I spent the whole morning in and around Durham cathedral, letting my feet follow beauty and worship, climbing the 325 steps up to the tower, attending holy communion, praying and reading in the Memorial Garden, agreeing with Father Nils (one of the vicars) that it is high time to make a new knot of the historical bounds between Durham and Nidaros.
A cathedral is a sanctuary for worship and silence and it is a majestetic display of beauty created by men to praise God.
I stayed in Cathedral View Town House, and in the afternoon I sat out in the garden reading Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth, his amazing book about the building of a cathedral 900 years ago.
I have been living close to a cathedral all my life, the Nidaros Cathedral, I had my confirmation there, I was married there and now I work in the neighbour building, the Archbishop's Palace. I attend masses and concerts in the cathedral, I do there for silence and prayers and from time to time I serve during holy communion as a deacon. Over the years I have become more and more amazed of the amazing beauty created by men through the centuries. I read Follett's book a few years ago, and knew that this was the book I wanted to pack for my Durham days.
Cathedral View Town House was a lovely place to stay, not only because of the view of the cathedral, but also because of the cosy rooms, the charming breakfast room, the vivid hostess and the lovely garden. Not to forget the breakfast. I fell in love with the apricots poarched in orange juice, I was told it was a Jamie Oliver recipe, and after finishing writing this booktalk I plan to send an e-mail to the hostess to ask her for instructions to make my own.
Then I need to plan which book to start. I finished Pillars of the Earth last night. Any suggestions?
Follow the links and you will be taken on a tour around the Nidaros Cathedral.