Wednesday 17 June 09

Today's a day of two sites - Coventry Cathedral in Coventry, and Lincoln College Oxford.

Breakfast was, of course, brilliant, and all are having a great time signing up for the next day's meal just after finishing that day's. Still, we did finish a bit late, and had kept seeing a Johnsons coach circling the block - probably ours, waiting for the correct pickup time. Once we had grabbed our bagged lunches, we found out that we were correct - it was Sam in the coach (today's driver brought to you again by the letter "S") and off we went.

The sky was threatening, but we ignored it and went right outside into the ruins when Sam dropped us off right in front (one benefit of a smaller group, and thus a smaller coach - they can get into places the big busses can't).

Charlie gave a brief intro to the cathedral, then found our tour guide - Barbara Smith, a WWII bombing survivor herself. Ms. Smith led us on a spectacular tour of one of the most moving sites we'll see all trip. The idea of asking God to forgive the people who bombed your church right as the cleanup is under weigh is quite astounding, and all the travellers seemed quite affected.

Directly adjoining the ruins of the old cathedral is the new cathedral, which opened in 1962. The amazing artwork and design of each and every detail were breathtaking. Jon noted that he'd seen lots of stained glass windows in his day, but the baptismal window was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
The back window of the sanctuary is sort of a knock-off of the windows in our sanctuary, having angels and saints etched into the glass, but no colours there - extremely cool.


We learned more about this place in the hour or so that Barbara took us around than we have in the previous three trips combined. Just brilliant.

You all need to ask us about it, because there will have been very little forgotten, I'm sure.

Next up was a trip to Oxford to see Lincoln College - the college where Charles Wesley was a student and big brother John was a fellow (that's a teacher / tutor), and where Charles started the Holy Club, and John took it over upon joining it.

The steward of the college, Dr. Andrew Beaumont, or "Beau" took us on a rollicking tour of the college, even sharing some of the deepest, darkest secrets and traditions involving red hot coins, poisoned beer, and lingerie departments. You can ask, but we'd have to kill you. Oh, a polar bear paw played a part in the history of the college, but no one seemed to know why.

He showed us the college chapel, and let us have some devotional time in that space (the John Wesley Memorial Chapel) where we read from John's journal and talked about the relationship between the activities of the Holy Club and our very own Workcampers; we're really just carrying on a long, Methodist tradition.

Next, Beau took us to the rooms where John lived and taught - which are still in use today, and even contain a portion of Wesley's library, where he regaled us with various other tales, and even tried to interest some of the travellers in applying for admission to Lincoln College to play on the various sports teams.

After a bit of shopping for souvenirs, a quick trip past Christ Church (where Jeff discovered an office chair in the middle of the path - he always seems to find chairs, that Jeff), we met up with Sam and off we went for a quick trip back to Stratford.

In fact, we were even home early enough to hit the internet café and post a couple updates.
Today will have to wait for tomorrow, I'm afraid - it's time to head out for dinner and a play. We're hoping the fish and chips will be As You Like It (get it? that was kind of like a joke).

Cheers.