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One Year On
Sunday 9th May 2021 was the very start of my journey with the trees…
Paula and I began the day at Hill Head Beach, close to where the Spine of Albion Alignment enters Hampshire from the Isle of Wight. From there we visited Titchfield Haven Nature Reserve, St. Peter’s Church, West Street Sarsen Stones and the atmospheric Titchfield Abbey. On to St. Bartholomew’s Church in Botley and I finished a very satisfying, successful day under the venerable old Yew Tree at St. Mary’s Church in Twyford.
And suddenly, here we are one year on and, honestly I promise you, it wasn’t until we had arranged to meet up on Sunday 8th May that the penny dropped….one year on exactly to the day!
So, we weren’t on the the Elen line, but we did honour some trees – and how can you not when you’re in the middle of the New Forest!!
“Kridjo Galwo, I walk for the trees, I talk to the trees; I dance for the trees, I sing to the trees; I honour the trees, I listen to the trees; and the trees listen to us.”
You can’t be in the New Forest and not take, at least, one photo of the ponies!!!
As I have mentioned before I have made the difficult and sad decision to ‘press the pause button’ on my Walk for the Trees. I am not saying I have stopped honouring the trees…oh no, no…nothing is further from the truth; and I am not saying I am never going to follow Elen on her journey along the Spine of Albion again. Oh no, no. The Elen line is in my blood now and is quietly calling and waiting for me to take up where I left off. However, when that will be I don’t know and it doesn’t matter either. I don’t need to set a date, I don’t need to put myself under any pressure, I will quietly and gently pick up Wilma’s reins again and set off when the time is right.
I will be closing my JustGiving page very soon and the money will be winging its way off to plant some more trees.
So a huge thank you to all of you who have donated to my JustGiving page and to everyone who has taken the time to read my blogs. It really has been the most wonderful adventure.
Gillian and the Trees has raised £1,195.00 since May 2021, which has enabled 2,350 trees to be planted with TreeSisters and helped a UK based organisation with their tree planting schemes.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
KRIDJO, KRIDJO, KRIDJO
Even in Abu Dhabi…..
So, just because I was in a different country, on a different continent even, and just because I wasn’t following the Elen line along the Spine of Albion, it didn’t mean I had to stop honouring the Trees!!!! And, trust me, there were plenty of Trees to stop and spend time with…
And since I have returned home I have, to my delight, discovered that during 2021 Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency (EAD) have initiated a project to locate, number and specifically monitor old trees in the Emirate to ensure their protection from threats. Around 100,000 Ghaf and Samar trees are known to grow in the Emirate and these will be identifed and tagged as part of the project. Through this project, the EAD aims to protect and to enhance the quality of available data on local trees in natural habitats. A detailed assessment of the condition of each tree will be recorded, along with other morphological information that will further help in assessing the trees’ resilience in combating desertification to mitigate climate change.
Now, just sit back and enjoy a few of the photos I snapped of some of the Trees and their adornments ………
And this blog would not be complete without me mentioning the rather wonderful afternoon stroll we took following the route of part of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove National Park, just over the other side of the water.
The ability of Mangroves to sequester and store huge amounts of carbon plays an important role in global carbon budgets and in the process of mitigating climate change. Mangroves are recognised as one of the three key ‘blue carbon’ habitats and are among the most carbon-rich forests in the tropics. They are able to sequester 6 to 8 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per hectare per year. These rates are about two to four times greater than rates observed in mature tropical forests . Wow, I honestly hadn’t realised, before visiting here, the immense importance of these particular areas and how like the Rainforests and our native woodlands they are under threat too.
Suffice to say we were extremely grateful to reach the welcoming coolness of a rooftop bar at the end of our afternoon jaunt!
And just because I can (heehee) I’m going to show you some random photos taken while I was on my hols…..
Always honouring the Trees
I may have pressed the pause button on my actual journey along the Spine of Albion for now, but it hasn’t stopped me from honouring the trees!
