Salisbury

The Cathedral in Salisbury is splendid, and its spire, magnificent. Started in 1220 it was completed by 1258, with the Spire, the tallest in England (123m/404ft) added a generation later. The Cathedral Close is the largest and best preserved Cathedral Close in Britain. Cathedrals are usually situated in the heart of town, and have other buildings right up against them, so it’s impossible to take a good photograph. In Salisbury, the Cathedral is situated in the middle of a huge lawn.

It was market day, and we shopped around the town. In a fully equiped woodworking shop, furniture makers were producing sturdy wooden chairs as a special display in one store in Salisbury — we have seen chairs with a similar style, but these had perfect proportions. Would have liked to have one, but there is no way to get it into the camper and no easy way to get it home. (When we think of it 25 years later, why didn't we find a way!!!) Went into a large indoor flea market type of antique store, more like a warehouse. Bought a couple of small items.

We have seen several of what are called "Cathedral Close," but I can't describe exactly what it really is — it seems to be so different in one place after another. Google gets many hits for "Cathedral Close."

The web site for the Cathedral in Grafton, NSW, Australia, says: "The Cathedral Close consists of the area in which is located the Cathedral, the Cathedral Parish Centre, the Ministry Centre, the Bookshop, the Cathedral School, as well as several residences including the Deanery, Bishopsholme and other clergy's homes."