June 21, 2019

A Field on the East Coast of England, England

Hi!As I type I’m zooming up the east side of the UK. This train line is like a speedy tour of some of the country’s most stunning chapels and cathedrals. We’ve already passed Cambridge, (though admittedly couldn’t see the town itself) Peterborough Cathedral has just poked it’s spires above the rooftops of the city, and soon Lincoln will proudly stand towering above the houses below. Later on the train will offer a breathtaking 180 degree view of Durham Cathedral at the top of a valley overlooking the river Wear.I won’t get to enjoy that stunning vista though, as I’ll be getting off before there, at the city with (in my humble opinion) the best cathedral of them all - York Minster! I spent three years in the city, studying at the University, and while I was there I sang in the Minster Choir. The building itself is a serious feat of Medieval engineering. The octagonal Chapter house there has one of the best acoustics for a Capella singing in the world, largely because of an incredibly complex roof structure.Anyway, enough about 15th century architecture... We’re performing in the brilliant Northern Aldborough festival tonight. I’m looking forward to the chance to catch up with some old friends from my University days!It’s funny to think that in just a couple of weeks we’ll be off to Japan, Hong Kong, and China. Quite a way from my humble beginnings as a 19yr old Choral Scholar of York Minster... Lucky me!Hope you’re well, wherever you are. Back to staring out of the train window now.Nick