As Bill was sleeping in...What to do with myself now that I was a solo act? I decided not to sight-see in town because I figured that I would do that with Bill tomorrow. I got directions on how to travel out of the city to Rosslyn Chapel. I first needed to take the local bus up the street from our hotel into town and then switch to a different bus to the town of Rosslyn. The entire trip should take a hour by bus and I thought seeing the countryside would be a nice relaxing experience. I chose this way as oppose to the many tour buses that go to the Chapel because I never liked the idea of someone telling what time to go, leave and where to meet. I prefer my own timetable and am willing to sacrifice a little security of having someone drive me. The independence and good feeling of finding my own way even at the cost of making mistakes is worth it to me.
I stopped in town at the TI center to pick up a bus map, some tourist information and double check where to get the bus. A nice accommodation that the local city provides is an accurate timetable of when buses will arrive. I saw that my number 15 bus to Rosslyn would not arrive for 25 minutes. I made a quick stop to get a double espresso and pick up a yogurt for the ride Having time to spare, i sat down and started up a conversation with an elderly couple sitting next to me. They informed me that all the hoopla at St. Giles Cathedral yesterday not only had to do with Parliament but that the Prince was in attendance as well. We exchanged other pleasantries and local information. I have found in my experiences that elderly people are more willing to be generous with their time and chat you up. Maybe it is because they have more time on their hands. Or as I believe and have witnessed the elderly get short shifted from doctors, other "professionals", the people around them who because they are older and slower do not engaged them as much. Therefore, when the opportunity arises for a conversation and have someone show interest and listen, they are happy to oblige. It is just an observation, not a fact but when I travel and especially alone I engage an elder past retirement age person in conversation. Then the final possibility could be is that they are the only group of people who like being bother with me.
The bus ride did not disappoint. I took a seat on the second level for the panoramic view
settled in an relaxed. My bus fare was included as I bought an all day ride ticket for what is about five bucks US currency. Just as i had hoped once we passed the city limits I was
treated to a nice view of the rolling countryside. We arrived at the Chapel in 45 minutes and a short walk along a country road took me to the entrance. I hope this link works http://learning.rosslynchapel.com/
As those who have interest can read. I will post some photos below. If you have ever read or heard anything about the Chapel and with all the Dan Brown and Knights Templar hoopla surrounding the book and movie as it would be difficult not to have, then you understand the visual and mental treat that a direct visit would bring. They are doing renovation on The Chapel so when you arrive in the waiting area they have these learning boards and diagrams showing you the entire painstaking process of the Historical renovation. I have taken some photos of that as well but I do not know if the writing will show up large enough to read.
The Chapel was intended to be part of a larger church but the owner died before it was completed. While by no means a massive building in comparison to a Church or Cathedral, it is packed with more square feet of tombs, symbolism, meaning,interpretation and detail than any
other religious building that I have seen. I will leave you to read on you own.
I finally got back to the hotel about 6 PM a few minutes before Bill had awoken, and was now
sitting on the couch reading his Kindle. I asked and found out he was hungry and off we went to a fine meal at a local pub called The Old Bell Inn. Bill wanted to order just soup and I said that was out of the question as he needed a protein and carb based meal in order to keep up his strength. We both had the salmon, with roasted potatoes and I ordered a lentil soup that we shared.
I stopped in town at the TI center to pick up a bus map, some tourist information and double check where to get the bus. A nice accommodation that the local city provides is an accurate timetable of when buses will arrive. I saw that my number 15 bus to Rosslyn would not arrive for 25 minutes. I made a quick stop to get a double espresso and pick up a yogurt for the ride Having time to spare, i sat down and started up a conversation with an elderly couple sitting next to me. They informed me that all the hoopla at St. Giles Cathedral yesterday not only had to do with Parliament but that the Prince was in attendance as well. We exchanged other pleasantries and local information. I have found in my experiences that elderly people are more willing to be generous with their time and chat you up. Maybe it is because they have more time on their hands. Or as I believe and have witnessed the elderly get short shifted from doctors, other "professionals", the people around them who because they are older and slower do not engaged them as much. Therefore, when the opportunity arises for a conversation and have someone show interest and listen, they are happy to oblige. It is just an observation, not a fact but when I travel and especially alone I engage an elder past retirement age person in conversation. Then the final possibility could be is that they are the only group of people who like being bother with me.
The bus ride did not disappoint. I took a seat on the second level for the panoramic view
settled in an relaxed. My bus fare was included as I bought an all day ride ticket for what is about five bucks US currency. Just as i had hoped once we passed the city limits I was
treated to a nice view of the rolling countryside. We arrived at the Chapel in 45 minutes and a short walk along a country road took me to the entrance. I hope this link works http://learning.rosslynchapel.com/
As those who have interest can read. I will post some photos below. If you have ever read or heard anything about the Chapel and with all the Dan Brown and Knights Templar hoopla surrounding the book and movie as it would be difficult not to have, then you understand the visual and mental treat that a direct visit would bring. They are doing renovation on The Chapel so when you arrive in the waiting area they have these learning boards and diagrams showing you the entire painstaking process of the Historical renovation. I have taken some photos of that as well but I do not know if the writing will show up large enough to read.
The Chapel was intended to be part of a larger church but the owner died before it was completed. While by no means a massive building in comparison to a Church or Cathedral, it is packed with more square feet of tombs, symbolism, meaning,interpretation and detail than any
other religious building that I have seen. I will leave you to read on you own.
I finally got back to the hotel about 6 PM a few minutes before Bill had awoken, and was now
sitting on the couch reading his Kindle. I asked and found out he was hungry and off we went to a fine meal at a local pub called The Old Bell Inn. Bill wanted to order just soup and I said that was out of the question as he needed a protein and carb based meal in order to keep up his strength. We both had the salmon, with roasted potatoes and I ordered a lentil soup that we shared.
The vaulted ceiling.
Apprentice column.
The master builder was away and upon his return was so enraged with jealousy over his apprentice's work he killed him in a fit of rage.
The side nave.
The eastern side
The catacomb.
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