8 Oct. - Salisbury

 Image: Oak scaffold ascending the interior of the astonishing masonry spire

Its entire purpose still bewilders my modern irreligious mind, but it is impossible not to be impressed by the scale of ambition, (greed?), sway, wealth, effort + sheer bloody-mindedness - a generation of singular dedication by an entire, wide community - to achieve such a feat as to construct a cathedral so genuinely awe-inspiring. One can scarce imagine its impact upon a peasant mind of nearly 800 years past.

To see + touch its hand-wrought iron clock, great oak beams, laboriously chiselled (+ polished) stones.
To walk upon encaustic tiles + see sunlight through mediaeval glass.
To hear its great bell toll + then feel the wind + sun - see the land far below - from the balconies surrounding the base of the octagonal, stone spire.

This is wondrous indeed + compresses time, makes faith irrelevant + brings joy + respect + astonishment to heart.

Notes: Salisbury Cathedral is truly astounding on so many counts. I shan't even attempt to enumerate them but simply implore you to make a long and leisurely visit to truly soak in its many glories. That said though, be sure to take the tower tour if you are able.