Tours by Mel #1: Saint David’s of Wales

Sometimes you have NO idea what you are asking someone to do for you!  This is one of those times.  When gracious and great host Mel inquires about what we might like to see or do as we visit her country, we say: “Oh!  How about a visit to St. David’s?”  If I had done my research I would realize it was asking someone to spend almost two hours driving us to this village by the southern shore, where the massive church of St. David’s stands near the sea.  I had basically, no idea of the distance, nor really, the size of the cathedral.  When the distance was revealed, we tried to back out of it, but gracious great host Mel would have none of it.  We were going.  And, that was THAT.

Oh, MY.  It takes our breath away.  The little Episcopal Church, Saint David’s of Friday Harbor, that we attended for so many years, always seemed to be connected to this far away place in a far away land.  After all, both are named after Saint David of Wales, born in the year 500 A.D.  Both celebrate St. David’s Day with daffodils in vases and leek soup on the stove.  Both have daffodils planted around the grounds.  Both are part of the Anglican Communion.  There, it’s fair to say, the similarities sort of end.  

We stand...and look...and look some more....because we are now standing in that far away place and land.  The year is 2018.  

Feet on the ground.  Here we stand, inside this place and every bit of it feels HOLY.  

There are many side chapels and back chapels and tombs and gateways....but this is the main altar in the nave, or main worship space.

This smaller chapel is in the back of the church.  It’s a long walk past a daily office prayer chapel, over stone floors engraved with names of those gone before us...way, way before, and around the tombs that stand above ground.  

Yet another chance to light a candle.  I can never pass by without stopping with hope and prayer for health and safety.  I love this printed explanation of “why.”  Oh, you can read it in Welsh too!

The one I light is second from the right in the middle row.  First it flickers and then, settles into burning strong and bright.  Strong and bright, a good way to live this life we are given.  

Suddenly there is sound.  SOUND!  And just like that we are an audience for the dress rehearsal for tonight’s program.  A visiting choir, Vox Angelica and Vicars Choral fills the entire building with music...songs from...wait for it...Phantom of the Opera!  The acoustics are ... totally incredible.  We are now pinching ourselves as unbelievably we not only are visiting this place in this far away land, but we are listening to awesome voices fill the air and the sound floats down around us.

A little walk around outside and it’s time for lunch!

Steve overlooking the fields of St. David’s.  Perhaps thinking: “Oh, glad to not be in charge of mowing this!”

Gracious and Great Tour Guide (and Friend) Mel.

We cannot thank Mel enough for this awesome day.  But wait...Tour Day #2 is tomorrow!