The church of St Mary and St Helena is part of Elstow abbey, established in 1075, by Judith, the niece of William the Conqueror. At 4 pm this afternoon it was becoming silhouetted by sunset for about the 300,000th time. An avenue of pollarded limes - like a line of raised fists - leads between the tower and the church to the West door. The flag fluttered continuously as I sat and sketched. Cold prevented me from staying for more than an hour. |