I went to carols in Christ Church this evening. I thought it might be quiet because of the storm (Storm Bram – sounds like a Dutch contribution to the storm naming party) but it was heaving and even though I arrived 15 minutes early, the nave was crammed with fellow carol enthusiasts so I sat off to the side where it was somehow much less satisfactory.
Mr. Waffle had bailed as he had got the wretched cold that Michael brought into the house. I had a bit of a headache myself and if we hadn’t paid €65 for our two tickets (more money than sense etc. but goes to the upkeep of the cathedral so a good cause), I might have bailed myself.
However, I did not bail and it was a case of virtue rewarded as the choir was great and Christ Church was a lovely venue (1000 years old in 2028 as the vicar/rector/dean – who can say – told us).
Despite the fact that there are so many lovely Christmas hymns that everyone knows, in my experience, choirs always do some challenging number that the choir director believes shows their range. There was a bit of that this evening – I’m looking at you King Jesus hath a Garden (Dutch Traditional) – but in general they stuck to the hits and we finished with a great “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”. Would 100% go again. And only just over an hour. A win.
Protestants certainly know how to charge, to get into a Catholic cathedral that’s 500 years older than their church.
Love carols in a church, and an hour sounds like the ideal amount of time!
Not feeling the Christmas spirit, Jennifer? Yes, Suzy, I strongly agree an hour is perfect. Apart from anything else, seats in churches are not exactly luxurious.