In the past week, on my daily walks through the local woods, I have been visiting all the trees that were uprooted or lost boughs during the high winds of last weekend – honouring them and thinking of the life they will possibly afford to other forms of nature during the coming winter months.
Even though our local farmer thinks I’m a little crazy, he always makes sure I know of any that have fallen on his land and asks me if I’ve given them a kiss! I would have definitely missed this mighty Oak, that has come right out of the ground, if he hadn’t told me where to find it. Guess he cares really!!
So just thought I would pop by here to let you know that I am still on a mission to raise awareness of the massive importance of Trees to our planet and, as they are falling, to reiterate the message that we need to keep supporting the charities and organisations that have the schemes operating to replace them.
My Just Giving page is still active and will remain so until Autumn 2022, so if you feel drawn to give a small donation, as always, I will say ‘thank you with gratitude’.
Pressing the ‘pause’ button
After careful consideration and discussion with Gilly, who was to be my travelling companion for the next stage of my Tree Journey up to Clitheroe, we came to the joint decision to ‘raincheck’ until the Spring. I feel sad that I am not going to get to know Elen’s route in Lancashire this year, but hey….a beautiful part of the country to look forward to seeing in 2022. It wasn’t a decision taken lightly, but we took many factors into account and, at the end of the day, I think it is important to take care of our own wellbeing and it’s not like we have pressed the ‘stop’ button, just the ‘pause’ one.
So I’ve decided to look back on what I have achieved, in 2021, on my Journey to honour the Trees…
In May, Paula and I joined with the Elen energy line at Titchfield Nature Reserve, close to where the Spine of Albion alignment enters Hampshire from the Isle of Wight. We finished our visit to Titchfield at the Abbey and stood on the spot where Elen crosses with her male counterpart, Belinus, both feeling the flow of the energies beneath our feet. Churches at Botley and Twyford also featured that day and I met possibly one of the oldest Yew Trees in the country. Not a bad start, eh?!
Next visit, also in May, was to Winchester with Paula, Lorrainne, Nicole, Sara and Sandi. Here we walked up St. Catherine’s Hill and spent time in the Beech Grove and at the Labryinth – another node point where Elen crosses with Belinus – and again that experience of the flow of energies, this time gently pushing us all slightly off kilter as we quietly and slowly walked the curves. Descending the hill we walked across the Water Meadows past the Hospital of St. Cross and on into the grounds of the mighty Winchester Cathedral.
Still in May, Gilly and I followed Elen and honoured the Trees at two rather wonderful churches, one in Headbourne Worthy and the other in Micheldever……..before walking part of the famous Watership Down to Ladle Hill.
Beginning of June saw me with Gill, not finding each other in the glorious village of Inkpen, but joining up to walk Walbury Hill and then on to connect with the rather magnificent London Plane Tree, outside St. Mary’s Church in Chilton Foliat.
Then it was off to the Cotswolds in Wilma with Steve and Bracken. With Burford as our base for a few days, we followed Elen as she flowed through a great many churches…….
……and enjoyed a wonderful walk to the legendary Rollright Stones. Our walking companions that day were Amanda, Nic and Richard and before we set off we were joined at St. Mary’s Church Salford by the inspirational Clare Dubois – founder of TreeSisters. Wow, that was such a tremendous bonus and a huge honour.
The next trip out in Wilma, with Steve and Bracken, we stayed just outside of Stratford upon Avon. Again we followed Elen’s path to various churches in and around Stratford and, of course, to Stratford upon Avon itself, where Amanda joined me for a few hours.
From our base we drove to just south of Birmingham City and explored Moseley Bog, a tranquil woodland in an otherwise built up area and one where Tolkien took inspiration for his famous literary works.
The next stage of my Tree Journey, at the beginning of July, was the first time I had ventured out on my own. I was joined by Clare who met me at St. Mary’s Church Handsworth on the first day, and we very quickly whiled away a whole morning there, being lucky enough to gain entry inside the church and honouring the trees and dowsing the Elen energy line through the churchyard.
