My night with the Monks!

Let me tell you about my evening, last night.. as I did something I've never done before. I visited St Albans Abbey, by night with a friend. The pair of us arrived a little late, so missed the drinks in the Abbots Kitchen where I'd been told we'd be met by a Monk! However, we snuck in the snake of people making their way to the huge front door. At first the pair of us weren't sure quite what we were about to experience as the first Monk we encountered made a gag outside the Abbey, that his fellow Monk had been on the wine as we were queuing up in front of the wrong door!

Once he'd explained that ahead of us was a trip back in time, we enterted the incredible Abbey, lit by candel light. With insense burning filling the nostrils it was indeed a wonderful spectacle. If you get the chance, you must go and see it by night. One by one the Monks did their bit, explaining the story of the Abbey and their roles in its maintenance. Did you know the Abbey costs £3000 per day to run!

My pal and I were a little confused by the Monk named 'Walter' as he explained he'd been in St Albans for 20 years, but then went on to describe how he was responsible for painting the ancient mural on the wall above us. The penny then dropped, he was playing a role.. Slow on the uptake I know. The whole time we were in the Abbey, we could hear the choral abilities of the Monks being played out and we learnt how they pray 8 times a day.. a fascinating and humble existence. 

The tour was brilliantly done, although we left still confused as to whether the Monks were actors or not as they were so charasmatic and intriguing. I hadn't any expectation of what I thought a Monk to be like seeing as my only reference point of a Monk is Friar Tuck and do you remember the episode from Sex in the City - where Samantha keeps meeting a Monk.. she calls Friar F**k...!!

It highlights the effort the Abbey are putting in to draw visitors as we should be proud of it's history. Also if you've not yet heard St Albans has its first Fashion Week in November, so you will see the Abbey in a whole new light again. Make sure you follow @StAFashionWeek

If you'd like to go on the candlelight tour, you still have time - all the details are here http://www.stalbanscathedral.org/visit/tours/abbey-by-night-tours

If you didn't hear when I got to see the Magna Carta, whilst it was on display at the Abbey, listen here..
http://soundcloud.com/nataliebonair/have-a-listen-to-why-you

Until the next time N x

Discovering what's on your doorstep

I moved to St Albans in July 2010. I'd done a recce of the city, having cycled around on my bike, spent an afternoon on a date with my now husband which also involved an ice cream under a tree in Veralamium Park. I was pretty sold on this beautiful Roman city. Fast forward nearly three years, and hosting a breafast radio show and planning a wedding has meant I've been so busy that I only went into St Albans Abbey, yesterday for the first time. I wanted to have a chat with the staff at Abbots Kitchen for my next podcast on www.styleinmycity.com I've never had a cuppa there, as it's always so  busy, but it's so lovely inside. I'll definately be going back.

As I pootled back up into town, my curiosity continued as I popped into Raindrops on Roses www.raindropsonroses.org.co.uk - the gorgeous gift shop, selling lush items to raise money for the Herts Against Cancer Charity and found a couple of lovely Mother's Day pressies. Again my first time in, despite walking past several times.

I was in town to catch up with Leonie, organiser of St Albans Film Festival www.stalbansfilmfestival.co.uk and see how her nerves were holding out for Friday's launch. You can hear the podcast later today.

It was so lovely, basking in the sunshine as I proudly walked around my city, making new discoveries as well as popping into some established friends. As we're out on Saturday night at Darcy's www.darcysrestaurant.co.uk for a film festival party with a Hollywood glamour theme, I went to say hello to the lovely Leah at www.thegreenboutique.co.uk and get some inspiration from her beautiful gowns, all pre-owned but to be worn again. Once again there was a bargain pair of Jimmy Choos still too small for me.

You see, I've led a somewhat nomadic existence doing the job I do, often in radio you have to go where the work is,so end up leaving friends behind and it takes time to settle. I used to live in Brigton which I loved, for it's quirky commuinity and independent feel and I felt that when I moved to St Albans, which was another reason for moving here.

Now, for the first time since moving to St Albans it really does feel like I'm settled.

This is a special town, with a real community sense both on Twitter and in reality. I had an interesting chat with a friend the other day about the state of St Albans High Street now HMV is closing down and we both agreed that hopefully the independents will continue to flourish and the city maintains it's beautiful appeal as somewhere different. After all it ain't cheap to live here, so why shouldn't it be unique. Here's hoping the attention the film festival gives to the city this weekend and other exciting ventures maintains the magic this city offers. N x