Over forty years ago I sat on this lawn in front of the great cathedral as part of a church party
I must confess I was bored
We had been paired off and I was sitting with a girl called Julie Hawn
She shared her sandwiches with me
Cheese and tomato
I explained to her how the cathedral had been built as she shared my lemonade
We were joined by three choirboys wearing silver shoes
Who shared the remainder of our picnic
Today that area of the lawn is empty save for a few late summer leaves
I sit where I last sat
The grass is not damp as I thought it might be and is soft to the touch
I look at the mighty tower and wonder how many people are looking at it
I share the moment with them
My wife joins me as my school friend had many years previously
We share sandwiches
Cheese and tomato
But there is no lemonade
Coffee is a poor substitute
At exactly seven minutes past four we are joined by three choirboys wearing silver shoes
They share our picnic
I explain to them how the cathedral was constructed
This interests them
Later they leave in a spaceship
Which had been hovering above the cathedral for many days
Salisbury August 31st 2016