May 9th: Norwich Cathedral

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In the afternoon we walked to Norwich Cathedral; we had passed it so many times but planned our visit to coincide with evensong. It is a beautiful Norman Cathedral, and has a labyrinth, cloisters, two memorials to Edith Cavell -a British nurse celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without discrimination, and executed for helping allied soldiers escape, a few green men lurking if you look carefully, and a font that was a chocolate vat in a former life. Really! It was a gift from the confectionary company, Rowntree Mackintosh, when they closed their Norwich factory in 1994. The Cathedral is also home to a pair of Peregrine falcons and their recent babies. The hawk and owl trust has a tent outside with information on the birds, and telescopes and live video for those that want to watch them. We walked the labyrinth while waiting for evensong to begin. As non believers we were hesitant to go into the chapel where evensong was being held, especially as the procession passed us by and the priest at the front welcomed others to join him … we felt as though we had some kind of distinguishing mark calling us out as non believers, but the kindly priest at the back of the procession gestured for us to walk behind him. So we did, and what a lovely thing to witness. It really is lovely hearing a choir in a Cathedral.

We walked home through the grounds of The Great Hospital, founded in 1249 and used as a nursing home today. It’s a beautiful building, with gorgeous flower beds. Apparently Norwich residents can apply to live in the (non nursing home) residential buildings. I wonder how long that waiting list is!

Dinner was pork pies with Stilton, washed down with ginger beer. I’m definitely returning home several sizes larger - even with all this walking up and down hills! This was not the diet plan I had in mind!

In the evening we walked to The Reindeer pub where Robert’s friend Tony and his band have a regular gig playing folk music and singing folk songs. Yes, we even waltzed.