"Poor C Staircase, locked up in a cell"

Apologies to Tim Rice for ripping off his lyrics there....

It's been a bit busy these last few days of term since timetabled activities finished and lots of other things crept in. So I now have a backlog of things to write about, as well as trying to finish off the essays that are due in soon. But I can only read so many books in a day before I need to do something else, and writing this is a welcome alternative.

About a week ago we had 'College Quiet Day', where each staircase group does something quiet and reflective for a day, instead of hiding in studies. Last year we went to Coventry Cathedral, new haunt of Bishop Chris Cocksworth, former Ridley Principal. This year students and spouses alike* jumped on the train at Cambridge station and got off at Norwich. There we enjoyed a nice wander around Norwich Cathedral, stopping off in a side chapel for a contemplation of Psalm 23.

After which we had a guided tour and lunch at a 'New Frontiers' church, where none of my female colleagues were bold enough to enquire as to their opinions on the role of women in church leadership. That aside, this is a great example of a church with vision, engaging in the community by running a cafe and conference centre in the week and using for themselves. The profits from the business more than pay for the running costs of the buildings, allowing them the funds to further expand their ministry into other areas of Norwich.

Finally, we visited the Julian Centre, where Julian of Norwich withdrew from the worldly life in the 1500's, living in solitude in her cell for most of her long life. After observing the interesting juxtaposition of nativity animals (left) we then tried not to giggle as we were told the story of Julian. Once we had calmed down , we spent 20 minutes in a led meditation / breathing exercise in Julian's cell. Except it wasn't really her cell, as the building was flattened in WWII, and when it was rebuilt it was made bigger, with a doorway brought in from somewhere else, a bigger window, different floor etc, etc..... Not that this distracted me at the time. I was still thinking of the nativity scene.

And then it was back home for tea.

Thanks to Fred for the pictures.

* The stomach bug which was ravaging the college at the time prevented 2 students and 1 wife from attending. Which left Tash as the sole spouse representative!