We found out afterwards that the visiting choir is also from Holland.
I did not see anything outside the Lady Chapel but I was really intrigued to see a model of the Easter Tomb. There were also people lighting candles.
Chris ‘bought’ a tile from the roof which will be replaced with her name on it! I was a bit upset she did not buy one for me but she did get a second in memory of her Mum & Dad.
It was lovely to be in the Cathedral for Evensong. Chris had to ‘work’ through it but we were able to hear it well.
There was an exhibition about a really old manuscript called the Textus Roffensis. Apparently this is owned by the Cathedral and was written when I was a boy. I would really love to see that sometime.
The bell is going for Compline and I am looking forward to my bed after such a busy day.
I shall write soon.
Every Blessing
Aelred.