Overall this stage was a bit of a mixed bag – presenting challenges as well as highlights – one of the highlights being Lichfield and its simply stunning Cathedral. What a jewel.
So although I wasn’t aware at the time, this was to be the last part of the Pilgrimage for 2021. It was lovely to be travelling with Steve and Bracken again and we visited the rather marvellous Shugborough National Trust Estate (joined by Sam and Amber); we climbed The Cloud and touched the Bridestones; and spent a fabulous day at Greenway Bank Country Park, where I was so moved by the strength of Elen’s and the Trees’ energies at Gawton’s Well in the Yew Grove I simply sat and cried.
Such a privilege to have connected with and honoured so many trees along Elen’s energy line as she twists and turns around the Spine of Albion, crossing at points with the alignment itself and with Belinus, the male energy line, too.
Through peoples’ generosity I have, so far, raised over £1,000 which I have donated to TreeSisters and Ancient and Sacred Trees. My donation to TreeSisters will plant 1,875 trees in the Tropics and, of course, will also help towards Weleda’s mission to plant 1 million with them.
I am not stopping here though, as I said at the beginning of this post I am just pressing the ‘pause’ button…..next year will see me in Lancashire, the Lake District and Scotland, closely following Elen’s path, honouring the trees. I have ‘renewed’ my JustGiving page for another 12 months, as we still need to be planting trees, both here in the UK and worldwide to help in the cause to combat climate change. http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gillianandthetrees
Thank you for following my journey so far……………
My Bonus Day!
Originally today’s plan was for us to have a mini, mini break with some non-tree journey time (although I probably never have, or want to have, a non-tree day to be fair) and spend a day walking around Carsington Water. As we hadn’t fancied any more walking yesterday, after our climb up the Cloud and subsequent walk to the Bridestones, we had actually missed out on exploring Greenway Bank Country Park. So Steve suggested, as the Country Park had woodland and water too, why not spend time there instead. Woohoo!
Parking up in the relatively small car park we made our way to the visitors/information ‘hut’ to pay for our entrance, to be met by one of the volunteer rangers who informed us that both the carpark and the entrance to the Park was, unbelievably, free. Having told him which areas of the Park I was particularly interested in he disappeared into the ‘hut’ and came back, after what seemed an age, with a map. And very grateful we were for it too, as it turned out!!! Well worth the wait!
What an absolute gem of an area to discover. Covering 114 acres in total with extensive woodlands which are home to beech, oak, sweet chestnut, pine, birch, rowan, wych elm, willow, alder and yew and probably other trees I haven’t mentioned too!
Conservation of the natural history of this area forms an important part of the Park Rangers’ work and it is easy to see why wandering around these delightful grounds.
In 1808 an industrialist from Salford, John Bateman, purchased the estates of Biddulph and Knypersley and Elen’s path passes through the Warder’s Tower which he had built in the grounds and which, until recent years, was still used as a cottage. I thought the building would not have been out of place in a horror film!! A foreboding building indeed. The ‘manor house’ of the estate was demolished when Staffordshire County Council bought the land in the early 1970’s as it had fallen into a decaying and unsafe state of repairs.
Carrying on past the Tower and following the paths on the map, we soon came to the area that I had so wanted to spend time in when I had originally planned this stage of my journey…………
…..Gawton’s Well through which the Elen energy line flows.
During the 17th century, according to legend, one of the servants at Knypersley Hall became ill with the plague. He was forced to leave service and went to live in a cave near Knypersley Pool. Nearby was a spring in which he bathed each day and drank the waters. The spring was believed, by local folk, to heal skin diseases and the servant, Gawton, was cured of the plague. However, he continued to stay and live a hermit’s life in a nearby cave until his death. I like to think some truth lies in this story, even though historical research shows that dates do not entirely match the legend!!
The Grove of Yew Trees, in which the well sits, is nothing short of magical and the emotion that rose in me as I walked through the old perimeter wall towards the water was immense. Such a powerful place to honour the trees in. Other honourings had also taken place in this area, evidenced by some cloutie rags still hanging from the branches.
