Tuesday, 8 August - Steve Mark reporting from Canterbury

After a rainy Monday we awoke to clearing skies more refreshed, less jet lagged and still exhilarated by Monday's Evensong service. A "hearty breakfast" is an understatement over here, particularly if one indulges in the Cooked English Breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, Black Pudding, mushrooms, baked beans, baked tomato with coffee or tea, juice and toast certainly start the day off on the right foot! At about 9:30 AM thirty-nine St. Peter's pilgrims set off for the thirty-five minute ride to Dover Castle in our private motor coach. We spent several ours touring the Castle keep and grounds and, finally, a tour of the secret wartime underground tunnels. The tunnels were started in the 18th century during the Napoleonic Wars; served as barracks during WW II; and include an underground hospital and command centre where much of the planning of 'Operation Overlord' (The Normandy Invasion) took place. Fascinating! The weather cooperated fully and we actually had clear, sunny skies much of the day.

We returned to Canterbury in time for shopping, quiet time and relaxation before we walked to the Cathedral for the second Evensong service. We hadn't thought it possible that our choir could sound better than they had the first evening, but they did. As spoiled as we are by the acoustics at St. Peter's the sound in Canterbury is far better and more heavenly and enchanting than I can describe. One woman in the congregation, who was visiting from Wales, approached us to see if the choir was making a tour of England in hopes that they would be singing in her home church. Bruce's organ voluntary at the end of the service absolutely 'rocked.'

After the service we made our way back to the Chaucer Hotel for cocktails and dinner together where old and new friendships were deepened. Plans for Wednesday were on everyone's mind since it was to be a free day. Many were planning a trip to Paris or London while others would be relaxing, touring or hiking closer to home. We wish all of you at St. Peter's could be here with us. Life is good.