What happened here?

Where else to go on a hot day but the (relatively tiny!) cathedral in Carlisle.  After an unsuccessful trip around the town to get parked, we made it safely back to where we parked at the weekend (cue rolled eyes).  I've visited a fair number of England's cathedrals in my time (a symptom of a non-misspent youth singing in church choirs and then the national cathedral singers choir) but never been to this one, which is tiny in comparison to many, but especially in relation to Liverpool which I think is the largest by some way.

The arch of the main blip made us laugh - there were a couple like this - almost but not quite arches.  Either they are not the mason's finest moment, or actually they ARE their finest moment - after coping with redesigns and rebuilds over the hundreds of years.  An unusually wonky sight.

More flattering photos are in the extras, parts of it were of course beautiful including the blue ceiling bedecked in stars and the grounds which were truly an old-fashioned cathdral close - you can see how the City grew up between the castle and the cathedral.

After a nice lunch in the cathedral cafe (a really lovely addition built in a sympathetic manner and surrounded by beautiful gardens full of butterfly friendly plants and lots of butterflies taking advantage) we are back at the accommodation to rouse the Bo from his teenage slumber for the hot afternoon ahead (though not as hot as predicted, it's ONLY 27 degrees...). We will staying in with our books and iced water until such time as we can get in the swimming pool.  Luxury.