In and around Blackburn Cathedral

After a misty start to the morning, the joy was immense as the Sun shone and a blue sky graced our day. I finished knitting a blue and rainbow wool scarf.
As Maria was only home for a short visit, we enjoyed a restful time last evening, catching up on favourite television series and Downton Abbey, as she had travelled home yesterday, with Paul from Reigate, where there was a family celebration for the 60 years of marriage of Paul's parents.
Their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.
So this morning we went on the train to Blackburn, to see an exhibition of our neighbour Patrick's paintings of Blacburn cathedral displayed in the crypt until 29th November 2014.
They are watercolour paintings and charcoal studies, all being very inspiring and evocative of the architectural magnificence of the cathedral.
Maria waited while I took a few photos of key features of this vastly wonderful place of worship, that embraces a wide span of history, including the sunlight casting colour rays through the Lantern stained glass window above the altar.
We went shopping in the market and town centre and enjoyed that.
Maria had a heavy wheeled suitcase to negotiate across the roads and cobbled streets. Town is full of Christmas joy ans sparkle.
We went to Primark, H&M, Debenhams, to browse and to spray on Miracle by Lancome and then to M&S for a chocolate ginger biscuit snack.
Maria went to buy a sausage pastry from Pound Bakery and we sat on a clean steel bench to eat the snacks.
I bought us each a small succulent plant from a nearby florist.
The train times home worked out well and the time together was a good blessing.
Maria stayed on the train to Accrington and waited there for the
York connection, while I stayed on the train and travelled home to Rishton.
Arthur our dear cat was waiting for his lunch.