Bath and Bradford on Avon

Yesterday I sojourned to Trowbridge to fill up my phone data (no shop in frome!) ... and once there the young salesman suggested I get on a train and go one stop to Bradford on Avon. I did as I was instructed and thoroughly enjoyed my time there visiting the medievil "Thithe Barn" and then the Saxon Church (St. Lawrence) on the hill. Both date back 7 - 800 years to the 12th and 13th centuries.

I then visited the "Shambles" where I did some browsing and buying of a few wee things...as I got off the train, it was raining quite heavily and I had no clue where I was going so stopped at what I thought was a bus stop and asked the elders there where I oughtn't to miss visiting here in Bradford on Avon.

They both said in unison, "the Tithing Barn" a medievil barn, and then on to the Saxon Church on the hill (past St Margaret's car park and over the bridge) people are amazing even when you tell them you have no idea where you are, they still insist on saying stuff like "you know where such and such is?" ...haha!!! I just smile and tell them again I have no idea where I am or where I'm going. I think they all think I'm a bit mad! Perhaps I am, but just moving as the spirit takes me.

After the "Tithing Barn" I couldn't make head nor tail of the instructions the elders had given me. They weren;t waiting for a bus either. it turned out this was a waiting place between the doctors surgery and the pharmacy and the queue at the pharmacy was out the door and round the corner!! I felt sorry for them. As I wandered along the path by the river I stopped a couple of school girls (teens) and asked them if they knew the way to the Saxon Church, bless them, they walked me to the pathway and sent me on my way.

About two minutes later they came back to me and suggested they take me all the way there. I was concerned and told them I could find my way from there, but they insisted. And just as well they did as the way was quite convoluted. They finally let me go just at the bottom of the hill.

I sat awhile in the kirk contemplating the people who initially built the church and then the people who have helped restore it. Why do we keep holding on to past glories? What drives us to seek restoration, to hold onto that which was?

It was quite late by the time I got home, but very pleased with my finds today.Read more