I know that travel photos are supposed to appear on Monday, according to the rota, but since today is Sunday, I thought these would be appropriate.  I have a thing for churches.  I don't know if it's a past life memory or what, but I seem to be drawn to them, especially in England.  It doesn't matter if it's a grand cathedral or a simple village parish church - they all seem to fascinate me.  My traveling companions good naturedly put up with my burning desire to explore every church I see  and wait patiently while I suss out the lights and shadows, mysteries and realities (think churchyard - where we will all arrive one day).  These are a few of my favorite photos, taken on my last trip to England in 2006. 

Salisbury Cathedral has the tallest spire in England.  It is a truly awe inspiring (pun intended) sight as you come up over the rise and see it dominating the horizon.  I arrived just in time for Evensong which was, of course, heavenly.

 The light streaming in through the old tracery windows fascinates me.  It is so amospheric and you can see the dust motes dancing in the soft rays of the sun. 

If you listen carefully, you can hear echoes of the past whispering in the shadows.

 The churchyard beckons through an open door...

One is reminded how much the English love their dogs. They take them everywhere - in restaurants, in shops and, yes, in churchyards.

 A sleepy churchyard on a bright summer day.  When the sun shines in England, it is truly glorious.

 From the English Burial Service. Adapted from the Biblical text, Genesis 3:19

"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

But there is always comfort to be found, sitting with the sun on your face on an old wooden bench...

Psalm 121

1  I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

I suppose it's not politically correct, but as Tiny Tim would say, "God bless us, one and all!"