A Somerset church , Nynehead on the first day of Autum. For over 600 years , wedding , baptism and funeral gatherings have passed through this porch

I recall once visiting a tiny village church in the French Pyrenees.

The transept's supporting stone columns stand on low plinths whosae flat tops are decorated with stone balls about the size of tangerines. I noticed those on the side facing into the nave are nearly black and glossy whereas the others, like the building's limestone generally, retain their yellowy-cream colour.

It puzzled me for a while, then I realised the balls' patina was from thousands of hands. Generations must have used them as hand-holds when kneeling for Communion, for the 700 years of the church's existence.

Generations... maybe 4 per century.

So around 26 in that mid-13C French church, more than 24 in Nynehead.

Lovely! On my trip to England, I visited Boxley Church in Maidstone, Kent. I could have spent all day looking at the old tombstones. The vicar showed us inside where my ancestors worshipped centuries ago. Quite a moving experience!

Serene.....

I drove though Ledbury a couple of weeks or so ago, and thought, "I recognise that building!"- from one of your previous posts.

Splendid. Can you tell us where exactly?

[i][i]I swear that's the church I got married in dude.[/i] [i]Mind you, I was worse for wear at the time, lol.[/i][/i]

Was today the 1st day of Autumn????

😍 Wowwww!

Very nice! ❤️