Let there be Love
Our friends Pete and Charm are going to the chapel in Cornwall and we’re invited so what better reason to celebrate their marriage by staying a while in jolly, old England. We’re here for a month with a 10-day interlude in Mallorca. We start in Winchester, a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England.
Winchester's famous landmark is Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, with the distinction of having the longest nave and overall length of all Gothic cathedrals in Europe.
The west window was destroyed by parliamentary forces during the Civil War and reconstructed as a mosaic in 1960 from fragments found.
Jane Austen is buried here. Just as her novels were published anonymously, the inscription on her tomb (above) makes no mention of her literary talents.
The crypt, which frequently floods (still drying out here), houses a contemplative statue by Antony Gormley.
Rare stained glass windows made in William Morris style.
Winchester Castle is a medieval building founded in 1067. Only the Great Hall still stands. An imitation Arthurian Round Table hangs here. Originally constructed in the 13th century, and repainted in its present form for Henry VIII. Around the edge of the table are the names of King Arthur's knights. We thought it was cool so we bought a replica placemat and coasters in the gift shop.
The incredible gates look like armour.
A statue of Queen Victoria reigns in The Great Hall.
One of the most easily recognizable landmarks in Winchester is the striking statue of King Alfred the Great.
We make our way through The New Forest, a mysterious, beautiful woodland area of southern England where wild ponies roam free among thatched cottages.
It’s OK, he’s obeying the speed limit.
Milton Abbey School.
The Cerne Abbas Giant is a chalk drawing of a naked man wielding a club on a hillside in Cerne Abbas, a village in Dorset. It is the most-visited site in the entire country. No one knows when the Giant first appeared on the hillside. His presence was first recorded in 1694. Both the identity and date of the Giant remain a mystery, with theories ranging from a prehistoric fertility god to a 17th century parody of Oliver Cromwell.
We stop for cream tea in Lyme Regis.
Onto the reason we’re here: the wedding. We’re ready to head to the church with Tessa and Charlie (Tim’s twin sister and brother-in-law) and Di (who’s taking this photo).
The wedding takes place at St. Michael's Church in Porthilly, Rock. St. Michael’s dates to the 12th century.
The blushing bride and groom, Charm and Pete.
After the wedding a lobster lunch is served.
In the evening we gather and celebrate and feast again, this time on traditional English fare.
After all the indulging we need some exercise so Tim goes golfing while Sandi goes for a long walk with a big group of wedding guests.
The end of our walking and golfing rewards us with a tour of Prideaux Place, a stunningly beautiful Elizabethan manor house overlooking the picturesque fishing harbour of Padstow in North Cornwall.
Time for a black tie dinner and dance with the newlyweds.
Thank you Charm and Pete. What a party! What a great couple! Love Forever!
