For about thirty years I've
called in churches and even bought some books on them. Sometimes I can often
identify the periods they belong to - Norman, Transitional, Decorated,
Perpendicular and Victorian. It seems that that Victorian era saw the end of beautiful
churches and none have been built since. The new ones seem blandly forgettable
and if I went inside one I'd probably feel cheated by the lack of architectural
delights.
Nowadays they're usually locked. In films people
are always calling into churches but in real life I found the doors don't
resist to a hearty shove. The ones in remote countryside seem to be open
though. I remember one church with a sign on the door saying, "Close door to
prevent sheep coming in" and I've seen a few others where birds entering
are obviously a nuisance. One quaint coastal church in Wales had straw on the
floor.
Sometimes I've been in the church when sunbeams
are hitting the windows and the floor and inner walls are alight with a kaleidoscope
of reds, yellows, blues and greens. A century ago someone must have sat where I
sat and observed the same affect.
Anyway, here's a pit-stop painting - meaning it
was done quickly in about thirty minutes. It makes me think of new sunlight
through old windows.