Random thoughts and photos of my journey through life…
This Chapel has as its focus a replica of an extraordinary piece of art – the Stalingrad Madonna.
The curved figure of the Virgin Mary enfolds her baby in her hood, her eyes closed. The words around her translate as ‘1942 Christmas in the cauldron…Light, Life, Love’.
It was drawn at a time of terrible suffering, but the mother keeps her baby safe, a symbol of light, life and love.*
*Info from a signboard next to the chapel
4 Comments CherryPie on Jul 30th 2025
… and ready to go.
Recently our outside security light stopped working. We got it checked by an electrician who told us that the light fitting was broken and needed to be replaced. Locally you can have any colour light you like as long as it is black. Our Sunday mission was to go a little further afield to a countryside shop that we thought might stock a white outdoor light.
In the morning before setting off on our mission we visited mum who completely blanked me, turning away from me and pulling her hand away, so I gave her a quick hug and left. Sadly on this occasion she knew what she was doing.
This meant that we had lunch in Mere Park earlier than we had expected which was not a bad thing as the service is always rather slow. The food however is always delicious and on this occasion I chose poached salmon and pasta salad. Arriving early also meant more time for browsing the store. We ended up leaving with some new cushions for our outdoor chairs; our current ones are showing their age and the seat pads have become uncomfortable. I also couldn’t resist buying another colouring book as if I didn’t have enough already.
When we visited the outdoor countryside shop that I had in mind I realised that I had muddled it up with another shop. Mr C came to the conclusion that shop I had been thinking of was Charlie’s in Shrewsbury. Mr C was right and so was I with regards to the lights; they had several lights in white to choose from. We left with our purchase and arrived home just in time for pre dinner drinks with the elder Mr & Mrs C.
Later at home we enjoyed Normandy Pork which had been cooking to perfection in the slow cooker whilst we had been out on our adventures.
6 Comments CherryPie on Jul 28th 2025
I am not quite on target for arriving to coordinate with my actual walk to Stonehenge in August. Life and on occasion a lack of Mojo have got in the way.
I wonder if I can get myself back on track…
That being said I am still on track to complete my ‘Walk 1000 Miles’ by the end of the year.
6 Comments CherryPie on Jul 25th 2025
Filed under Faith Foundations, Heritage, Out & About
This intimate chapel sits beside the nave, close to its immense tapestry and the high altar, both of which are so often, by design, bathed in natural light. In contrast, the Chapel of Gethsemane is small with relatively little lighting. Its mosaic depicts the Angel of Agony by Steven Sykes which, on approach, is viewed through a wrought-iron crown of thorns, designed by Sir Basil Spence. Thus, beside the large, blazing glory of the tapestry and high altar, this quiet, small chapel serves as a reminder of suffering and a place of prayer and contemplation, away from the focal point of the Cathedral.
4 Comments CherryPie on Jul 22nd 2025
Filed under Faith Foundations, Heritage, Out & About
This chapel, also known as the Chapel of industry, connects us with the everyday world through clear glass.
Christians are not called to step out of the world but to be deeply involved, loving and serving others. Here we give thanks that we meet God in our daily life and work and ask for grace to know God there and make God known.*
*from a signboard at the entrance to the Chapel
2 Comments CherryPie on Jul 22nd 2025
The Charred Cross is made from two medieval roof beams which had fallen in the shape of a cross in the rubble after the bombing of the Cathedral in 1940.
Cathedral Groundsman Jock Forbes’ instinctive action was to set up this sign of Christ’s suffering amidst the destruction. the beams were bound together and placed the Sanctuary of the Ruins. the Charred Cross remained there until 1978 whin it was brought to this location for safekeeping.
The beams were originally held in place with medieval roof nails. The ‘Cross of Nails’, formed from three such nails, is the internationally-recognised symbol of our peace and reconciliation ministry. You can see the original ‘cross of nails’ in the centre of the High Altar Cross. *
*from a sign board next to the Charred Cross
4 Comments CherryPie on Jul 20th 2025
I managed to persuade the reluctant adventurer to join me for a walk. First we visited my mum, who once again wasn’t quite herself so we didn’t stay as long as we would have liked to. Next we went to Shrewsbury to purchase some Sherry from Majestic Wines which led us nicely into lunch in the Cote Kitchen at Churncote Farm Shop.
After lunch Mr C drove the scenic route to Newport where we parked in Water Lane carpark next to the start of our walk. The first part of the walk led us to a part of the canal that I had no idea existed. It was delightful and teaming with wildlife. I will definitely go back there again. The walk then lead us alongside fields, through fields, through a churchyard, country pathways and a long stretch of country road ending with some paddocks which involved navigating several styles before arriving back in Newport and the start of the walk.
Overall I enjoyed the walk, although after a while I found walking along the country lane a bit hard going.
My milage differed from the 4.75 miles mentioned on the walk page. By the time we had finished the walk my FitBit registered that I had walked around 6.5 miles. We did go a bit off track on one part of the walk (map reader failed to read instructions) leading us to retrace our steps but the small detour didn’t account for so much difference in mileage.
7 Comments CherryPie on Jul 20th 2025
