What a changing day! I’m in the Selby basin at the top of the lock, and when I passed through here about 2 weeks ago, there was a mat of duckweed, luminescent green, in the basin. When I arrived Wednesday, the weed was almost gone and the change was remarkable. Then, yesterday, the wind pushed duckweed from up canal, filling the basin, but this time, with rotting green-brown weed. The place smells like a sewage lagoon! I’m out of here this morning!
However, yesterday was great. Toured Selby, and particularly Selby Abbey. More than 900 years old, it was not demolished as were many during Henry VIII’s dissolution of monasteries, but became the parish church. Like a small cathedral in size and appearance, it has been extensively repaired after the collapse of the crossing tower in the mid-1800’s, and a fire in 1909. There is exceptional, old (1300’s) stained glass, and lots of well-explained interesting details ( a leper’s squint, where lepers could peer down this aperture and get a glimpse of the high altar, and some quirky carvings). The evening was caped by having an opportunity to ring their very fine bells. There are 12, and I was given the opportunity to ring within the 12 (a first for me). They made me feel most welcome, and the ringing was delightful in a fine chamber where we could easily hear (but not be deafened by) the bells.
Selby Abbey. The bells are in the central crossing tower.
