Durham and Lindisfarne

This Saturday we took an excursion to Durham and Lindisfarne. I have to admit I was not looking forward to it. It was a four-hour coach ride both ways where I wouldn't be able to sleep or read. As it turns out, this has been my favorite day of the semester so far.

We first went to Durham cathedral, which was not as big as the Minster, but was older. Our tour guide was incredibly informative. She told us that she actually gave tours to Sting and to Princess Anne! Saint Cuthbert (who was bishop at Lindisfarne) and the Venerable Bede were both buried at Durham. The cathedral was really interesting architecturally. They began construction in the late 11th century, so the style was very Romanesque—semi-circular arches and all that. They reached the opposite wall in the mid 12th century, where there are pointed arches (which apparently is more Gothic style). This was the first cathedral to have pointed arches and the first cathedral to have a stone ceiling, a feat made possible by a lattice-work of stone that supports the roof. A group of architects voted this cathedral as the most beautiful building in the world, with the Taj Mahal coming in second. I think that's probably not true, but I did think it was more beautiful than the inside of the Minster. Also, the courtyard was a Harry Potter film site!!! One down, three hundred to go!

Next, we went to Lindisfarne. We first went to the priory ruins, which were beautiful. Unfortunately, my camera decided that it had had enough of my batteries and started flashing an angry red light at me. Oh well, if only there were twenty-six other people taking the exact same pictures as me… Our final stop was the Lindisfarne Castle, which, if the weather had been crummy, would probably have been miserable. As it was, the light was dramatic and it was slightly misty and beautiful. The seaside made me a little homesick for Lake Michigan, but at least now I can say I've seen the North Sea! Well, I took some lovely pictures of sheep with a little landscape in the background. Little did I know that only a few kilometers south-ish, Julia was visiting an abbey and a cathedral as well! If I had known that, I would have sent her a smoke signal.

Tonight and tomorrow I have quarantined myself in my room. I walked into town with Kaitlin today because we wanted to go to the market where a crepe stand is open on the weekends. However, when I got back to my flat, I had another coughing fit. I figured I should limit my walking until Tuesday when I have to go to class. I have a feeling, though, that I will be tempted to go out tomorrow since so many people do not have Monday classes.

On a more exciting note, Mike and I are planning our Spring Break trip to Paris and Florence with the EXTENSIVE help of my dad. (Thankyouthankyouthankyou!) Things seem to be coming together swimmingly so hopefully everything will at least be planned out by week's end. (And yes, I am trying to introduce some British vernacular to my repertoire). Cheers!