A Nice Day Out

My last day out read "glorious weather made for a lovely day out", we had the windows open in the car and I spent a good part of the day wearing a short sleeve t-shirt. That was just seven days ago, yesterday's day out was cold, rain and a vicious wind. I had a day trip to St Albans a Hertfordshire market town, originally the Celtic Iron Age settlement of Verlamion. After the Roman conquest of Britain in AD 43 it developed as Verulamium and became one of the largest towns in Roman Britain but was later destroyed during the revolt of Boudicca in AD 60-61 before being rebuilt. The town is named after Alban a pagan who was converted to Christianity when he sheltered a Christian priest. The legend goes that Alban switched cloaks with the priest and was arrested in his stead by Roman soldiers and subsequently executed for his faith. Alban’s declaration “I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things” is still used in prayer at St Albans Cathedral. He was later made a saint and named as the first Christian martyr. Historically a market town, it grew in importance, gaining city status in 1877, largely due to its cathedral which is HUGE. 

My friend M didn't go because she has a cold. The coach dropped us off in the High Street, after a coffee and croissant I headed in search of the cathedral. I visited a few shops and looked at a few restaurants with lunch in mind and then lost sight of the cathedral! but I knew it was somewhere near.

I explored an alley with some lovely small shops

and came out in the cathedral grounds.

It's the 137th anniversary of the foundation of St Albans High School for Girls and preparations were under way for a service of thanksgiving.

There was a good exhibition from a local college exploring the themes of Shrines and Homes

oOo

Time for lunch. 

There were so many eating places

it was hard to choose - sandwich, soup, a roast.

Because I hadn't had breakfast I decided on a small English all day breakfast

at the courtroom cafe in the museum. 

Bacon, sausage, mushroom, tomato, hash brownies and a perfect runny poached egg on a slice of toast, delicious

This is where the accused entered the court

from the holding cell below. The courtroom was in use from 1831 right up to the 1960's when the court was moved to a new location.

Some cells are now toilets

Judges chair

There were some interesting but sad cases

If you click on the images you should be able to read the transcripts

The museum was small but very good

Famous people with a connection to St Albans

I think it's a parrot

At one time there were 92 pub in and around St Albans!

Fragility is Strength

The bricks have London Brick on them, my father worked for

the London Brick company in Bedford.

Before boarding the coach for home I had time to buy a jumper

from a charity shop and visit St Peter's church

I was lucky with the weather, the worst of it was when I was having lunch.

But it was very windy and cold

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x