The Blessing of the Thames

Another of those quaint rituals that occur in London that draws on ancient customs although in reality has only been practised in current times for little over a decade.  The clergy from Southwark Cathedral on the south bank of the river Thames head northwards over London Bridge, to meet the clergy from St Magnus the Martyr who head south from their church on the northern banks of the river.

At the half way point (once they all meet on the same side of the Bridge)..

a short ceremony is held, the Bishop of London then tosses a wooden cross into the river....

and they then all head off for a nice cuppa.  

Help the Homeless

A banner going up on the fence of Southwark Cathedral advertising their annual event "sleep out".  On the 27th of November they are holding a sponsored sleep out in the grounds of the church to raise funds for robes for the winter night shelter. 

The Red Dress

A quiet street with a glimpse of Southwark Cathedral in the background.

Westminster Cathedral

Westminster Cathedral is the largest Catholic church in England and Wales.  Often overlooked by tourists who visit Westminster Abbey of the Church of England just up the road.

A Day Trip to York

Continuing with our wee break from the Olympics to do a bit of local sightseeing, today I'm taking you on a trip out of London. We're going to York. Catch a train from Kings Cross station and within two and a half hours you will be in the ancient and beautiful city of York.

York's history began with the Romans who arrived in 71AD and formed the city of Eboracum. The city was very desirable even back then, as testified by the various invasions over the following centuries. The Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings and the Normans, each of the invaders bringing their own traditions and cultures, making York the unique city it is today.

The city is dominated by the Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. Built between 1291 and 1350 it replaced the original Norman Cathedral that burnt down. The Archbishop of York holds the second highest position in the Church f England (since the time of Henry VIII when C of E was established the order has always been the ruling Monarch, Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop of York).


There are simply loads of important people buried here, plus there is a resident ghost, supposedly an organist who fell to his death while cleaning the organ valves.

Eating and shopping are always high on my list wherever I visit. Last year York was voted the 5th best place in Europe for gourmet food and wine - a foodies paradise. As for shopping, these are the kind of stores you get lost in for hours. I loved the street called "the Shambles". Back in medieval times it was a street of butcher shops. The narrowness of the street and the medieval houses that get larger as they get higher (in a bid to avoid 'ground' taxes) meant that these streets were rather shady and thus popular with the butchers. Imagine though all those carcasses hanging in the outdoors. Yes, flies and rats come to mind. Stay with that image. The locals of the time did. Hence why when they saw anything unpleasant they'd say "yuk, its a shambles".

You can always rely on me to find you a gem that is not in the brochure. Eight hundred years ago York elected their first Lord Mayor. So it's party time now to commemorate. One of the celebrations is the festival of the rivers which was to take place in July, however due to the unusually wet weather this festival was postponed. But as we now have a good summer again the festival will now take place on 26 August. I've already given you enough good reasons to go. Now is the perfect time.

If you need any help with your stay in York just go to the national trust Visit England site.