Buckfast

The morning after the dream about washers noticed at reference 3, we thought it time to take another look at Buckfast Abbey. Which turned out to be more open than I had thought likely after perusal of their web site on my telephone.

Cherry

The canteen was more or less open, slightly modified. On the first visit, I took tea and something described on the menu as a Cherry Bakewell. Which turned out to be a flapjack with some white icing on top. No pretence at all about their being cooked on the premises. And closer inspection reveals that they were actually made in Honiton, on the other side of Exeter. And this afternoon that these very flapjacks feature in a very noisy video on the home page of reference 4. On the second visit, I took bacon and bean soup, which might well have been made on the premises. But I did not like it very much: thin, red and with too much salt. Followed by a couple of pies, adequate but not good. And I have been reminded that taking a chicken pie after a beef pie does not work very well. There seems to be some clash of flavours on the palette. A case of needs must, their having run out of beef. So not up to their usual standard. 

Onto to the Abbey, where I managed to register on some kind of track & trace enabled tablet set up at the entrance.

Some effective detailing

Some poor detailing

No attempt to frame the clock on the face of the tower. Looks like an after-thought, just stuck onto what had already been put in place. Very poor to my mind.

Good detailing

Hawksmoor managed so much better at Westminster. Towers which I was able to enjoy for many years on my way to work.

Weakening faith?

The Abbey authorities were not prepared to put as much trust in their Lord as the chap at reference 6. No touching and certainly no kissing.

A station of the Cross

Some compensation in the form of what was to my mind a very Catholic sort of crucifix. Very lurid.

More detailing

The detailer was right that a bit of contrast was needed by way of a base for the altar piece; not yet sure that this stripey gray is quite right. Perhaps it will grow on me.

Barbarossaleuchter

The Barbarossaleuchter looking as well as it can, given the poor hanging. On exit, I collared a trusty to ask why they had made this copy of the very old original in Aachen. He didn't know, but he went off to get someone who he thought would know. And her story was that the original monks had strong links to the continent, that one of them knew all about it and thought that it would be a good idea to have one at Buckfast. So A for effort but C for attainment. I think there is an expensive picture book about the history of the place to be had from their bookshop, so maybe I will fall for it on the next occasion.

Moaning apart, a fine destination for a day out. Plenty to see, appreciate and enjoy.

PS: as it has turned out, the last couple of weeks have not turned up any more washers. Clearly going off the boil.

Reference 1: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2020/10/araucaria.html. In the margins of the present visit.

Reference 2: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2020/02/courtauld-second-campaign.html. Finding out about the original Barbarossaleuchter, the one in Aachen.

Reference 3: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2020/10/washers.html.

Reference 4: https://www.devonvalebakery.com/.

Reference 5a: https://www.buckfast.org.uk/. The home of the well-known tonic wine, well known at least on the streets of Glasgow. Sadly, I did not like the stuff at all the last time that I tried it, so we still have a small bottle to dish out as a Christmas present at some point.

Reference 5b: https://www.buckfast.org.uk/vocations. A bit of the site I had not come across before today.

Reference 6: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2020/03/cups-and-crosses.html.