A Service of Remembrance in the Cathedral, Lunch, the Quadriga and the Museum.

Once again a very busy day, and once again almost too much to write about.  The day started with a service to mark the 40th anniversay of the twinning between Bath and Braunschweig.  We listened to a programme of English organ music, a wonderful sound in the space of the cathedral.  Both Bishops spoke of the special bond between the two cities, both of which  suffered similar fates during the last war, and both of which are  determined that it should never happen again.  After the service Bath roses were laid on the memorial which marks the bombing of BS on the nights of 14th/15th October 1944.  The photos left and below show the service taking place.  It was very moving, and I felt once again, so sorry to be leaving my adopted home.  We then had lunch in a nearby restaurant, just 14 of us from the twinning committee, the Mayor of Bath and his wife, the Bishop of Bath and Dr Hempel, Bishop of BS Cathedral.  I feel very privileged to be a part of this wonderful twinning association, long may it last. 

At 3pm we met for a visit to the viewing platform of Schloss Arkaden, where we saw the Quadriga at close quarters.  The day was so hot, 25c today, this cannot be right for October.  We later visited the Schloss Museum and saw the reconstructed interior of the old palace which was partially destroyed in the war.  Some of the state rooms have been  carefully restored from the original plans, even down to the silk wallpaper made in France and from the original designs and loom patterns.  We had an evening meal with friends tonight and tomorrow we are visiting Wolfenbuettel.  There is so much I could write about, but tonight I cannot write anymore.  The blog is playing up again, I cannot get it to do what I want!   I will stop now and drink more tea.