A Take It Easy Day

Liz and Mike had an appointment over in Durham for the renewal of Mike’s passport – they’re off to France next week to be in charge at a Quaker retreat place in the south, and they hadn’t realised that though the passport hadn’t actually expired, the EU likes to have a six-month leeway. Liz has an Irish passport, but Mike’s had to be new – luckily they managed to get an emergency appointment. So they set off around 8am, and I stayed a little longer to do yesterday’s blog, now that I had a decent wifi signal.

Liz and me

They have a house that looks small from the outside, but actually has four bedrooms – necessary when the family comes to stay!  It sits right on the Skipton canal, and is conveniently situated for the railway,  the supermarkets and the like – there’s a constant flow of people (and dogs) along the tow-path.

Swan and cygnets

Blog published and done, I packed up my stuff, reorganized the car, and set off, planning to loop north and drop down on York from above.  I planned to go via Grassington and Pately Bridge – a wonderful drop into the Nidd Valley and then a climb out – and aim for Fountains Abbey, near Ripon.  Sadly the day that had begun with sunshine saw bands of rain crossing the country, and it was pouring when I got there.  I love that place – but not in the rain – I’ll have to see how Monday is for some ruins.

So I decided to treat myself, and turned off the road after Boroughbridge and found a little country pub and had a nice lunch – I’d rather eat at lunchtime anyway!

Lunch at The PunchBowl

It was still raining as I approached York, and the traffic increased. I’d pre-booked a “hotel” (a posh name for something that was more of a basic guest house), but it was an easy walk into the city, and it meant I could just leave my car there.
By the time I had myself settled, the rain had eased off, and I set off to walk – my legs are feeling the effect of the past couple of days, and my ankles are a bit swollen, so I’m not going to push things this weekend.  I walked south of the River Foss to find where the Early Music Centre was, and then back up to the Minster. York was very crowded and very noisy – even with no motor traffic, you’re dealing with crowds all the time. I found a nice quiet back-way to make the return journey.

Bridge over the Foss

Evensong was at 5:30pm and at 5pm there was already a good lineup. They admitted us, though not into the Quire – we could hear the Minster Choir still rehearsing.  Once they were done, and gone to put surplices on, we were let in.  I found myself just east of the Cantoris choir – and there, sitting opposite me, were the members (and hangers-on) of the choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria. They are in residence at St Mary’s Cathedral Edinburgh, and had come down by train for a non-singing day in York.  Anne Dyson-Graves, who I used to sing with in Elektra, was there, and Ian Alexander and Marilyn Dalzell – we had some talk as we left after the service, but they had to run for their train. They’re singing at Westminster Abbey and St Geroge’s Chapel Windsor next week – but I don’t get to London till after they’ve gone.
The music was wonderful!  The girls were singing this evening, rather than the boys – and the service included a Bairstow introit, the Howells “Gloucester Service” and Bach’s “Lobet den Herrn” – what a feast!  No photos allowed inside the Minster, but the following gentlemen were on display in the mason’s yard at the east end – the building and its carvings are continuously in process of cleaning and restoring. I don't know who they are, but they're entertaining!

An early turn-in – tomorrow will be a day full of church music!