A few days in France - Caudebec-en-Caux

We’re just back from a short trip to France: short but full of fascinating sights. We stayed for the first two days at Caudebec-en-Caux which is on the Seine between Rouen and Le Havre. The Seine is very wide here and as well as river cruise boats there was a fair amount of commercial traffic – including the cruise ship “Black Watch” which sailed downstream one afternoon. Rather surprisingly there were no small pleasure boats.

Looking upstream from Caudebec: the bridge is the Pont de Brotonne

The architecture of much of the town was the usual exotic style. The Manoir de Rétival, which overlooks the town, is actually a restaurant. Its web site claims it’s not an hotel, rather “Le séjour se déroule dans une atmosphère familial” (translated on the web as “A private atmosphere makes your experience of sojourn stand out.”) Very French.

The Manoir de Rétival

Dedication of new kneelers at Little Hampden Church

Bishop Alan dedicated some wonderful new altar kneelers at Little Hampden Church at a service of Evensong this evening. The Service was lead by Rev Caroline Bailey and was followed by drinks and nibbles.

The old kneelers were falling apart. Jeanette Green designed the new kneelers, using the colours in the windows as inspiration. Some of the Little Hampden congregation  ladies started to make the kneelers but they were not experienced enough so Jeanette, together with Kathy Featherstone and Lois Shoesmith completed them. Tonight’s service was a celebration of their work; unfortunately Kathy and Lois couldn’t attend but Jeanette was presented with flowers and a special gift.

Harvest at Little Hampden

Wonderful sights in the field next to us tonight: