On our second day in England, we visited the Winchester Cathedral, about 45 minutes outside of Southampton...The cathedral was magnificent!!!
The original Saxon church was built on this spot in 648 but was demolished which ultimately left room to build the "new" cathedral. The "new" cathedral was founded in 1079...
Winchester Cathedral is not only one of the largest cathedrals in England, it is also the only cathedral featured in a popular pop song..."Winchester Cathedral", a UK top ten hit and US number one song for the New Vaudeville Band in 1966...
(Try as I might...I just don't remember the New Vaudeville Band...I remember the song, but not the band...) (I'm sure we weren't the only American tourists trying to remember and sing snippets of the song )
In the early 1900's William Walker restored the water logged foundations of the cathedral which saved it from certain collapse...he was a diver and "dove" at least six feet beneath the structure to shore it up...
The nave of the cathedral was remodeled in the 14th century...
The sweetest little Christmas cherub lighting a prayer candle...
Of course, we had to take a walk around the charming village of Winchester...
And, did I mention...our last stop...the Wykeham Arms pub, of course!!!
No children allowed but dogs are welcome!!!
Next stop...Paris!!!
The charm of these old buildings plus the architecture is magnificent.
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to go there and paint. This is going to be quite the trip.
Paris, can't wait to see the photos from there. By the way, these are awesome pics.
Of course, a pub ... are any of us surprised? Not really.
Have a great Christmas K.
Doug
Thanks DD!!! This definitely was just the beginning of what turned out to be a very fun trip!!! Paris will post in a few days!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit to my blog and I'm delighted to discover yours.
ReplyDeleteWinchester is so lovely. I visited as a child, and had quite forgotten the feel of it until I saw your photos. The thing that struck me as so foreign back then was the flints in the house walls - very strange to a kid from Scotland.
Enjoy your travels - will look forward to reading more.
Welcome Linda!!! (I'm still dreaming about that fabulous tartan dress on your blog!!!)
ReplyDeleteStunning photos. Did you stop for the night in some little hotel on that charming street?
ReplyDeleteThanks AH!!! We actually returned to Southampton...that night, our whole group went to dinner with our new and dear friends, Ann and Anthony, at a charming little local restaurant...
ReplyDelete