I think summer must have arrived at last – a really lovely sunny day today which is just what Sara and I wanted as we decided to make today a “day-off” – or at least most of it. After seeing the children off to school and having prepared a small packed lunch we set off to drive the forty or so miles through the Wiltshire and Dorset countryside to Sherborne – a town I have driven past on my way to and from Exeter but never stopped off and looked around. Sherborne has the only English cathedral which has been demoted to a parish church – rather than the other way round. Back in Saxon times it was the seat of the Bishop of West Wessex which included the current dioceses of Salisbury, Exeter, Truro and I believe Bath and Wells. These new diocese were created in Norman times and Sherborne was incorporated into Salisbury Diocese and the cathedral converted into an Abbey. The Abbey Church was saved during the Reformation, after the dissolution of the Abbey by being purchased by the townsfolk for their parish church – which is its status today. A wonderful piece of architecture, and truly a church of cathedral proportions. Sara and I enjoyed looking around it and the town which I can only describe as a life-sized model village – beautiful buildings and interesting shops in the High Street. It would certainly be a good place to bring David and Andrea if we have time when they come over from the States. Back home, I confess to having a little snooze before preparing for house group this evening. Only four of us tonight – there was an LPA meeting which kept away one, Sara was busy with Mary’s homework and Jane has only just got back from Australia. James, who is usually very regular in attendance, has his parents coming over tomorrow and had things to do in preparation. We had a fairly low-key discussion tonight which suited me well as I was quite tired. All in all, a lovely day with lovely weather.
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