Chichester
Visited Thu 1 Jun
My visit coincided with biennial Flower Festival - cathedral packed solid with flowers and people! Photo of bike shows happy visitors, though a bit bemused at mad biker purposefully parking in front of board and getting camera out! Formerly "my" cathedral when Rector of Newhaven 1991-98, though I didn't often go there. Stayed for Evensong in adjoining building, where I bumped into a bevy of rural deans, including my two former ones and a very old friend, now archdeacon. None of them knew I rode a bike, yet two of the three recognised me. Impressive. (The third responded when I said his name!) A family of peregrines nesting in the tower, noisily feeding their young as I left.
Alfriston Parish Church - "The Cathedral of the Downs"
Visited on the way to Arundel & Chichester at request of one of my Newhaven sponsors. In my former deanery so I didn't need a map! Next door is Alfriston Clergy House, very first acquisition of the National Trust. Lovely setting but overrun by tourists. Including me. Gift stall inside church even had a bookmark (though not leather, I confess) and postcard.
