Londonderry Air (The "London" is Silent)

We began our day in kind of a rush. Connor, the coach driver forgot to fuel the coach before picking up Ada and me, so we had to take care of that before picking up the kids, some of whom had been standing out in the cold for twenty minutes. And, one of them (mine), left the rectory in such a rush that he forgot his coat. Note to self: don't EVER leave the house without your coat in this land.

It's green, see?

We drove for quite a while over the countryside until reaching Derry/Londonderry/Derry (it all depends on your political leanings; Nationalists ALWAYS drop the "London."). I was on the wrong side of the bus to get any photos of the city upon our arrival ... or of the search party in the river looking for the body of someone who had recently jumped from the very impressive bridge. (Connor just pointed this out in in offhanded sort of way: It's a search party; a lot of folks choose to jump from this bridge.)

We pulled into the parking lot of an old folks home, screeching to a halt. The kids tumbled out of the bus and were immediately ushered into a day room filled with residents. They performed their entire repertoire, and the whole experience was lovely.  Some of the residents were tucked into their chairs right up next to the choir, some slept through the concert, and some were actively engaged in many of the songs. "Actively engaged" means all the things you might think it does: singing along, clapping wildly, making appreciative comments about the handsome young men...

Back on the bus we climbed, after being thanked most graciously by the activities director - who told the choir that they had never had anything like this before. :-( Seriously, people! Go sing at nursing homes! It's good for everybody.

Connor took us took us to the evening's concert venue: St. Colomb's Cathedral. The cathedral sits at the highest point of the entirely walled city of Derry, and is significant in the history of the city of Derry. We watched a three-part video of this history - fascinating stuff - and, church nerd that I am, I was especially interested to learn more about Cecil Frances Alexander, poet and hymn writer who is closely connected to this church. You know her, even if you think you don't. She wrote "Once In Royal David's City," "I Bind Unto Myself This Day," "All Things Bright And Beautiful," and hundreds of others. She was very interested in the education of children. Her husband was a bishop here- maybe archbishop (I can't remember). She was 6 years older than he, and it was quite a thing when they married. I think she sounds marvelous!

Steeple Selfie

This is one of my famous accidental photos. Not too bad! 

This is the window dedicated to Cecil Frances Alexander.

It references three hymns: Once In Royal David's City, There's A Green Hill Far Away, 

and All Things Bright And Beautiful.

Everyone was set loose for lunch and sightseeing. The weather was dreadful, or as I've begin to think of it, Irish. Harry's mom had told him of a particular pub, so that was first on our list. We sent her a photo so that she would know that he, too, is doing Ireland well.

Evan had been feeling a bit under the weather, so I broke off in search of Irish cough syrup. Oddly, I could find no bottle shop anywhere - but I did take time to walk the wall of the city (fascinating), and I may or may not have popped into a couple of shops.

 The City Wall

This is St. Augustine Church. I haven't been inside, I just think it's lovely. 

Over the doorway of a school. <3

Another view of the cathedral.

Everyone returned to the cathedral for a rehearsal prior to the concert. Daphne, one of the wardens, was simply lovely. When the kids went to change, she opened the Chapter House just for me - which is kind of a big deal, because the Chapter House is where the historical artifacts from the Siege of Derry are on display (and the CFAlexander artifacts).

As if that whole situation couldn't get any better, I was given a personal guided tour from Daphne's grandson, Clark.

Clark is Irish.
And he has a speech impediment.
And he's six.

I had to use all of my translating skills to even begin to understand him, but he was so charming that it was completely worth it. He's one of those church kids who knows all of the secret things about the building. "If you open this door - but don't open it! - you'll see all of the church's silver..."

Clark was very impressed that the choir had come "all the way from America." He told me that he had been to America to visit his uncle, so I asked him if he knew where his uncle lived. "Ummm... I believe he lives in a flat." (Right. Of course.)

I so wish I had taken a photo of him. I'm pretty sure that was the Best Part of my day.

I'm not sure that twenty people attended the concert, but those who did, were very appreciative. The rector made a point of complimenting the Gaelic piece. "Your pronunciation is better than ours - and certainly better than anything out of Hollywood!'

It was late, and the day had been long and cold. As we stepped outside the church, we saw this:

(John has chemo tomorrow. I am NOT singing that Fievel song. I'm NOT.)

We enjoyed a long, quiet drive back to our lodging and, i can't speak for anyone else, but I know I fell fast asleep, straightaway.