Canterbury Tales

Spent yesterday having a lovely lunch in the English countryside at the beautiful house and garden of Peter & Jane Lumley. Then it was back to Fulham for an early night and a little planning for the week ahead. This morning, got the very fast train (140km/hr) to Canterbury to explore the Kent area. Canterbury was a real surprise. I am staying in a pub, in the village which was originally built by the Romans, a stone wall encircles its medieval centre with cobbled streets and timber-framed houses. The big ticket item of course is the Canterbury Cathedral, founded 597 A.D which is the headquarters of the Church of England and Anglican Communion, incorporating Gothic and Romanesque elements in its stone carvings and stained-glass windows. It would be an understatement to say this thing is huge. I spent at least 3 hours wandering around this gigantic cathedral, so it's terrific value for £15.50. Whilst there I visited the Buffs chapel (or Warriors chapel) which is the old regiment chapel of the East Kent Regiment - 3rd & 1st which happens to be Simon Lalors' old regiment, which was also the place he nearly lost the regiment flag....But that's another story. Caught up with Geoffrey Chaucer in the main street, which bought up some bad memories of having to read "Canterbury Tales" as an english textbook at school in the 70's. So far I am really enjoying this park of the UK.