Tuesday 20 December 2011

Home for Christmas.

Back home again after a wonderful time in the UK, although not all went to plan.
There was a bit of a hiccup when the Senior Partner needed to pay an emergency visit to the dentist because of a wobbly crown and a couple of things slipped off the agenda, but we thoroughly enjoyed everything else.
The ferry crossing on Thursday wasn't as bad as we had expected and we made it to our hotel without mishap.
On Saturday morning there was some snow on the ground but it didn't impede our onward journey to Hereford Cathedral for the Advent Market and Carols for Shoppers at midday.

Hereford Cathedral

We estimated that there were over a thousand souls gathered together inside this magnificent place of worship.
The Very Reverend Michael Tavinor, Dean of Hereford made us all welcome and informed us that in the ten years of Carols for Shoppers services this was the biggest congregation yet.

Life size wire mesh sculptures of the
Three Wise Men
part of a Nativity scene inside Hereford Cathedral
So many in fact that the overflow from the nave had filled the side aisles and the transept too!


The Hereford Church Singers opened the festivities by singing "Ding Dong Merrily On High" which was swiftly followed by the Congregational Carol "Once In Royal David's City".


We also sang "O Little Town Of Bethelem"; "Whilst Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night"; "O Come All Ye Faithfull"; "It Came Upon The Midnight Clear" and concluded with "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".
The  Hereford Church Singers and the Herefordshire Junior Singing Club also sang several lesser known Carols which were interspersed by Bible Readings recounting the story of Jesus' birth.


After the Carol Service we headed to Ledbury to the apartment that we had rented for two nights.

Here's where I digress a little, bear with me please!
I announced in this blog post in early January that my word for 2011 was "de-clutter" and that is why all of this

found it's way to here.


The St Michael's Hospice Charity Shop, conveniently located two floors beneath the apartment in Ledbury's Homend, I'd call that serendipity!

The comfortable apartment living room,
 complete with
a very pretty Christmas tree and a
challenging thought!
As there was no wifi available at the apartment I was unable to visit all my favourite blogs but just as soon as everything is back to normal around here, hopefully tomorrow at the latest, I'll be calling round to catch up with everyone during the final run up to Christmas Eve.
ho ho ho!!!

16 comments:

  1. Welcome back, Maggie. I'm glad that the Senior Partner was able to have his crown looked at - that's when you're glad you're in the UK and not somewhere in sub-Sahara!
    Your little holiday sounds a treat - I'd love to have heard the carols.

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  2. I imaginbe that the service was very moving, glad your mini break mainly went well. Have a good Christmas and I look forward to following you in 2012.

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  3. Glad you are safely back home for Christmas week. I trust all is well with the tooth now. ;-)
    The event in Hereford Cathedral sounds marvelous. What an experience. Take care and enjoy the season. ~ Sarah

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  4. Welcome back! The cathedral shots are beautiful. I love de-cluttering.

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  5. So glad to hear you are safely home, Maggie. I can't imagine the grandeur of attending a Carol Service in such magnificence where history collides with the present at every turn.

    I hope the Senior Partner's tooth won't give any more trouble.

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  6. Welcome back Maggie. Don't you just love Christmas services in churches or chapels and sing all the Christmas carols we all love.
    I can see you had a good time.
    Have a wonderful week .

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  7. Sounds like you had a good time and the photographs brought home the real atmosphere of christmas. Just a few more days now - just finished sewing apron and have decided to make another. Mince pies still to make, but perhaps I will make them on Christmas Eve and have a glass of mulled wine with them.
    Happy Days!

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  8. Hi Maggie...

    Ohhh..what a fabulous time you must have had, my friend! Spending a Christmas service in that lovely old cathedral must be simply glorious! I can just imagine the beautiful music! Thank you for sharing your beautiful trip and awesome photos with us, dear lady!

    Warmest wishes to you and your family for a wonderfully sweet and blessed Christmas!

    Chari @Happy To Design

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  9. That sounds like a wonderful service. I can just imagine the sound -- a Christmas service in England sounds magical!

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  10. What a wonderful Christmas trip. I would have loved to sing the Christmas songs in the cathedral with the carolers. Special blessings to hear the angels sing. Hope the Senior Partner is doing well with his crowns secured. Merry Christmas, Maggie. xoxo Jenny and Enno

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  11. my blogger showed that as 'a wonky crow' which would certainly cause anyone trouble

    but it sounds like a lovely trip and full of festive goodness...

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  12. Hearing the beautiful Christmas carols in such a magnificent cathedral must have been spine tingling. Christmas music is so lovely and a favourite part of our Christmas celebrations. Merry Christmas to you both!

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  13. Merry Christmas, Maggie. Glad that you have a nice get away. Too bad about the Mr.'s tooth. I look forward to another year reading your blog.

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  14. Welcome home my friend.

    I can't even imagine the grandeur of that breathtakingly beautiful cathedral. Your photos are stunnin' sweetie.

    God bless, rest up and have a blessed, bright and beautiful Christmas with those you hold dear!!! :o)

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  15. Maggie- can I just say that I am so envious of this beautiful trip you have just made. What a beautiful cathedral-- and to be there at Christmas must have been so special. As always- your photos seem to capture the magic. Lucky you--

    About your word " de-clutter" --- I need to say that out loud at my house too!!
    Vicki

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  16. How great to be able to pop back to the old country for some worship and shopping. Glad you had a great time.

    As for the tooth, probably better that it happened in the UK if it had to happen at all.

    Wishing you a wonderful Christmas in Normandy. I can only wonder at how delightful it must be for you there.

    Carolyn xx

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Thanks for stopping by, your visit just made my day!