I travelled down to Exeter on the train this morning ready for some work here tomorrow. My intention was to visit the Cathedral this afternoon but sadly I had timed my visit exceptionally badly. The exterior was covered in scaffolding and as I walked in I was confronted with the surreal sight of a nave full of tables (about 50 of them) laid out for a big charity dinner this evening. As a result of this large parts of the building were cordoned off to prepare for the festivities and there was certainly no possibility of the sweeping wide-angle shots I had in mind. Instead I contented myself with focussing on smaller features. As you all know, I have a soft spot for old door furniture and I was delighted to find some great examples on the door to the vestry. I also liked this shot of some regimental flags I found hanging in the south transept. You often see such flags in British Cathedrals, frequently in a very fragile state, just like these ones. However, this was the first time I’d been able to use the light to capture their fragility effectively.

Just as I was finishing off my visit, the organist started practising and his repertoire simply completed the Dali-esque feel of the afternoon. He started quite innocuously with The Swan by Saint-Saens before moving on to a Sousa March (not exactly traditional Cathedral fare) rapidly followed by the theme from Mission Impossible. At that point I left the building in search of some sanity!!

wonderful the first one !!! have a great week end my friend, Ciao......... borogovoi · 2010-10-15: 19:13

The tables and chairs transform this shot to extraordinary! McMommy · 2010-10-15: 19:27

#1 is beautiful photodeclair · 2010-10-15: 19:27

All gorgeous, but I do love the second one. alison · 2010-10-15: 19:28

Helen, I live for symmetry - and that first shot takes my breath away! Such soft and serene colors and lighting. The second one is also a wonderful macro - love the focus. djnana · 2010-10-15: 20:06

Just beautiful... Great atmosphere! I love the first one so much. huiching · 2010-10-15: 20:13

Well you got some good shots anyway - that banner is great. Jarvo · 2010-10-15: 20:40

Sound like quite an experience! You did get some nice shots out of it, though!! lookagain · 2010-10-15: 20:52

Mission Impossible. Lol. I'm sorry you didn't get the shots but these are great! Love the first. ????? · 2010-10-15: 21:43

Lovely shots Helen - you had a nice little adventure there. :-) ????? · 2010-10-15: 22:36

Grand Helen and amazing josy63 · 2010-10-16: 00:27

I'm really glad that theCathedral was as it was...the shots are amazing. The first one is definitely surreal and it does look like a painting by someone with a vivid imagination... cariad · 2010-10-16: 02:37

they are exelent :P snowpie · 2010-10-16: 04:49

Lovely pictures! MsCumberdale · 2010-10-16: 06:01

The light on the stonework in #1 is wonderful - I think I'd be tempted to crop out the tables and chairs :-) davids · 2010-10-16: 06:36

a cathedral with tables!o_O table for two then please! lol:) onlyricky · 2010-10-16: 06:42

Love them! Nellinka · 2010-10-16: 07:59

Majestic! davidcardona · 2010-10-16: 09:01

Fantastic set! wildduck · 2010-10-16: 09:23

Fantastic set! And LOL at Mission impossible:)) Eiram · 2010-10-16: 09:58

Great texture in that first shot, wow! urmysunshine · 2010-10-16: 10:05

TTFS really like the second shot. MoMac · 2010-10-16: 11:23

The first shot conveys well the sense of the surreal you experienced. I think it is a fantastic shot Latecomer · 2010-10-16: 17:18

Certainly one of the most profane church interiors I've seen. Good thing JC isn't around to see it :) yellodog · 2010-10-16: 17:31

Something very satisfying about the 1st shot. Lynda · 2010-10-16: 18:47

Incredible set of photos! that first one is just fantastic! ????? · 2010-10-16: 20:19

beautiful as always. the first is really surreal!! perhaps unimaginable for someone like me who is a catholic :) like the second shot too miltonjacob · 2010-10-17: 06:13

Oh, wow, Helen, that mast have been quite a great afternoon!! First one straigt to my favorits. ;) Ryana · 2010-10-17: 08:51

the first one is very surreal indeed :) blu06 · 2010-10-17: 11:59

#1 WOW WOW WOW!! SheriJ · 2010-10-17: 17:03

Beautiful, I love it! Kozuka · 2010-10-18: 07:17

Wow! That 1st shot is gorgeous! nikkini · 2010-10-18: 15:50

The first shot is fantastic!! Unchained · 2010-10-20: 03:37

Wow, this is a great set, Helen. I love the first one and the second is fantastic as well. SunflowerGirl · 2010-10-20: 10:50

Tagged: exeter cathedral church architecture latch flag