Even though the well was not exactly the most prepossessing of sights it holds the most beautiful energy and to watch the water flow down through a series of stone basins into a stream was mesmerising. And as I sat with my fingers trailing in the waters I felt my tears start to fall.
Following Elen’s flow, via my trusty Spine of Albion book, she passes through the idyllic area of the Yew Grove, across a footpath to this old stone set in the ground and one which I possibly would have missed had I not been following the text in the book. It is thought this stone could possibly be all that’s left of a cross shaft that marked Gawton’s Hermitage. And looking up from the stone we were met with this sight………………
…..a cave or crevice in the rock face – maybe this was the hermit’s cave?
Or was it here? Gawton’s Stone? The Victorians believed that the stones were a Druidic Cromlech and Mr. Bateman (remember him, the man who purchased the 2 estates at the beginning of the 1800’s) believed that the whole area had once been a Druid Sanctuary.
According to folklore, the Stones were traditionally a place of healing for those who crawled under them. So, what’s a girl got to do………
I absolutely loved Greenway Bank Country Park – every single inch of it – and would love it to be closer to home as I would most definitely be paying regular visits to Gawton’s Well for its peaceful, holding, sacred energies and I, for one, believe it was once (and maybe still is) a Druidic place of sanctuary.
Thank you Steve for suggesting we explored here to end this stage of my Tree journey on.
As usual other ‘non-tree life’ takes over when I arrive back home, so this blog is probably arriving a bit later than normal – things have been a tad busy recently.
Since being back, I have had the ‘surprise’ closure of my Just Giving crowdfunding page. I say surprise because somewhere in the T & C’s I had missed that there is a finite time for these pages to be active. All donations are safely in my nominated bank account and will be distributed to my 2 chosen charities very soon. As usual, I have found the help from the Just Giving site to be invaluable and I will be setting up another page, same links etc., very soon and now I know I can extend the time limit!
Also there has been the small decision of whether to plan another stage this year! Currently, I am leaning towards “yes I will”, but it’s going to be a long drive northwards in Wilma. So, watch this space, as they say!
The Cloud and the Bridestones
Following Elen’s journey northwards, along the Spine of Albion, brought us to Bosley Cloud. The Cloud is a prominent hill on the border between Cheshire and Staffordshire a couple of miles west of the Peak District National Park. At 343 metres in height, it is one of the highest hills in the area or, in my estimation, one of the smallest mountains!!! By the time I arrived at the top, incredibly windswept, I certainly felt I had climbed a mountain. The views, however, from the ‘summit’ were so worth the trek….I don’t think my photos come close to doing them justice.
Close to this trig point the female and male energy lines cross each other
I’d done my research before heading out to the Cloud and found that there was a picnic site and car park from which to start our walk. So we were able to leave Wilma safely and start our steady walk upwards through beautiful woodland (tree honouring opportunities all the way) on well worn paths to reach the top. I’ve since read that a Good Friday tradition (Victorian times?) was for local millworkers to don their Sunday best and take the paths to the top with supplies of hot cross buns and lemonade.
On our way back to the picnic spot (a good few hours later!) we stopped and chatted with a local who told us that where we were parked had once been the site of Timbersbrook Silk Mill and in the early 1900’s Silver Springs Bleaching and Dyeing Works was formed. The water from the millpond (which we were standing next to) had once powered the Mill and Works and is now known locally as an important breeding site for toads – unfortunately I think they were all hiding under the lily pads while we stood there chatting!
So back to the top of the hill….after having a moment or two breather we started to walk down the hill on the opposite side to find the Bridestones from where the Elen energy line approaches the spine of Cloud Hill.
