After the lunch at Ludham and a visit to the wonderful church of St Catherine, Aitch suggested a walk around the ruins of St Benet's abbey. (That's a lovely interactive website, do visit it!) Although very little remains of the original buildings, there is definitely an atmosphere of calm and tranquillity here.
As the 1000th anniversary was being celebrated this year, some large willow and hessian sculptures have been installed to give a sense of the monks walking the land. There are services still held at the large oak cross and the diocese falls under the protection of the Bishop of Norwich. Many coins had been pressed (hammered - something Aitch and I debated) into the wood. This practice likely harks back, we discovered, to Welsh/Celtic practices for protection from ills. I guess now, it is in the form prayer ritual. We both did find that the sound of the two ladies banging a coin into the cross was a tad disturbing - given the symbolism.
It was a sublime spot and we sat for some time just enjoying the ambience. Then, all too soon, it was time to make our way to the airport. We were there with a full hour available to sit and have another cuppa together as we watched the planes landing from Malaga, Amsterdam and other European places. Including the Edinburgh run!
I mentioned previously how much I enjoyed my Loganair flight. The return journey confirmed my first impressions. I wrote about it for The Mile High Club.
That was it. Quite possibly that was my very last trip to East Anglia, as Aitch is due to move to Northumbria in October. Another chapter.
As the 1000th anniversary was being celebrated this year, some large willow and hessian sculptures have been installed to give a sense of the monks walking the land. There are services still held at the large oak cross and the diocese falls under the protection of the Bishop of Norwich. Many coins had been pressed (hammered - something Aitch and I debated) into the wood. This practice likely harks back, we discovered, to Welsh/Celtic practices for protection from ills. I guess now, it is in the form prayer ritual. We both did find that the sound of the two ladies banging a coin into the cross was a tad disturbing - given the symbolism.
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| The oak came from the Sandringham Estate - gifted by The Queen. |
It was a sublime spot and we sat for some time just enjoying the ambience. Then, all too soon, it was time to make our way to the airport. We were there with a full hour available to sit and have another cuppa together as we watched the planes landing from Malaga, Amsterdam and other European places. Including the Edinburgh run!
I mentioned previously how much I enjoyed my Loganair flight. The return journey confirmed my first impressions. I wrote about it for The Mile High Club.
That was it. Quite possibly that was my very last trip to East Anglia, as Aitch is due to move to Northumbria in October. Another chapter.
one of your comments here made me think of my husband story of his childhood. their dad would take 5 kids and the 2 parents for a Sunday RIDE and sit at the airport and watch planes lift off and land. a couple of hours of entertainment.
ReplyDeleteWow...you are right about the St.Benet's abbey website, I just got lost in there for a bit and have bookmarked it for future perusing. What a mysterious and fascinating history!
ReplyDelete1000th anniversary OM word...
ReplyDeleteThank you for the St. Benet's Abbey website. I too have bookmarked for us.
Like the monks along the path..very cleverly made too.
Hugs
HiC
What an interesting place. The monk installation in quite unique. Closing chapters seem a bit more sad in the fall of the year. We are coming up on 6 years from closing the Missouri chapter. Of course there are still cousins and close friends that draw us back for special events but even those are dwindling. But what wonderful memories for us to cherish. namaste, janice, xx
ReplyDelete1000 years blows my mind!
ReplyDeleteI love all that. What an amazing place. xx
ReplyDeleteI cannot tell you how much I enjoy your adventures with Haitch.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the very old places, like the Abbey. Here in the US mountains, we have absolutely nothing like it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteomg a church with my name!!! love it!!!
ReplyDeleteFascinating that coinage is used so universally as an religious offering. Coins into rivers, coins into wood.
ReplyDeleteThe lit up doorway mimics a candle in a niche.
I think if you were to see those monks on a dark stormy night, they would be quite lifelike and scary!
ReplyDeleteKlem
1000 years is kinda mind-blowing.
ReplyDeleteAmazing place. Thanks a lot for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow - 1000 years old! What an incredible place!
ReplyDeleteA fascinating place to visit
ReplyDeletehugs
Mabel & Hilda
I love the 'monks' walking....they really do give that feel.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this - reminds me that when we are next in Suffolk (which we visit quite often) we must continue with our project of exploring Norfolk too.
ReplyDelete