You are quite right about the country being ungrateful for civil servants efforts, there are some awful comments flying around on the internet at the moment. I think that is partly because civil servants are deliberately misrepresented and misled by the press who also like to sensationalise everything. A lot of people quite sadly don’t know what civil servants do although everyone in some way uses their services.

I do like architecture but I especially like gardens. I will have to be patient for a few more weeks for those. It is even better if I can capture the two together.

I find the buildings fascinating too I always have to get the guidebook so I don’t miss any interesting features when I am there. Then read them cover to cover when I get home.

Following Sean’s thinking: Years ago, I wrote a French poem on the way France’s cathedrals had been built. Stone by stone, with sweaty, bleeding hands, bared, hardened feet, curved backs…Thousands, and thousands of people…Whole families camping on the steps… Surviving on a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and (if lucky) a chicken on Sunday. Slaves? Maybe… But they strongly, deeply believed in God. And audacious architects, courageous labourers were giving their time for the glory of God. For them, it was an honour to be part of the enterprise. Rightly or wrongly, in their mind, heart and soul, God deserved a beautiful temple.

Quite different from today’s civil servants who would have difficulty to worship the Government, and cannot be expected to work for less than they are worth to maintain a country mostly ungrateful for their efforts.

I am sure you would get some wonderful photos if you visited the Abbey.

The struggle continues and repeats itself over the ages.