Dear Friends:

As we move into our "marathon" weekend, it is hard to believe that our week in Rochester is drawing to a close. I say marathon because between now (Saturday morning) and when we leave for Stratford (Sunday afternoon) we will sing four different services (including two evensongs, one mattins and one Holy Eucharist), PLUS a full concert this evening in a small parish church in a town about 30 minutes from here. It has been a rich week of worship - with music-making an integral and extraordinary part of it - of fellowship with each other and with our British hosts, and of seeing and absorbing as much as we can of the wonderful history and beauty of the area.

On Thursday afternoon, after evensong, the Canon Precentor of the cathedral hosted a delightful time of refreshments for us in the crypt (which as it turns out is NOT a burial place, necessarily, but just designates the space directly under the church!) He is a warm and engaging person, and in the course of conversation we discovered that he will be on sabbatical in the States next spring, so we sincerely hope that we will be able to welcome he and his wife to our Rochester sometime between April and July!

Friday morning was spent visiting two more historic sites in Kent...the incomparable Leeds Castle, which is probably the most picturesque of all English castles, set off on an island in the middle of a lake. It also was at one time a royal residence, favored by Henry VIII and others, but eventually went into private hands, most recently to Olive, Lady Baillie (an American), whose family owned it from 1926 until her death in 1974, when it was given to the British government, and opened to the public. Spectatular gardens, gorgeous furnishings, and incredible views from the castle windows (not to mention the uncommonly beautiful weather!) made this a very special place.

From there we journeyed to Chartwell - the home of Winston Churchill from the 1920s until his death in 1965. Dating from the 1500s, this estate is set on a hillside looking over sumptuous gardens and a lovely countryside. It was fascinating to see where this great leader wrote, studied, painted, and came for refuge.

Returning to Rochester just in time for our rehearsal before evensong, we sang our fourth service, with music by Andrew Carter, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and a setting of the Prayer of St. Francis by Canadian Barrie Cabena.

We may not be able to correspond again until we reach Stratford, given the rather full schedule of singing over the next 30 hours....but know that you are in our thoughts, and we continue to feel your support and care across the ocean. (Just to let you know, too, that the recent car bombing in London has not affected us at all, and not to worry!)

Until next time...