Dear Friends:

You know that you're in England when you turn on the news on the telly, and the first image that appears on the screen is of a herd of sheep galloping over a hill! Sheep are news here - really quite amusing, to say the least. (However it is kind of serious as the north is experiencing a new outbreak of foot and mouth disease - no problem for us though!)

Today, we're re-writing the itinerary a bit after several very full days of sight-seeing and singing (and since we're experiencing our first "wet" day, it's a nice respite). So, it also provides a chance to update a little on the events of the past couple of days.

Tuesday began with a road trip to Canterbury (about 45 minutes east) through beautiful countryside. Perhaps following in the steps of Chaucer's pilgrims, we made our way into the charming town along a river walkway, and into the cathedral precinct. It is an awesome space, and folks variously went on guided tours, or self-guided audio tours, or on their own, exploring the tombs, crypts, various chapels, the haunting site of Thomas Becket's murder, seeing the throne of the archbishop atop the highest point in the cathedral behind the high altar several hundred feet to the east of the main entrance, and many levels of stone steps higher. It was particularly moving to walk up the stone steps to the quire, and to the high altar - steps that are greatly worn from the millions of pilgrims who in earlier days climbed those same steps on their knees seeking healing from the remains of Thomas Becket.

We decided that in order to have a reasonable amount of time in Canterbury, we needed to forego Dover (much as we would have liked to see the white cliffs), but even with that change, there was so much more to see and learn. The ancient village with its circuit of winding streets full of quaint pubs and shops made this a spot that many of us would love to return to one day.

We arrived back in Rochester in time to freshen up before heading into town for rehearsal and for singing our second evensong. It really feels as though we are all getting comfortable with the rhythm of the service, and the flow of prayers, psalms, canticles and anthems. The music of Howells, Vaughan Williams and Brahms filled the space with glorious sound once again.

Wednesday was a completely free day in London, as we were not required to sing evensong that day. And we took full advantage of the opportunity! The coach took us to Greenwich (where time begins!) and many of our group disembarked there to visit the National Maritime Museum or the Royal Observatory, where we could stand on the prime meridian, or longitude 00 degrees 00' 00". Quite a lot of fun - and a great view of the eastern parts of London from the top! Others stayed on the coach in order to maximize their time in London - visiting museums, churches, and of course the famous shopping venues of Harrod's, Liberty, and others.

Those who stayed in Greenwich were able to take a boat cruise from Greenwich on the Thames, past the Tower of London, under the Tower Bridge, past the new Globe Theatre and many, many other familiar landmarks to end up at Westminster Pier next to the Houses of Parliament, where Big Ben was tolling the hour of two just as we docked - talk about timing! The coach met us there, where we embarked on a two-hour panoramic tour of the major sites in the city, led by a wonderful guide from London. Following that tour the coach deposited various groups in the vicinity of a couple of theatres - one near Victoria Station (where some folks attended a performance of "Fame") and one on the Strand (seeing "Chicago"). Others ventured off to meet relatives or friends in the area, and still others continued shopping and "museuming" and finding great pubs and restaurants to dine in before the evening events. The groups I was with was able to secure tickets (on the internet, no less) to the BBC Prom concert at the Royal Albert Hall for an absolutely phenomenal concert with the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Prom debut of Rochester native Renee Fleming singing the Mozart Exultate Jubilate and the Strauss Four Last Songs - glimpses of heaven, to be sure!

A tired but satisfied group returned to the hotel about 12:30am, and here we are enjoying a bit of rest before heading into town soon for rehearsal and evensong. The Canon Precentor (priest who sings the service with us) has invited us for wine following the service, so we will look forward to that time, and present him with greetings from our Pastor, and gifts from Rochester (NY) and Third Church!

Thanks for your continued prayers and good wishes! It has been so good to hear from many of you...and I look forward to sharing more in the next day or two.