The equinox occurred at 21:47 GMT, signifying the beginning of the end of the year and the dominance of light over darkness. It’s a time to reflect on the past and prepare for the upcoming Christmas season. The author was on vacation and did not have to go into work, but his partner Jools still had a half-day to complete before being treated to a fancy lunch and drinks by her employers. The author dropped Jools off at work and then set out on a mini-churchcrawl. He drove to the far west of Kent, which is known for its winding roads and picturesque villages.
His first stop was the Penshurst Church, which is located near Penshurst Place, the home of the Sidney family since Tudor times. The church was built in the 15th century and features numerous memorials, including one that showcases the heads of the Sidney children in a cloud. The author took several pictures of the church, including its colorful roof beams and heraldic shields, and left £5 for the church.
Next, he went to Speldhurst, but there was no place to park near the church, and the porch doors were closed. He then went on to Groombridge and visited a small chapel with beautiful glass. He had been to this chapel before, but he wanted to redo his shots. However, it was pouring with rain, and he missed the church on the first pass. He went to the mini-roundabout, only to discover that both the churches in the village were in Sussex. He skipped the final village church and went straight to Tunbridge Wells, where he parked in a high-rise parking house and walked to the church.
A service was underway when the author arrived at the church, so he sat at the back and observed. He didn’t take Communion, but eight elderly parishioners did. The author was there to photograph the ceiling and the other details he hadn’t recorded during his previous visit. A warden confronted him about his presence, but he explained that he enjoyed taking pictures, and that was enough for him. After getting his shots, he left and kept his promise to a young man he had met earlier, giving him a fiver and declining a copy of The Big Issue.
The author had to pick up Jools in Folkestone, and he had 90 minutes to kill, so he stopped at Stop 24 services for coffee and something to eat. He picked Jools up at quarter past four and drove her home. This equinox marked the beginning of the end of the year and brought mixed emotions, happy and sad, but it was a time to be thankful and recognised for the good work you do.