Advent Week 3: Orange and Lemons Say the Bells of St.Various

[bluemeanybeany]

One of the best thing about Christmas Shopping in London is that if it gets too hectic/rains too heavily; you can always nip into a convenient Church for a sit down. There are a lot of Churches in the Square Mile. In Medieval Times there were 88, however 1000 years and two Firestorms have culled their number to about 30.

Comments

[bluemeanybeany]

[mrua7]

This was wonderful! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and observations as well as the photographs.

[bluemeanybeany]

lol, you don't want to get me started, I adore the little Churches and could go on about them at length, they've each got their own Personality and Character. They're basically each a special little battered Tardis, I take it in turns to go and say hello to them during my lunch-hours.

[mrua7]

Actually I don't mind at all, I find what you have to say on the subject very interesting and like your insights and little jabs here and there.

Calling them each a little Tardis is actually spot on. We don't have buildings that have such character and memories that have occupied them over the passage of time.

We're a young country, and what we have now will never, even into another century or more, have the same history as your structures will.

I wish I could visit and see these places in person. My cousin is lucky enough to have done so and will do it again, as she's marrying a lovely gent from Liverpool. (maybe I can stowaway in their luggage some day LOL)

[bluemeanybeany]

oh God I hope it isn't one of my relatives! I seem to be related to everyone in Liverpool. Saying that my relatives wouldn't be doing something as respectable as getting married so it can't be them. ;)

Tell you a massive benefit America does have through being young - sensible town planning along a logical grid structure. We're still using the pre-Medieval street plan. Which only makes sense if you're a 9th Century Farmer and certainly does not foresee the invention of the car. The only streets like American ones are the Roman Roads and that's because the Romans being an efficient military unit, built their roads straight and wide.

As kids we got told the Romans built their roads straight as a cunning trick so the Britons couldn't hide around the corner and ambush them, and wide so they could march killer death legions speedily to crush rebellion, but this may just be a continuation of celtic resentment. Having experienced an American grid system with numbered streets, it is a lot more efficient for day to day usage.

[sparky955]

Beanie...your photography is marvelous!
Thank you for posting these.

[bluemeanybeany]

ta, but i've not really done them justice i'm afraid. I find the older something is the harder it is to take its photo properly.

[draycevixen]

MG has always been fascinated by all the pagan symbols on the ancient churches in the Cotswolds. He particularly enjoys all the Green Men. *g*

[bluemeanybeany]

I love the Green Men too, there's nothing wrong with a bit of pagan iconography in your Church, it's just hedging your bets innit should God feel like he needs the day off.

[loxleyprince]

I don't think I've ever been inside St. Paul's so ta for posting these photos, Meany. I'm well impressed by the ornate ceiling.

[bluemeanybeany]

that's cause they're a bunch of greedy git who want £15 to get in - I have a massive problem with that. However if you're in a work suit and have a British accent and say "sorry, excuse me I didn't realize the Church was closed, what time will you be opening later...." the heavies with the walkie-talkies let you in. "Please may I go light a candle" works in Westminster Abbey.