What a glorious morning!

This is the beautiful Ampleforth Abbey in Yorkshire, a contemporary Benedictine monastery which I realised was only a few miles from where I slept last night. That made for an easy first decision about which direction to head. 

I arrived in time for the 9am Mass, sung in plainchant and we were encouraged to join in, no matter how falteringly. Participation, not performance, was the order of the day. I stayed in the silence for some time at the end, just praying the Jesus Prayer and enjoying God's presence.

And afterwards the tea room had just opened so I treated myself to a cuppa, which I've just finished. The sun is shining. What a great start to the day.

///folds.chuckling.hairspray