The Bridestones site is of huge importance, both historically and archaeologically and the Bridestones, themselves, are a group of standing megaliths, which according to excavations carried out in the 1930’s, were once part of a late Neolitihic long barrow dating from 2300BC with a paved court in front of the burial chamber which is a feature rarely seen in Europe. Unfortunately, there has been mass, wanton destruction of the site over the years, with hundreds of tons of stone being taken by builders in the late 18th century to build a nearby road and houses! Anybody who is familiar with West Kennet Long Barrow in Wiltshire would be able to start to visualise what this site once looked like, however research has discovered that this barrow would have been larger than the one at West Kennet, making it the greatest chambered long barrow in Britain.
This was located on the opposite side of the track to the main site of the stones. A theory is that it is some sort of a shrine and includes a sacred stone which is connected with the Bridestones. You can see that the shape of a cross has been carved into the top of the stone.
Strangely, it wasn’t until we had walked along the road, past the stones, and glanced back that we realised we had walked right past them! Approaching from the direction we had walked they were quite hidden.
A slightly precarious walk along a fairly busy road with no footpaths brought us back to the picnic spot and a very late lunch in Wilma, which we felt was much deserved!
As we drove back to the campsite we passed these wonderful steel sculptures on 2 of Uttoxeter’s roundabouts……The Centaur and Bull, created by internationally renowned artist Andy Scott, were commissioned as part of a regeneration programme to raise the profile of the market town.
And so another day honouring the trees and following Elen along the Spine of Albion came to a close – back to base camp and a re-think about the following day’s plan!!
Back on the road … to Staffordshire
This trip was originally going to be just me, on my own again for a couple of days, then off to Weleda’s Centenary Festival in Derbyshire. Unfortunately, the Festival was cancelled for the same reason as so many events have been cancelled this past year. So suddenly, it was all change and Steve and Bracken came ‘on board’. With a slight change of planning and an extended stay booked at the campsite all became right with the world again. Well, until we arrived at our temporary ‘home’ only to discover that Wilma’s waterworks had given up the ghost!!!! And we had seemingly run out of gas!!!! I say seemingly because we had a spare gas bottle on board which decided to come out in sympathy with the water supply. Heyho, not a happy first evening I must admit. It also made me question how I would have managed on my own and it’s made me think quite seriously about whether I want to undertake future ‘solo’ trips.
Anyway, let’s not dwell on the dismal as Steve worked out what was wrong with the gas supply that evening and by the following morning the taps sprung into action and we had running water again. Don’t ask…..only Wilma knows what went wrong!!!
So before I start telling you about where we travelled to, let me just show you my evening view from the campsite……
We were pitched at the Caravan & Motorhome’s Club Site at Uttoxeter Race Course – no race days while we were there so no chance of a little flutter, but a very nice site and within walking distance of the town. The church was very prettily lit up at night and very tuneful at times during the early part of the evenings – I reckon there are some very enthusiastic bell ringers in Uttoxeter.
Obviously, I couldn’t resist a visit and a meander around the grounds!
So, where was our first ‘Spine of Albion’ visit on this trip? Well, it was to the National Trust’s Shugborough Estate. So much history attached to the estate, so much to explore, so many trees …. a really interesting place and one that I would most definitely like to re-vist, the next time going into the House itself. I am so happy to say that I was joined by one of my fellow Weleda’s, the lovely Sam Youngz and her cute four legged friend, Amber. We got lost getting to Shugborough, they didn’t!!! So after a quick cup of coffee at the cafe and with my trusty notes to hand we set off to follow Elen’s path through the Estate.
The Elen energy line heads to this rather strange, but quirky, monument upon which a stone carving of a cat seems to preside over the area from the top of an urn supported by the heads of horned goats! In the book it says there are 4 goats, but we thought it looked as if it just might be 2 two headed goats….even more strange! Then below, on the column, there is a relief panel showing 2 winged griffins either side of a Rococo-esque style Grail cup. All very fascinating.
You can see why Sam was reminded of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland……
Following the cat’s gaze across the river we come to the Shepherd’s Monument, another Elen connection.
