Day #2 Much Wenlock, England
Up at 6:00am well rested. I walked about town for a bit, not a store open or a soul in sight. It feels as if I’m the only one in town. Except for the 1000s of quiet folks who have walked here over the past 1000 years…they were very evident (in my thoughts).
Trinity Church c1100 a block from the Raven at 6:45 am. A retired couple last night from the Raven mentioned during dinner that the church had plaques dedicated to Charles Mines Gaskell, Henry Adams friend.
Unfortuntley at 6:30 am the church was locked up but the graves weren’t. I was able to find the Gaskell Plot (below).
Breakfast at 9:00 am. I had the English Breakfast which included poached eggs, bacon, sausage, sauteed mushrooms, black pudding and five pieces of toast.
Tasty! Even the Black pudding, which I don’t recommend making a steady diet of as its cuisine in the form of gelatinized pigs blood, once cooked the fat in the blood coagulates and forms a fat plug. Look closely at the black mass next to the tomato. See the fat plug?
Enough! Delightful, this is historical fare and as I’m on the trail of history it needs to be researchedbut for the future I will focus on other historical areas besides coagulated food.
After breakfast I walked back to Trinity Church to get a photo of the Gaskell Plaques. A service was in session so I quietly tip-toed in and took a back pew seat. The service was one of reverence & history. Here in the pews built c1600s I sat looking at town folk who had worshiped here there whole lives, and most likely many generations of the same families. The age range: in their 70s & 80s. Some were younger but not many. The final song of the service of the Queen. Very nice.
After the service was over I noticed that glasses of wine (white & red) plus canapes were being set up in the back near the door. Trying to exit and make my way back later, thinking this was a special service, the Vicar caught me as I was leaving and asked me to stay.
I do like red wine but never saw it offered in church on the secular side of the altar and with canapes! He (the Vicar) explained the all the wine & canapes were for honoring the newly elected officials of the town. This was an event that happened every two years. Probably best as if this was a weekly thing the attendence would most likely be standing room only. I’m happy I stayed too as I met a very nice lady who knew tons of Gaskell history and was able to help me gather some insights. Unfortunately she never heard of Henry Adams but she was sharp on local history and all things England.
After the service I spent 3 hours at the abbey and then back to Raven for relaxtion and peace and a good book.
