this weekend was our first wedding anniversary (can't believe it is a year already!), and we went away to the Cotswolds for a couple of nights and had a lovely time. The Cotswolds are so charming with beautiful countryside, B&B's that let Frank (the dog) stay as well and quaint English towns. One of the highlights for me was an unexpected discovery of Hailes Abbey, a Cistercian Abbey that was established in approx 1240 and ran for about 300 years until is was dissolved and the building was ransacked for stone, glass, sculptures etc. What is left today is a mere outline of the building before.
With the entrance ticket comes an audio tour - I don't usually like these things but as it was free... It was very well done though, giving you space and time to wonder through the ruins and imagine the monks going about their daily routines. The audio tour drew you into the story to the extent when an older woman who was visiting, who was just behind us on the tour exclaimed to her husband "Eric the pastor at Stanway [a local village] has stolen the abbey's windows!" as if it was the current vicar who was liable for the crime!
There was something extremely peaceful about the ruins - so far from the hustle and bustle of daily life, with the fields surrounding you, you can see how monks would find it easier to seek God on this environment.
(pictures to follow hopefully)
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