An inscription or code below the carving, based on Nicholas Poussin’s painting ‘Arcadian Shepherds’, reads O U O S V A V V D.M. This has baffled scientists and linguists for years and various theories have been put forward as to its meaning. Even the famous Bletchley Park has put forward its own theory!
Oh my goodness, the theories and suggestions connected with this inscription are so incredibly fascinating – you will have to do your own ‘digging’ if I have piqued your interest!!!
Just to the east of the Shepherd’s Monument is a Yew Tree, unlike any I have seen before. It appears, at first sight, to be a massive hedge/bush and seems to stretch for acres. In 2009 it was entered in the Tree Register of the British Isles as the tree with the largest spreading crown of any tree in Britain and Ireland, with a canopy the same size as the auditorium of the Royal Albert Hall!!
At the beginning of 2020, 15 volunteers worked for 2 days to trim it back to maintain its health.
This magnificent Yew originally had a tunnel running through it and it is thought that one of Shugborough’s former residents, Patrick Lichfield, and his sister used it as a childhood den. Oh to have had a den like that in my back garden!
To say I was ‘blown away’ by this tree would be an understatement so I managed to get myself a little way inside under its canopy, amongst the tangle of branches, and Sam and I did an honouring ceremony for not only this Yew, but all Yews, not only this tree, but all trees.
Kridjo Galwo Eburo
“We walk for the trees, we talk to the trees; we dance for the trees, we sing to the trees; we honour the trees and we listen to the trees; and the trees listen to us.”
After spending time with the record breaking Yew Tree, we continued our journey with Elen to another rather strange monument called ‘the Ruin’ on which is the seated figure of a Druid, which I have to say was like a weird optical illusion as part of his body has eroded away over time. From here Elen flows across the river to an island where there was once a classical colonnade said to be a copy of the Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum. The colonnade may have long gone, but we did find some rather nice leaf shaped willow sculptures….
and a throne!!!!
Having spent a delightful few hours with Sam, following Elen’s flow, enjoying the fascinating monuments and honouring the many trees at Shugborough, it was time to say cheerio to her and Amber and for us to drive on to Checkley to visit the church there.
St. Mary’s has been described as one of the finest medieval churches in North Staffordshire. However, yet again – as with so many churches on this journey of mine – I couldn’t access the interior which meant I missed Elen’s connection with one of the most ancient fonts in Staffordshire, dating from the Saxon period. However, I was able to take a look at 3 ancient carved Saxon cross shafts or preaching crosses, as they are sometimes called, which stand at the church’s southern entrance. One in particular has rows of 3 human figures with what could possibly be halos around their heads. According to legend they commemorate 3 Christian bishops who lost their lives in a battle between Saxons and Danes at nearby Deadman’s Green.
So, after an incredibly interesting, full and fun day, it was back to the Race Course for dinner and a couple of hours r&r before the next day’s adventures.
New Forest Mandala
Continuing the theme of honouring the Trees with Mandalas…..this one was created in the New Forest with my lovely Soulsister, Paula, who, if you recall, walked with me on my very first steps along the Spine of Albion.
This particular area of the Forest is one we have been visiting for a while – and one that is well off the beaten track! Here we find ourselves hidden in plain sight from the very occasional hiker that might pass along a nearby path.
Our ‘spot’ has nourished and nurtured us throughout the challenges that we have faced over recent months and we have experienced all the seasons there, watching the blossoms bloom, the leaves green, the berries ripen, the crabapples swell and then the leaves and the cones falling silently on to the Forest floor. We have splodged through mud and the rain in our wet weather gear, we have sat on fallen boughs wrapped up warmly in blankets and we have welcomed the cool shade the Trees provide on hot days. We have seen and heard the stream gurgling and gushing and we have seen it run practically dry, we have seen ponds appear where there have been none before. We have seen the Canada Geese come and go and come back again. We have sat and watched the deer and ponies pass close by us and listened to the bird song and the cry of the buzzards.
