Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester

Visited July 2017

Gloucester Cathedral stands on the site of an earlier monastic abbey, dating back to the 7th century. The cathedral was begun in the late 11th century, and has had numerous alterations since then.

It contains numerous tombs and memorials dating back to the Medieval period, up to the 21st century. Some of them are quite magnificent, being of the great and the good of the time. Amongst them are King Edward II of England (d. 1327), and Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror  (d.1134). There are also a number of simple, but no less interesting, wall and floor inscriptions to the deceased.

As well as that, the cathedral has magnificent fan-vaulted cloisters where some scenes from Harry Potter were filmed, and to top it all the tower tour, with magnificent views and a chance to see the cathedral bells, is not to be missed. 

Tomb of  Edward II

Tomb of Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror

Newmachar Kirkyard, December 2019

Newmachar Kirkyard

visited December 2019

The village of Newmachar is a growing commuter village these days, with a modern cemetery on the outskirts. 

In the middle of the village is the village kirkyard (graveyard or churchyard) surrounding the simple, late 18th Century Church of Scotland building (built 1791). The name suggests a link with St Machar's Cathedral in Aberdeen, and indeed this parish was separated from St Machar's in 1609. At the time it was known as Monkyebuck, but became known as Upper Machar from the end of the 17th century and as New Machar in the 18th century. Now it's simply Newmachar. 

The graves in the kirkyard are mostly 19th and 20th century, but worth a wander around.

Kensal Green Cemetery 2020

Kensal Green Cemetery

Visited February 2020

On a crisp late winter day this was a lovely place for an afternoon stroll. Not too many people around, the first early spring flowers starting to appear, the afternoon sunshine casting long shadows over the gravestones, and a feeling of the seasons about to change. Who knew that less than 2 months later the world would change so much!