Singing in the rain!

I wonder if you know immediately where these good folk are queuing? It's not very obvious but the umbrellas, courtesy of Northumbrian water, proclaimed "What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again". Most people looked a bit glum because everything was running late. Read on......

I took Mum to Durham today to see the Lindisfarne gospels exhibition. (There happens to be a photographic exhibition in the Galilee Chapel from Durham Photographic Society. All images are related to Durham Cathedral and there is some excellent work.)

We had tickets for the 2pm slot for the main show, but had to wait quite a long time before we were allowed into the Palace Library to queue again. It's the sort of exhibition where everyone takes a long time. It's very interesting and there are lots of other early gospel books and artefacts to see. In fact, the Lindisfarne Gospel was rather disappointing. Last time it came to Durham it was held open at the beginning of a gospel with a magnificently decorated frontispiece on view. They changed which gospel every week I think. This time it's a page showing the canonical tables...... not very exciting, although you do see the beautiful even penwork and some fine patterns.

We did like the jewelled cross, found in the folds of Cuthbert's cloak in his coffin. It dates from his time.

If you go to the exhibition, do take a fleece or woollies because it's pretty cold inside!

The promised heavy rain never came and it's still quite hot here.