So, it seemed only appropriate that we created a Mandala to provide an anchor for all the previous honourings and ceremonies we have done in this space for the trees and Mother Earth. We laid Nature’s treasures out under the branches of a Holly Tree and slowly the Circle took on a form and colour and energy all of its own.
In under 2 weeks, I will be back in Wilma, following Elen again to some of the places she visits along the Spine of Albion. I will be starting, very close to where I finished my last trip, at the Shugborough Estate and making my way up as far as the Cheshire/Staffordshire borders to Cloud Hill. This time I have made sure none of the carparks have height restriction barriers!!! Woohoo….nearly time to be back on the road….
A beautiful Mandala for the Trees
I’ve been a bit quiet on here, of late, as I’ve been taking a small break away from my Tree Pilgrimage to recharge my batteries. However, as trees are beings that are always so close to my heart and daily routines, I am never far away from honouring them in whatever way I can.
So, although not on the Spine of Albion, I honoured all trees by creating a Mandala, in ceremony, with a group of very dear friends last week. We drummed, we sang and we collected nature’s treasures in the shade of a wise and ancient tree.
Kridjo Galwo Arikaito – honouring, from the heart, all trees……..
So, over the next few days, I’m going to be gently heading back into the planning of my next stage along the Spine, which I, hopefully, will be journeying during the second week of August. Obviously everything will depend on whether I can get booked into campsites as I acknowledge this will be a busy holiday time.
Continuing on from Colwich, the last place I visited, my plan is to head into North Staffordshire and possibly into Cheshire, as far as The Cloud, as well. However, I will also be making a detour into Derbyshire for Weleda’s Centenary Festival in the middle of this stage of my travels. So wish me well for the next planning stage and fingers crossed for a free space somewhere on a campsite for me and Wilma!
Lichfield
Very loud rain through the night and a mizzley start to the day could not dampen my spirits when faced with this magnificence! Lichfield Cathedral, my first visit of the day, and to the only 3-spired medieval Cathedral in the U.K. I won’t bore you with all the photos I took – and I took a fair few to be honest – but, honestly at every turn there was one just shouting out to be taken.
Once inside I was keen to find the Nave Altar where Gary Biltcliffe and Caroline Hoare had dowsed Elen’s current – more so after my recent experience at St. Mary’s. Chatting to one of the Cathedral guides, she took me to the altar (well as close as we could get as it had been cordoned off) and was keen to point out that the carving was of an oak tree. Well, we both got very excited when I told her about my Tree Pilgrimage! Elen and an Oak Tree at the Altar – doesn’t get much better than that! Unfortunately, I was unable to get a clear picture as I was quite a distance away and the photo doesn’t do it any sort of justice.
There is a really interesting exhibition on in the Cathedral at the moment called “Fantastic Books And Where To Find Them”. The books have been chosen from the Cathedral’s library to ‘discover texts that have been influential in how we explore the world around us’.
Seeing as there were only 2 weeks left for the exhibition to run, I considered myself lucky to have ‘caught it’ and especially to have seen this rather wonderful text – The Saint Chad Gospels (an 8th century gospel book) containing some of the earliest known examples of written Welsh.
Walking from the Cathedral to the Market Square, gave me even more views of the mighty building (and photo opportunities!)….
And to another rather wonderful building, also on Elen’s path – this time St. Mary’s Church which is home to The Hub, a multi-use arts and heritage venue.
I rather liked Lichfield and it’s quirky and interesting places….will definitely have to go back one day to explore further.
Then it was back in Wilma and off to Colwich to St. Michael and All Angels Church. The Elen energy current flows through the church, but again, unfortunately, I was unable to access the interior. However, the grounds and the trees were delightful and more than made up for not being able to peep inside……..
So, after being entertained by a group of guys cycling by dressed as surgeons, paramedics and nurses (didn’t manage to get a shot of them unfortunately!!) on a charity ride, I decided it was time to head back to the campsite, have a bite to eat and a bit of a breather before driving home. Another stage enjoyed and completed.
Honouring the Trees along the Spine of Albion 