I can hear the nuns singing in the loft, their symphony of voices echoing over the ornate wood working.... This is awesome. I would feel so small here. Lovely way to draw me in, Richard!
Beautiful old church. Well shot. I always look at the pews or seats in a church and think how uncomfortable they are. If they were comfy lounge chairs I'm sure more people would attend!!!
Beautifully composed, Richard. Perfect exposure too. I am glad you have passed an opinion on particular colour because I have done there same in one of my few colour uploads today (11th) and possibly alienated at least 50% of the population!
@karenamb@ingrid_marianna@tigerdreamer
I find your comments re the chairs interesting. When we first arrived here, the church we attended (not Paimpont Abbey) had an ongoing project to change their pews for chairs. FYI individual chairs are generally/often thought to be more comfortable over the duration of Mass. I disagree.
Paimpont Abbey, which has appeared in many of R's previous photos has pews and I've yet to hear anyone complain of discomfort after Mass; never more than an hour. It's worth remembering that during Mass, the congregation will sit or stand for short periods. The longest sitting period would not generally exceed 15-20 mins duration. For me, the change of position refreshes and sharpens both body and senses.
However, Paimpont Abbey, like many churches in France, regularly hosts concerts which generally last between 1h 30m - 2hrs. This prolonged duration, never factored into the original design of pews, often provokes restlessness, impatience or what on this side of the pond is known as ants in the pants.
The cure? Some concert-goers bring cushions; the less experienced bundle up sweaters to assuage their buttocks; I shift my weight at regular intervals before buttock rigor mortis takes hold! Dog on my knee* provides a worthwhile distraction if/when numb bum has set in whilst I've been otherwise occupied with aforementioned concert performance!
In summary, give church chairs a chance: in this neck of the woods they have woven rush seats - moulding and comfortable. Concerts in local churches provide an unparalleled architectural backdrop, with excellent acoustics for a range of vocal and musical styles. Cost? At Paimpont, their is rarely a fixed cost so that all comers are welcome whatever their means.
* Whilst dogs are not permitted in the Abbey during Mass, dogs that can be carried/held are welcome at other times. Princesse,Mitzi's predecessor regularly accompanied me to concerts. This Summer, Mitzi will be similarly initiated! Musical Mitzi? Watch this space.
If you've read all of this, thank you! I hope you'll enjoy the next concert in your local church.
I find your comments re the chairs interesting. When we first arrived here, the church we attended (not Paimpont Abbey) had an ongoing project to change their pews for chairs. FYI individual chairs are generally/often thought to be more comfortable over the duration of Mass. I disagree.
Paimpont Abbey, which has appeared in many of R's previous photos has pews and I've yet to hear anyone complain of discomfort after Mass; never more than an hour. It's worth remembering that during Mass, the congregation will sit or stand for short periods. The longest sitting period would not generally exceed 15-20 mins duration. For me, the change of position refreshes and sharpens both body and senses.
However, Paimpont Abbey, like many churches in France, regularly hosts concerts which generally last between 1h 30m - 2hrs. This prolonged duration, never factored into the original design of pews, often provokes restlessness, impatience or what on this side of the pond is known as ants in the pants.
The cure? Some concert-goers bring cushions; the less experienced bundle up sweaters to assuage their buttocks; I shift my weight at regular intervals before buttock rigor mortis takes hold! Dog on my knee* provides a worthwhile distraction if/when numb bum has set in whilst I've been otherwise occupied with aforementioned concert performance!
In summary, give church chairs a chance: in this neck of the woods they have woven rush seats - moulding and comfortable. Concerts in local churches provide an unparalleled architectural backdrop, with excellent acoustics for a range of vocal and musical styles. Cost? At Paimpont, their is rarely a fixed cost so that all comers are welcome whatever their means.
* Whilst dogs are not permitted in the Abbey during Mass, dogs that can be carried/held are welcome at other times. Princesse,Mitzi's predecessor regularly accompanied me to concerts. This Summer, Mitzi will be similarly initiated! Musical Mitzi? Watch this space.
If you've read all of this, thank you! I hope you'll enjoy the next concert in your local church.