Easter in Ham

A cold, clear Easter day as the congregation entered for the worship service.

Many more people than this would arrive before the service started.  The church was all but full, including the balcony.

Ringing changes on the set of four bells in the tower; views of the sanctuary from the balcony.

Greeting the vicar after the service.

The vicar.

Leaving the church.

There's a very small cross atop the sanctuary, the oldest part of the church.  I saw the same small crosses on ancient churches in Ireland.

The church and churchyard on a beautiful Easter day.

Relaxing at home after an excellent Easter meal.

A nice day, and perhaps a day with nothing scheduled tomorrow.

Salisbury Cathedral

Today we all went down to Salisbury, where Ros is part of the team of flower arrangers in the cathedral.  Many people were at work on flowers, as this is the Saturday before Easter.

I took a few photos inside the cathedral before being informed in no uncertain terms by a very officious gentleman that no photos were allowed, as this was "just about the holiest day in Christianity."  Good Friday or Easter I could understand, but the Saturday between them?  At any rate, I stopped taking photos inside and I have none of Ros at work or of the finished floral creations.  Too bad, because they were lovely.

One of the transepts (first photo),  and two of the flower arrangers beginning work.

The stonework at left is the pulpit, while behind it is part of the choir.  The stained glass is indeed as vibrant as this, but since I've lightened the rest of the image a bit, the colors on the stone arches aren't as obvious as this to the naked eye. 

Outside, the day was completely overcast, so the sky just disappears.  The view on the right could not be taken much later in the year, as the cathedral would be hidden behind leaves.

Looking through the High Street Gate toward the cathedral.  Tony and I walked out into the town to find a coffee shop while Ros worked on the flowers.

When we walked back to the cathedral, the sun had come out.  These photos have nice blue skies and white clouds, and there's more color in the cathedral itself.

 

I particularly like this shot.  It was taken with my longest telephoto lens, hand held, and it captured a very surprising amount of detail.  In the full-size image even the points on the ends of the lightening rods attached to the arms of the cross can be seen.  I've darkened the sky a bit, and I expect that I'll print this once I return home.

f/13, 1/640 sec, ISO 400, 220 mm focal length

A crucifix on top of a tall pedestal, with a little roof over top, and a medieval downspout.

I like this one, with the large birds wheeling over the tree.  Again, a shot that wouldn't work once the trees leaf out.

A final shot, with blue sky and clouds.  I think Salisbury Cathedral is the most beautiful cathedral in England.  Constable seemed to think so, too.

On the way out of town, we stopped at Old Sarum to let Daisy Mae run about a bit before the long drive home.  Salisbury Cathedral seen from Old Sarum, through the haze.

Daisy Mae seemed to enjoy her run.  Here she and Tony are on the ramparts surrounding Old Sarum.

These are the ramparts surrounding the inner part of Old Sarum, where the castle was.

Back to Ham, to prepare for Easter.  A nice, if strenuous, day out.

A Good Friday Walk of Witness

Each year on Good Friday the churches in Ham and Shalbourne have a joint "Walk of Witness" to commemorate Jesus' walk carrying the cross.  It seems that the road distance between the Ham and Shalbourne churches is approximately the distance that Jesus had to walk.  This year the walk started at Ham church with the beginning of a church service, including a hymn and the first of several readings about the day of the crucifixion from Luke's gospel.  Then the vicar and congregation began a walk to Shalbourne church, stopping at several locations along the way for additional readings.

It was cold but sunny, and didn't feel as cold as it probably was.  Everyone was bundled up, and several people brought their dogs along,

Entering All Saints Church in Ham before the service.

After the first part of the service, beginning the walk to Shalbourne.

We stopped for the second reading (the first was in the church) at Ham's village green.  I was asked to do the reading here, the part in which Peter denies Jesus three times.

We stopped along the road for the next reading.

Walking along the road to the next reading site.

The next reading.  It looks cold in these photos, but it didn't really feel that cold.

Continuing down the road.  From the start of the service in Ham church to the arrival at Shalbourne church took an hour.

Ros was asked to do the next reading.

Glorious scenery for a walk such as this.

Onward to the next reading, the last along the walk.  The final reading will be in Shalbourne church.

Ready for the last part of the walk.

We make the turn off the main road into the road to the St Michael and All Angels Church.  The "Next Service" on the board is this one.

Entering the church.

Note the water bowl for the dogs just outside the door,

Inside, the service continued.  We heard the last of the readings from Luke, and read the Litany and sang two more hymns, and of course said prayers.  I took no photos during the service; these were taken as people were leaving afterward.

Hot cross buns, tea, and coffee hit the spot on a cold day.

As we left, I took a few more photos around the church yard.

A moving service for Good Friday.